Warner Bros.’s just announced that Ben Affleck, their controversial choice for Bruce Wayne in Batman vs Superman, has been forced to step down from the project. While this move is destined to spawn a horde of rumors, Warner Bros. has tried to clear up the mess as quickly as possible.

Remember that strange scheduling conflict we heard about earlier in the year? Ben Affleck was contracted to direct the pilot episode of the new Mafia themed tv show The Middle Man, which happened to be at the same time as the Batman vs Superman shoot. Well, we thought Warner Bros. fixed that whole problem, as they postponed the superhero team up flick to allow time for Affleck’s dalliance with television.

I guess we were all wrong, though, as Warner Bros. has cited that as the main reason for Affleck’s departure. Ben Affleck released this statement on twitter.

Which leads me into my next big reveal. Idris Elba. That’s right, the badass actor from Pacific Rim, Thor, and Luthor is our new Batman. Even though I was one of the few folks in love with Ben Affleck’s casting, I’m absolutely THRILLED with Elba. He is the perfect Batman. Between his dark, brooding silver screen personas and his superhero frame, he could very well be the best Bruce Wayne we’ve ever seen.

Here’s Warner Bros. official announcement via Twitter:

Again, I’m sad to see Ben Affleck depart Batman vs Superman. I don’t think he deserved all of that fanboy vitriol and he could’ve very well delivered a serviceable version of Bruce Wayne, but I’m kinda sorta glad he’s been forced to step aside. Idris Elba is the ideal Batman. He’s rough. Tough. And kinda suave as f***.

Make sure you check out the source link at the very bottom as well.