Ben Affleck is the new Batman

Ben Affleck is the new Batman. Photo / AP

Ben Affleck is set to take over from Christian Bale as Batman.

The Oscar-winning director and actor will star alongside Henry Cavill in the sequel to the hit Superman flick Man of Steel, Warner Bros. announced this afternoon.

300 director Zack Snyder will helm the film, which will place Batman and Superman on the big screen together for the first time.

Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Richard Armitage had been considered frontrunners for the Batman role.

See Dominic Corry's blog on who should have played Batman.

Warner Bros. creative development president Greg Silverman said Affleck had been picked because he is an "extraordinary" talent, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics' most enduringly popular superheroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent, and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character."

Snyder said Affleck was perfect to play an older and wiser Batman.

"Ben provides an interesting counterbalance to Henry's Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him."

Affleck last played a superhero in the critically panned 2003 film Daredevil.

Fan reaction to his surprise appointment as Batman has been swift, with many expressing disappointment and anger.

David Murray Lewis said he hoped the movie would never air in New Zealand, in a post on the nzherald.co.nz Facebook page.

"Remember people, Affleck is the guy who made New Zealand out to be cowards in Argo."

Rack Jandall said the hire reflects all that's wrong in the movie business.

"It's decisions like these not people downloading movies that is killing Hollywood."

Nathan Bennison said Affleck was a bad choice for Batman.

"He better start working out. And not talk in his normal voice. And look different. And act different. And just pretty much be different."

Others registered their opposition on Twitter.

Batman and Superman to team up in new movie

Batman and Superman to team up in new film

Fans are now expecting fireworks from the two crime fighters

Continue reading the main story

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Superman and Batman are to appear in the same film for the first time, it has been revealed, to the delight of many fans of the popular characters.

The surprise announcement was made by Zack Snyder, who directed the most recent Superman film Man of Steel.

But speaking at a comic convention in San Diego, California, Mr Snyder said the script was still being written.

Production is expected to begin next year and the film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2015.

Warner Bros confirmed that the two superheroes would team up for the first time.

British actor Henry Cavill - who starred in Man of Steel - will again play Superman.

However, an actor for the new Batman is yet to be cast.

"They're both alpha males," fan Benjamin Ha was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. He added that he expected fireworks in the new film.

For many comic book enthusiasts it is a dream come true in what promises to be the ultimate superhero adventure, the BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles reports.

The enduring popularity of Superman and Batman has seen the latest films featuring the two characters earn revenues of more than $1bn (£655m) between them.

Man of Steel Trailer