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Will Christian Bale return as Batman? Fans want him in Batman-Expendables film with Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton

Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton will play Batman in the upcoming movie 'The Flash'

There's a chance for a little redemption for Ben Affleck's Batman, and he's going to take it. Recently, it came to light that the actor would return as the dark superhero in the film 'The Flash'. Of course, this sparked off an intense discussion on Twitter, as fans have always been divided about this particular portrayal of Batman. While many feel that Affleck did what he could with the character, others are in two minds with him after 'Batman Vs Superman: Dawn Of Justice' and 'Justice League', both of which were slammed by critics and audience alike.

The numerous portrayals of Batman over the years has always been a touchy topic for fans over the years, as many continue to hail Christian Bale's 'The Dark Knight' franchise as the benchmark. Furthermore, while Affleck will return in 'The Flash', the good news is that Michael Keaton, who portrayed the character in the 1989 film 'Batman', is also returning in the Ezra Miller film. So of course, the question that arises is, when will Bale be back? 

In several interviews, Bale had made it clear that he wasn't returning as Batman, even though a fourth film in his Batman franchise had been pitched by Warner Bros. "When they came [to us after ‘Batman Begins’] and said, ‘You want to go make another?’ It was fantastic, but we still said, ‘This is it. We will not get another opportunity'," Bale told Toronto Sun.

"Then they came and they said, 'OK, let's do the third one'. Chris [director Christopher Nolan] had always said to me that if we were fortunate to be able to make three we would stop. 'Let’s walk away after that', he said. Then when they inevitably came to us and said, 'How about a No. 4?' I said, 'No. We have to stick to Chris' dream, which was always to, hopefully, do a trilogy. Let’s not stretch too far and become overindulgent and go for a fourth'."

Of course, this doesn't stop fans from dreaming and hoping that Christian Bale would be back too. "WOW. Imagine if Christian Bale agreed to also be in the #TheFlash  Flashpoint Film? That movie would be an instant $150-200 Million opening weekend. Easy Billion Dollar movie. Would be insane! #Batman," a fan wrote.

"Christian Bale was the best Batman. Period Anyone who disagrees can keep their bad taste to themselves I'm not interested," another tweeted.

"Christian Bale Batman needs a cameo in Flashpoint too! Still some of the best Batman films ever," a fan wrote.

"Ben Affleck's back as Batman. Michael Keaton's back as Batman. Someone call Christian Bale already and make this a Batman-Expendables movie. Expendabats," another tweeted.

One fan laughed at how everyone just forgot about George Clooney, who once played the character too. "I love how everyone wants Christian Bale in this but is also like f**k George Clooney and his nipples," the fan wrote. Just to be noted, Affleck and Keaton's portrayals will not make a difference to Robert Pattinson's portrayal in his Batman film.