It hasn’t been long since fans jotted down angry petitions over Ben Affleck’s casting as Batman. The loyalists were outraged again when Variety broke the news that Robert Pattinson is in deep negotiations to don the character of the Dark Knight.

Although the deal is far from done, Pattinson has been pegged as the top choice for Matt Reeve’s forthcoming superhero flick.

Reeves took over director’s chair from Affleck in January 2017. He dropped Affleck’s version of the Batman and has been developing the new story line ever since. Reevez will produce The Batman with his Planet of the Apes collaborator Dylan Clark.

“Year One is one of the many comic books that I love. We are definitely not doing Year One,” Reeves said in 2018. “We’re doing a story that is definitively Batman though, and trying to tell a story that’s emotional—and yet is really about him being the world’s greatest detective and all the things that for me, since I was a kid, made me love Batman.”

The internet had its own take on the news

I think Robert Pattinson will be a good bat man because the bottom of his face is good

— Pat “Knife Museum” Gill (@Pizza_Suplex) May 17, 2019

I’m 100% FOR this Robert Pattinson Batman thing, you hating dorks. He may be the best Batman ever. Y’all slamming him cause he made that Vampire thing 15y ago? He’s done a handful of edgy indie/studio movies since that proves he’s a very qualified actor. Overqualified for Batman!

— devon sawa (@DevonESawa) May 18, 2019

And after all that speculation about Jon Snow and the Stark clan, ’twas Robert Pattinson who won the Game of Thrones in the end. pic.twitter.com/YYTfO1xF8I

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) May 17, 2019

Dear Reylos,

Robert Pattinson is the new Batman. You can all leave Star Wars alone now.

Sincerely,

Everyone

— That’s not how the Force works (@SeagulStopItNow) May 17, 2019

Robert Pattinson dropping hints since 2009. pic.twitter.com/bxqxr3xd4k

— Pancit! At Rebisco (@vicentejian) May 18, 2019

What’s the point of the internet if not to make jokes about Robert Pattinson being a vampire who turned into a bat

— Will Arther (@Will_Arther) May 18, 2019

Yes, Robert Pattinson totally has the opportunity to be DC’s best #Batman to-date:https://t.co/AMmj7NwF0S pic.twitter.com/sScul9tH7b

— Comicbook.com (@ComicBook) May 17, 2019

Although the official date has not been announced yet, the movie is expected to be released in June 2021.

The filmmaker was handed the film after Affleck stepped out of the DC Comics extended universe where he starred as Bruce Wayne in two movies: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the multi-starrer Justice League.

“I couldn’t crack it and so I thought it’s time for someone else to take a shot at it. They got some really good people so I’m excited,” Affleck said on his departure.