The Dark Knight's Moral Dilemma: Which Live-Action Batman Has Broken the Main Rule?

The Ever-Changing Face of Batman

The character of Batman has had many iterations over the years, each bringing new interpretations of Gotham's Dark Knight. From the campy and colorful portrayal in Batman & Robin to the dark and brooding atmosphere in The Batman, every version has showcased a unique approach to the iconic hero.

Ben Affleck as Batman in Zack Snyder's Justice League, standing on top of a gargoyle and looking down.

Throughout the vast DC Universe, the different timelines have presented Bruce Wayne in various lights, some of which have strayed significantly from the core principles of the character. This diversity in tone, style, and storytelling has led to the bending and breaking of the main rule that defines Batman.

Ben Affleck as Batman in the batcave in the DCEU

The Most Deadly Batman: Ben Affleck's Portrayal

Among the live-action Batmen, Ben Affleck's version stands out as the most deadly, having broken the main rule of not killing more than any other iteration. His use of lethal force in Batman v Superman and the Batmobile chase scene demonstrated the extent to which he strayed from the traditional moral code of the character.

In the DCEU's Knightmare sequence, Affleck's Batman further deviated from the character's principles by using a gun to mow down allies of Injustice Superman. This portrayal of Batman as a lethal force was a departure from the more morally upright depictions seen in other iterations.

While the exact number of casualties is difficult to outline, it is evident that Affleck's Batman has taken the lives of at least 30 people across his DCEU journey. This makes him the most deadly interpretation of the Dark Knight in live-action portrayals.

The Darker Nature of Ben Affleck's Batman

The reasons behind Ben Affleck's Batman being the most deadly are deeply rooted in the character's portrayal within the DCEU. Driven by filmmaker Zack Snyder's vision, Affleck's Batman embodies a much more morally questionable version of the character, particularly in his combat sequences.

Snyder's commitment to gritty, realistic, gray-area stories shaped the DCEU's Batman into a cynical, brutal, and deadly figure. Affleck's Bruce Wayne, being older and having experienced significant loss, is depicted as much darker and more jaded than previous live-action interpretations, contributing to his lethal tendencies.