Warner Bros has announced that one of the studio’s most prized collaborators, Ben Affleck, will play Batman in the studio’s forthcoming Man Of Steel sequel.

As previously reported at Comic-Con in July, Zack Snyder will once again team up with his Man Of Steel star Henry Cavill in the role of Superman. Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane also return.

The untitled project is scheduled to open worldwide on Jul 17, 2015. Man Of Steel grossed more than $649m worldwide this summer.

Affleck’s Argo earned the best picture Oscar earlier this year. Affleck has played a superhero before, starring in the title role of Fox’s maligned Daredevil back in 2003. He also played Superman actor George Reeves in 2006 drama Hollywoodland.

“Ben provides an interesting counterbalance to Henry’s Superman,” said Snyder. “He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”

“We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman,” said Warner Bros president of worldwide marketing and international distribution Sue Kroll.

“He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”

Christian Bale previously played Batman in Christopher Nolan’s hit Dark Knight trilogy and was preceeded by George Clooney, Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton in the 1990s incarnation of the vigilante crimefighter.

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