As is the modern norm in the world of superhero Hollywood, when Ben Affleck was cast as the Caped Crusader for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the reaction was mixed, heated, and internet-busting. However, the savvy film goer inside all of us would have noticed just how critical and important this appointment was to Warner Bros., and few were shocked when the studio finally announced Affleck’s role as director for the upcoming solo Batman movie, putting an end to months of hints and speculation on the subject.

Affleck’s charming but powerful performance as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman, a blockbuster film that rippled with inconsistency, proved that he is the right man for the job — and many suspect his performance was the reason for Warner Bros.’ green light — but it’s time to address the major elephant in the Batcave, the vital question that every DC and Batman fan will be asking: Who will be the main villain?

Well, if the rumors are to be believed, we won’t be getting just one foe, but a whole handful of classic villains for the Dark Knight.

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According to Birth.Movies.Death, Ben Affleck and DC creative chief Geoff Johns have some big plans for the next Batman movie. A source of the website revealed the following.

“Many, if not most, members of Batman’s rogue’s gallery will be making appearances in the film. It’s going to be crammed with Bat villains, which means that just about every major bad guy you’ve ever wanted to see in a movie will be in this movie. According to my sources Affleck and Geoff Johns, who has been working with him on the film, want to make the definitive Batman film. They want to tell the ultimate Batman story, and to do so they’re going to bring in all the big guns. They’re going to have a big, sprawling Bat universe already in place.”

As many will know, Ben Affleck will star in and direct the new Batman movie, as well as co-writing the script with Geoff Johns, but it’s no secret that Affleck is a massive fan of the franchise; he once even had his own “Batcave,” according to Kevin Smith and Comic Book Movie. Add to that Johns’ sprawling involvement in DC as a whole, and you have a pretty unique combination, a duo with the potential to make something special. Making the “definitive Batman movie” will be a tall order, but if they can execute their vision with a number of infamous Bat baddies and an on-screen Batman who is very popular with fans right about now, it’s cause for major excitement.

Despite it being nothing more than rumor at this point, it doesn’t seem that unlikely. Suicide Squad will be released in late 2016, and that features a whole host of Batman foes, not to mention a cameo from the Dark Knight himself. Many expect the Joker to be the main focus of the incoming film — several hints planted in Batman v Superman suggested this — but anything can change in the world of superheroes. Let’s not forget that the Joker has twice featured in previous Batman installments, so Affleck and Johns might see this as a chance to push someone else into the spotlight. This was recently touched on in a previous article for The Inquisitr.

One thing is for certain; Batman can be highly entertaining when multiple foes are involved. True, Batman & Robin was a typical example of how this can go horribly wrong, but in recent years, the Batman: Arkham series of video games have proved that, with the right script and scenario, and the right balance of cameos, Easter eggs, and major roles, a whole host of villains can shine opposite the Caped Crusader. As the featured image on this article shows, Batman has a whole selection of enemies to choose from, so Affleck and Johns will certainly have a job making this selection. There’s no doubt that fans will be proposing their dream cast and wish lists in the near future.

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As it stands, Warner Bros. hasn’t released any official word on the matter, and no villains have been hinted at yet, but with Suicide Squad on the DC horizon, let the speculation run rife. There’s no doubt that Ben Affleck and Geoff Johns have the fans firmly in mind with this vision, and if they can pull it off, even better. They might not be using the Batman: Arkham games as inspiration for this venture — after all, the material is perfect for such a vision — but this could change; stranger things have happened.

Whatever they choose, the solo Batman movie is already garnering some major interest years before a potential release date. That can only be a good thing, right?

[Image via Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]