Ben Affleck has been revealed as Batman opposite of Henry Cavill's Superman in the first ever on-screen match-up of DC Comics' most iconic characters.

Ending weeks of speculation, Ben Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne. Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder's as-yet-untitled project-bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director's vision of their universe, which he established in Man of Steel. The film is to open worldwide in 2015.

Last month's surprise announcement of the new movie featuring both Superman and Batman created a wave of excitement and immediately fueled discussion and debate-among fans as well as in the media-about who would put on the cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne's alter ego.

Snyder successfully re-imagined the origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the worldwide blockbuster Man of Steel, which has earned more than $650 million worldwide to date, and climbing. The director will now create an original vision of Batman and his world for the film that brings the two DC Comics icons together.

Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent. The film will also reuniteMan of Steel stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

Snyder expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, "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. I can't wait to work with him".

Affleck recently starred in the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture Argo, which he also directed and produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in the film, as well as a number of directing honors. In 2010, he starred in and directed the hit crime thriller The Town. His recent acting work also includes The Company Men, State of Play, and Hollywoodland, for which he received a Golden Globenomination for Best Actor. Earlier in his career, Affleck starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) Good Will Hunting, for which he won an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay.

The new Super Hero film is being scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder. Production is expected to begin in 2014. United Motion Pictures, the biggest film distributor in the Arab world and the sole distributor of Warner Bros. films in Egypt, will release the film in theatres.