Affleck to play Batman in 'Man of Steel' sequel

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ben Affleck will don Batman's cape and cowl.

Warner Bros. announced Thursday that the 41-year-old actor-director will star as a new incarnation of the Dark Knight in a film bringing Batman and Superman together. The studio says Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman from "Man of Steel." The movie will also reunite "Man of Steel" stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

The big-screen DC superhero mash-up was originally announced at last month's Comic-Con International in San Diego by director Zack Snyder.

Snyder said in a statement that Affleck will provide a counter-balance to Cavill's Superman.

Production is expected to begin in 2014, and the as-yet-untitled film is set for release July 17, 2015.

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