Here's some news that seems to be surprising just about everyone on Twitter: Ben Affleck will play Batman in the sequel to Man of Steel. The news, announced Thursday evening by Warner Brothers, has apparently upset many who still remember his performance in 2003's Daredevil.

Affleck will replace Christian Bale as Batman, becoming the eighth actor to play the role, after Bale, Michael Keaton and George Clooney. From Variety:

“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,” WB president Greg Silverman said in a statement.

Directed by “Man of Steel” filmmaker Zack Snyder, the Superman-Batman feature will open worldwide on July 17, 2015, with Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Diane Lane reprising their roles.

“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,” Snyder said in a statement. “I can’t wait to work with him.”

[Image via AP]