Solo Batman franchise tipped for Ben Affleck

In news that will surprise absolutely nobody, Ben Affleck has been tipped to take over the role of the Caped Crusader in his own solo franchise.

The rumours come following the contentious casting of Affleck in the role of Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel follow up, Batman Vs Superman.

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Bill 'Jet' Ramey, a writer for fan site Batman On Film, said his "fingers and toes" were crossed that Affleck would continue playing the superhero after Batman v Superman.

He said: "I don’t think he’ll play Batman forever (pun kinda intended). If I had to guess, I’d say five: BvS, three solo Batman films, and another DC team-up movie."

Last month, the actor revealed that he'd initially turned down the role when it was first offered to him.

"I told them I didn’t see myself in the role and I was going to have to beg off," he told Playboy magazine. But when Warner Bros asked him to look at Snyder's plans for the franchise, what the actor saw was "incredible".

"It was a unique take on Batman that was still consistent with the mythology," Affleck continued. "It made me excited."

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The actor went on to express an understanding for fan concern following his performance in the universally panned 2003 comic book adaptation, Daredevil.

"If I thought the result would be another Daredevil, I’d be out there picketing myself," he said. "Why would I make the movie if I didn’t think it was going to be good and that I could be good in it?"

Affleck is also likely to reprise the role in Warner Bros' planned Justice League movie, which will see Henry Cavill's Superman fight alongside several DC heroes including Wonder Woman (played by Gal Gadot in Batman Vs Superman).

Batman Vs Superman is due for a summer 2015 release.