Jason Momoa's King of the Seven Seas may reunite with the original DC Extended Universe Dark Knight, as new photos suggest that Ben Affleck will don Batman's cape and cowl once more in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.In response to a Twitter post proclaiming Affleck's return in The Lost Kingdom, user KC Walsh replied, "Looks like they are replacing the [Michael Keaton] scenes with Affleck, remember [Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom] was originally supposed to come out after The Flash and tear [sic] audiences were confused by his inclusion." This isn't the first bit of DCEU-related news Walsh has shared -- earlier in 2022, they unveiled reports that the DCEU was setting up a Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation and that Keaton's return as the Caped Crusader in the Flash movie owns a blue Batsuit in the film.
Affleck's supposed return to the role of Batman was first announced by Momoa on Instagram, where the actor posted photos of himself with Affleck and a video of himself going into Affleck's trailer. Additionally, Affleck's Batman was seen in the Shazam! Fury of the Gods trailer from San Diego Comic-Con 2022 via the use of archive footage from earlier Batfleck appearances. As of now, however, Warner Bros. has yet to confirm Affleck's return as the Caped Crusader.
In regard to The Lost Kingdom, a synopsis released in April revealed that the eponymous Marine Monarch will team up with his evil half-brother Ocean Master to battle "a stronger Black Manta and his army." It was reported that the movie will introduce Aquaman and Mera's son, Arthur Curry, Jr./Aquababy, a detail that was spoiled during the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp defamation trial.
Aquaman's return to the silver screen may also be a darker one. Returning director James Wan stated in 2020 that The Lost Kingdom would have horror elements in it, saying at the time, "Just like the first [Aquaman] movie had a touch of my horror sensibility, you know, in regards to the Trench sequence. I would say there will be a little bit of that in this next one." Wan would later note that The Lost Kingdom was inspired by Planet of the Vampires, adding, "You can take the boy out of horror but you can never take the horror out [of] the boy."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom swims into theaters on March 17, 2023.
Source: Twitter