New developments on the Armie Hammer/Batman front as The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez, as well as several others, has now refuted the original report, citing studio sources. So, as I said in the original report, this unsurprisingly, turned out to be false.

Armie Hammer. Batman. Not true. — Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) February 19, 2019

I’m not in the business of debunking bunk but considering everyone got in a tizzy over this…there is no truth to the below. Being told there haven’t even been any actor meetings for THE BATMAN. (But that doesn’t mean Reeves and WB don’t have ideas of who they would like) https://t.co/8CB8aHARID — Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) February 19, 2019

Yeah, that BATMAN rumor is false. That said, potential for this week to be very interesting on a number fronts. Sleep tight. pic.twitter.com/HCHTIkLISK — Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) February 19, 2019

The original report is as follows:

Take this with A MASSIVE GRAIN OF SALT. The source of this report (or rumor as I’ll call it) does not have the best track record. But if proven true, then we finally know who will don the cape for Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

In a new exclusive from Mario F. Robels over at Revenge of the Fans, Armie Hammer is apparently in final negotiations to take on the role of Batman. Ben Affleck, who was the DCEU’s previous caped crusader, officially announced that he would be departing the role as Matt Reeves came on board to direct the character’s first solo feature since 2012.

The casting brings closure to a story that, indirectly, began way back in 2007 when George Miller cast Hammer as Batman for Justice League: Mortal. He would’ve played the Caped Crusader in the first-ever film about the iconic team, alongside D.J. Cotrona, Adam Brody.

As of now, Hammer is still not confirmed to play the character, with the report stating he hasn’t signed on the dotted line. The list of potential actors to take on Batman has been… interesting to say the least. Rumored actors included Ansel Elgort, Dylan O’Brien, Logan Lerman, Noah Centineo, Jack O’Connell, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Nicholas Hoult, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Hammer was apparently still in the mix to play the character but just wasn’t confirmed as part of the list above. He was however, apparently always considered THE frontrunner for the role.

Additionally, Robert Pattinson, who was also rumored for the part, is said to still be in discussions for the film, but as a villain. As of this writing, my sources have confirmed that Reeves’ film will feature multiple villains, with Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman all rumored to play a role in this new Batman tale.

Robles’ track record when it comes to these things is not the greatest. So if it turns out that this rumor isn’t true, we will update and/or delete the article accordingly. That being said, Hammer would be an amazing choice for the role, having the look, stature, and acting traits to take on the tortured but heroic character.

Until we get full confirmation on Hammer as Batman, keep it locked on Talkies Network for all the latest updates regarding this rumor!

Matt Reeves’ The Batman arrives in theaters on June 25, 2021.