Ben Affleck will play Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel 2 / Batman vs Superman film. The announcement that Affleck will take on the new superhero role and star alongside Henry Cavill was made by Warner Brothers on Thursday.

Warner Brother's president of production Greg Silverman said: "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. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character."

The Man of Steel sequel, which will be directed by Zack Snyder, will be the first film in which the DC Comics superheroes come together. Snyder said, "Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry's Superman. 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. I can't wait to work with him."

The film is being scripted by David S. Goyer and production is set to begin in 2014. Returning cast members are Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne as the Daily Planet's Editor-in-Chief Perry White. The film is scheduled to premiere on July 17, 2015.

The official title of the Batman/Superman film has not been released.

Prior to WB's confirmation that Affleck would play Batman, reports stated that Christian Bale of the Dark Knight series was offered $50 million to reprise his role for the Superman/Batman superhero flick. Both the actor and Warner Brother's did not comment on the rumors.

Man of Steel is the most successful superhero reboot ever and has raked in over $600 million worldwide since its premiere in May this year.