Jason Momoa dropped a photo on Thursday which has sort of confirmed that Ben Affleck is gearing up to return as Batman to the DCEU in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The photo has gone viral.
“REUNITED Bruce and Arthur,” Momoa wrote on Instagram yesterday, along with a photo of him and Affleck. “Love you and miss you, Ben. WB studio tours just explored the backlot alright. busted on set all great things coming AQUAMAN 2 all my aloha j.”
For those not in the know, Affleck most recently played Bruce Wayne/Batman in 2017’s superhero mashup Justice League and in 2016’s Suicide Squad.
The 2016 film 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice starred the two-time Oscar winner in a dual role. He will reprise the role in The Flash as well which debuts in cinemas next year.
Momoa played Aquaman in Batman v Superman and Justice League. The 42-year-old actor previously teased on his Instagram Story that he's "back on set" and "can't tell you what I'm doing" as it's "top secret," while promoting his Mananalu Water's reusable aluminium bottles, which were made available in his trailer.
"All I can say is, thank you to one of my favorite production companies for having me and taking care of the environment, because I can't say much more," Momoa said. "But good things are happening."
Though there is no word yet on how big Affleck’s role is going be in Aquaman 2, fans are really excited about the possibility of his return.
“I can’t explain how happy it makes me! Ben Affleck, please know how much you are LOVED as BATMAN !!!!! @BenAffleck I can’t wait to see you in Aquaman 2!!!! Hopefully for more as well!!!!,” said one fan.
“Ben Affleck is gonna be in AQUAMAN 2 as Bruce Wayne once again? Music to my ears,” wrote another.
“Ben Affleck being back as Batman once again proves he loves the role. The news is awesome about Aquaman 2, but an announcement with Ray Fisher reprising his role as Cyborg in The Flash would be even bigger to me,” wrote the third one.
Ben Affleck being back as Batman once again proves he loves the role. The news is awesome about Aquaman 2, but an announcement with Ray Fisher reprising his role as Cyborg in The Flash would be even bigger to me. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse
— Ω Ryan Ω #RebelMoon Era (@Snyder_Cut_240) July 28, 2022
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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