Hot on the heels that Warner are following up *Man Of Steel* with *Batman vs. Superman*, and that they were taking their story cues from the excellent *The Dark Knight Returns* graphic novel by Frank Miller, and that they were rumoured to be auditioning older actors to play a Dark Knight who would convey the deep hatred of Supes’ red, white and blue sensibilities, they announced today that they’ve decided to go with…Ben Affleck.

Yep.

He of *Daredevil* and *Gigli* fame, who by all accounts is a very nice man, will be donning the cowl and gravelly voice to follow in Christian Bale’s booted footsteps.

I’m kind of hoping it’s a ridiculously convoluted hoax at this point. There’s no denying that Affleck can shine with the right material, but I think casting him as Batman is a terrible decision. At least we know that Warner aren’t going to try and replicate the deep relationships between the two that was the whole backbone of *TDKR* – this is going to be an effects-heavy cashgrab with some kind of last-minute voodoo magic ensuring that Batman isn’t flicked into the sun within the first 8 milliseconds of their fight.

Come on, Warner. Prove me wrong. *Please*.

I’d even take Clooney back at this point.

Gah.