Yesterday marked 10 years since Ben Affleck was cast in the then-untitled Man of Steel sequel, later dubbed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The actor would go on to appear in Suicide Squad and two versions of Justice League, with all but the Snyder Cut being critically panned movies that fell short of meeting box office expectations. As a result, it was no great surprise when Affleck chose to walk away from the DC Extended Universe and Warner Bros.
We never got to see his version of The Batman, but there was some renewed hope when the actor shot cameos for The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Alas, with a reboot looming, DC Studios is now looking for a new Dark Knight to join Robert Pattinson's Elseworlds hero.
While Affleck's time as Batman was definitely rocky for him as an actor, there's no denying that he got a lot of great moments in the DCEU. To see a selection of our favourites a decade on from when he was first cast, you just need to hit the "Next" button below.
8. Running Into Danger
When we first met Ben Affleck's Batman, it was as Bruce Wayne. In a superb sequence showing us Superman's battle with General Zod from a very different perspective, Bruce raced through the streets of Metropolis in order to get to his employees in Wayne Enterprises.
It ultimately proves to be for nought when the building collapses and he's left fishing bodies from the rubble.
This did a great job of introducing us to the DCEU's Batman and at least offered some insight into why the Caped Crusader would later feel that the best way to deal with Superman would be to permanently put him down.
7. Beating Superman
Say what you will about Batman v Superman, but watching Bruce utilise any number of gadgets in order to give him an advantage over the Man of Steel was definitely satisfying.
Watching him kick Clark Kent's ass was also a treat for any fan of Gotham City's protector.
Whether it was him smashing a sink over Superman's head or swinging him around that abandoned warehouse like the Krytonian was nothing, Batman proved here that despite being just a man, he really is one of the world's best fighters...and even more formidable than Supes when they're put on a level playing field.
6. Warehouse Battle
Snyder's decision to have Batman kill remains divisive, though he's not the first big screen Caped Crusader to do so. Still, we can't deny how insanely badass it was seeing the Dark Knight totally decimate these guys in a fight scene that felt like it was torn straight out of the pages of the comics.
Batman is always supposed to be the biggest badass in the room and that was most definitely on show here.
No matter how Affleck is remembered as the character moving forward, it's only right for this to be remembered as one of the best Batman fight scenes to ever grace the big screen.
5. Inspiring The Flash
The less said about Affleck's goofy turn as Batman in The Flash, the better. However, this Justice League scene emphasises what a great hero the character can be when he's given the chance to show different sides of himself.
When Barry Allen is left overwhelmed by the responsibility suddenly on his shoulders, Batman takes him to one side and explains why saving just one person can make all the difference, inspiring the Scarlet Speedster to be the hero the Dark Knight knows he can be.
It's a great mentor/mentee moment and one that teased real potential for their unlikely, and now short-lived, friendship.
4. Lex Luthor Confrontation
A lengthier version of this scene was part of the extended cut of Batman v Superman but regardless of which one you watched first, there's no getting around the fact this frightening version of the Dark Knight was a joy to watch on screen.
After Lex Luthor orchestrated the death of Superman, Batman got his revenge on the villain by telling him that he would be sent to Arkham Asylum.
However, in doing so, the audience got a better understanding of how the Caped Crusader strikes fear into Gotham City's criminals. With even Lex quaking in his boots, this was a major humiliation for the villain and a showcase for Affleck's Batman.
3. Snyder Cut Return
This isn't a specific moment as such but more a reference to the fact Affleck returned to a role he'd walked away from simply to help Snyder fulfil his vision.
Zack Snyder's Justice League was released in 2021 and featured new Batman scenes both in the Knightmare future (we'll get to that) and in an epilogue that saw Bruce meet Martian Manhunter. It was cool, but even cooler was the actor's decision to reprise the role in this way.
It seemingly energised Afflect, hence why he signed up for The Flash, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and potentially more. Unfortunately, the DC Studios reboot means his time as Batman has once again ended.
2. Knightmare Batman
Taking aside how confusing and out of place this all felt, the Knightmare sequences were undeniably ambitious, intriguing, and a great way to place Batman in unique surroundings.
While we've since learned of plans to explore this post-apocalyptic future in Snyder's scrapped Justice League sequels, witnessing the hero battle these Parademons in a post-apocalyptic future was badass and a blast from start to finish.
As noted, the Snyder Cut elaborated on this world and finally gave us a scene featuring Affleck's Batman and Jared Leto's Joker (which was, admittedly, pretty weird).
1. THE Suit
Snyder was heavily inspired by the work of Frank Miller when it came to bringing Batman to the big screen and getting to see the armoured suit from The Dark Knight Returns in live-action was a definite highlight.
It's also probably not something we'll see again for a very long time (especially given how different Matt Reeves' approach to Bruce Wayne has been thus far).
The filmmaker did an incredible job of bringing the suit to life and watching Affleck kick Superman's butt while wearing it was unbelievably cool. DC Studios' The Brave and the Bold will struggle to ever top this comic-accurate design, that's for sure!