The Batman: Robert Pattinson is frontrunner to play lead

Matt Reeves’ The Batman is expected to welcome Robert Pattinson, the new Bruce Wayne, according to a report from Variety.

After months of speculation and rumors on director Matt Reeves’ The Batman, set for a 2021 release, it seems the leading man and next Bruce Wayne — Ben Affleck’s replacement — is officially known, according to Variety.

That man is Robert Pattinson, famous for his work in the Twilight series, High Life and Netflix’s The Kings. The deal is not done, but this is the “top choice” and the deal is “expected to close shortly,” Variety added.

The news is groundbreaking for the new incarnation of the DCEU, as any time someone is cast to play the Caped Crusader, it creates a buzz, especially after the drama of the Justice League production and the sweeping changes that followed.

Pattinson replaces Affeck, who was expected to star and direct The Batman, until he left the project and subsequently stepped down from this role following roles in the aforementioned DC team-up film and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

DC Films also has a questionable Superman future, with Henry Cavil’s status still unknown for the long term. Few updates have followed this end of the spectrum.

The focus is Pattinson, though, who will eventually become one of the DCEU’s newest, brightest faces, joining a universe of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Zachary Levi’s Shazam, the Birds of Prey film with a 2020 release date and James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.

Obviously, Pattinson has a lineage of actors to live up to. Everyone from Adam West to Michael Keaton and Christian Bale, the star of the critically acclaimed trilogy from Christopher Nolan in 2005, 2008 and 2012. Affleck, while not the most regarded for his performance, is still a name to replace.

Moviegoers will not see Pattinson’s eventual debut for another two summers, but with the everchanging DC Extended Universe, the hype should increase over time for his take on this classic hero.