Robert Pattinson is reportedly set to be unveiled as the new Batman after edging out Nicholas Hoult for the coveted superhero role.
The Twilight star recently emerged as the frontrunner for the lead in director Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but on Thursday (May 30, 2019), Hoult’s name was thrown into the mix, with both actors said to be screen testing for the job in the Caped Crusader’s Batsuit, according to The Wrap.
Now sources tell Deadline studio bosses at Warner Bros. have given Pattinson the final thumbs up, and a formal announcement is expected to be made once an official deal has been signed.
If the news is true, the British actor will step into the role vacated by Ben Affleck, who portrayed the DC Comics superhero, aka Bruce Wayne, in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League. He also made a brief cameo in 2016’s Suicide Squad.
Affleck had also been due to star in and direct The Batman from a script he had co-written, but he subsequently handed over the reins of the project to Reeves in early 2017, and earlier this year (2019), confirmed he would not be reprising his role as the Dark Knight.
The Batman is now expected to begin production in London this autumn, ahead of summer, 2021 release.
