Variety is reporting that Ben Affleck will be the new Batman. The news, reportedly coming straight from Warner Bros., means that he'll be starring opposite Henry Cavill in the 2015 Batman / Superman movie. Affleck has gained critical recognition for his more recent work — especially with Argo — but Batman lovers will have to block out any memories of Affleck's Daredevil they haven't managed to burn away in an indignant fire of righteous comic fan anger.

The Wrap quotes Warner Bros. president Greg Silverman, who says "We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some." Zack Snyder, who will direct the film, says of Affleck: "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." So the people making the film are as predictably enthusiastic as you'd expect.

The new film is currently being scripted and production is expected to begin next year.