Earlier today, a pretty wacky rumour started doing the rounds online which claimed that Marvel Studios had put an offer out to Ben Affleck for a cameo role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The actor and filmmaker played the Man Without Fear in 2003's Daredevil, though it's not an experience he's ever spoken remotely positively about. The movie is widely considered to be terrible, but there was plenty to enjoy about Affleck's performance as Matt Murdock (particularly during those scenes with Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan).
Big Screen Leaks later weighed in on the rumour, saying "For obvious reasons, I was asked to keep this a secret but Marvel did indeed reach out to Affleck for a cameo as Daredevil. They sent out preliminary contracts to his team, but I'm not sure if anything came of it."
GWW's KC Walsh later added that he "saw a story that Marvel reached out to Affleck for a Daredevil cameo, this was something I heard as well, but I wouldn’t expect a cameo."
Why not? Well, while this cameo would have reportedly offered a sneak peek into the world inhabited by this "variant" Daredevil and given Affleck the opportunity to say goodbye to that role, the original rumour suggests Marvel Studios wasn't expecting him to agree to an appearance, likely because he's "too loyal" to Warner Bros. and wouldn't want to suit up as the character again.
It was reported last year that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' reshoots were adding a lot of Multiversal cameos to the movie, but this intel doesn't come from the most reliable of sources. Either way, it doesn't sound like Affleck will be making an appearance - a shame, but by no means the end of the world. We just hope the sequel doesn't become bogged down by too many cameos!
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to be released on May 6.