'Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice' Cast News: Ben Affleck to Star in New 'Batman' Movie

DC Comics has already released its slate of new superhero films up until 2018, and with that comes a new "Batman" movie. Of course, since Ben Affleck is already playing the part of the caped crusader in the upcoming "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice", fans pretty much figured out he's going to reprise the role for the standalone film.

However, according to Deadline, Affleck will not only be starring in it, he will also be directing and co-writing the film with Geoff Johns, writer and Chief Creative Officer at DC Entertainment.

The website also mentioned that rumor mills already said as early as last year that Affleck's deal with Warner Bros came hand-in-hand with helming a film. In fact, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck made directing the Batman standalone a condition when he signed his contract back in 2013.

Without confirmation from the studio, however, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt. The directorial role for Affleck seems to be true, though, and rumors say that Warner may announce it formally during the Comic Con this weekend.

While it is too early for reports about the Batman standalone plot, Entertainment Weekly reported that the film will be set after the events of "Dawn of Justice" and the 2017 flick, "Justice League," where many DC heroes will unite, much like Marvel's "The Avengers" films.

Affleck is no stranger to going behind the scenes. He has previously directed films, including "Gone Baby Gone", "The Town", and "Argo". Website Coming Soon.net also noted that he will direct his next feature as well, a film based on a Dennis Lehane novel, "Live By Night."

Johns, on the other hand, has written several issues for "Batman" as well as the two volumes of "Batman: Earth One." He has also written a few of the episodes for DC Entertainment series such as "Smallville", "Arrow", and "The Flash".

News of Affleck's level of involvement for the standalone Batman film is expected to be addressed when he takes the stage during the San Diego Comic-Con panel presentation on Saturday, together with other "Dawn of Justice" cast members Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, and Holly Hunter, as well as film director Zack Snyder.

Ben Affleck will debut as the caped crusader in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" on March 25, 2016 and will reprise his role in "Justice League: Part One" on November 17, 2017.