Gary Oldman’s choice to replace Ben Affleck as Batman has divided fans

Commissioner Gordon has spoken. What do you think?

At the present moment, things are looking good for the superb actor Gary Oldman. After his performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour won the Golden Globe, he's now the firm favourite to win that overdue Oscar. Throughout his glittering career, the talented actor has delivered memorable performances in the likes of Leon, The Firm, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and True Romance, but to certain film fans, he's more famous for his roles as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films and of course, Commissioner Gordon in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. With Oldman on the awards circuit, the British actor was asked about his preferred candidate to replace Ben Affleck - should Batfleck decide to hang up the cape and cowl. Matt Reeves is overseeing the next standalone film - Affleck was originally scheduled to direct that film too - but rumours have circulated that the star of Good Will Hunting and The Accountant might not fancy another stint as the Caped Crusader. In an interview with WEEI Sports Radio, Casey Affleck was asked about his brother's involvement with The Batman and he wasn't too confident. "He’s not going to do that movie, I don’t think. Or so I would say," he said. As yet, Affleck is yet to commit to returning as The Dark Knight in Matt Reeves’ The Batman and rumours have suggested that both Jake Gyllenhaal and Jon Hamm are being lined up as possible replacements. This being said, Oldman has suggested that Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Gladiator, Buffalo Soldiers) would be the ideal replacement - should Affleck decide not to return. In an interview with TooFab, Oldman said: “I would like to see someone like Joaquin Phoenix play it. This is no disrespect to Ben Affleck. I think it really depends on who is at the wheel that lifts it.” Batman fans might know that Phoenix was previously linked with the role when Darren Aronofsky was approached by Warner Bros. in 1999 to adapt Batman: Year One. The director of Mother! and The Wrestler said that his Batman film would have done justice to Frank Miller’s gritty take on the superhero’s early crimefighting days. “I always wanted Joaquin Phoenix for Batman but Warners torpedoed the idea of his R-rated superhero film and instead focused on Nolan‘s Dark Knight saga," said Aronofsky. Since Oldman proposed Phoenix for the role of Batman, fans have been split. There's no doubting his remarkable skill as an actor, but would he be better suited to play a villain?

Sounds like a better idea than Affleck.

— Owain Gillard ?? (@owaingillard) January 9, 2018

Maybe a villain, not a Batman.

— Jason Lefevers (@LefeversJay) January 9, 2018

He would be the greatest Batman ever!

— Jolene (@mama_van_jersey) January 9, 2018

Oooooh, I like it. Like it even better: Joaquin Pheonix as old Bruce Wayne in a Batman Beyond movie. pic.twitter.com/jQwAoZJWTt

— Steve (@outofFLUX) January 9, 2018

As Family Guy's Consuela said on many occasions, "No. N-no."

— DC Fan Forever (@JigglephysicsX) January 10, 2018