Robert Pattinson is the new Batman - report

Twilight star Robert 'R-Patz' Pattinson is replacing Ben Affleck as Batman, according to reports.

The new Bruce Wayne will be debuted in upcoming film The Batman, which is being written and directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes).

Pattinson would be playing Batman after the likes of Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Adam West and Val Kilmer in the iconic Caped Crusader role.

"While sources say it's not yet a done deal, Pattinson is the top choice and it's expected to close shortly," reports Variety, the publication that broke the story.

Warner Bros, the studio behind the Batman movies, is not commenting on the casting news.

Affleck played Batman in Justice League, Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The Argo filmmaker was set to write and direct The Batman himself, before quitting the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

As well as Pattinson, Deadline reports Mad Max: Fury Road star Nicholas Hoult is also atop a shortlist of actors to play Batman.

The DCEU, which has also included films like Aquaman and Wonder Woman, is a rival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which includes the Avengers films.

Newshub.