Ben Affleck's take on Bruce Wayne/Batman was heavily rumored to return for James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom during production, and star Jason Momoa actually announced his Justice League co-star's involvement in an Instagram post last year.
This obviously indicated that Affleck did shoot scenes for the film, but reports from test-screenings claimed he was nowhere to be seen, seemingly confirming that Warner Bros. made the decision to remove the character from the DC sequel.
Since then, it's come to light that the Lost Kingdom shoot wasn't exactly plain sailing, with reports of behind-the-scenes turmoil and extensive reshoots that altered significant aspects of the story.
While speaking to Empire for their latest issue, Wan was asked if we might still see Affleck's Caped Crusader in the movie.
"Probably not. All I'll say is that those scenes were just to have something in the bank in case we needed to explain time continuity if we came out first”.
This does actually gel with previous reports. Both Affleck and Michael Keaton's takes on the Dark Knight were said to feature in the sequel at one point, which studio execs were concerned about since it could potentially confuse audiences. Wan seems to be suggesting that the idea was scrapped when the decision was made to release The Flash first.
"Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, no, after w balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to swim into theaters on December 20.