The next Batman: The Hollywood hunt begins for a new Caped Crusader

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As Warner Bros. and DC begin their search for the next Batman to replace Ben Affleck, one Hollywood truth has become clear in the comic book blockbuster film era: It doesn't take an A-list star for a superhero movie to make a billion dollars.

"The fact is that in the comic book movie genre, the superheroes are the draw," said Mike Avila, senior contributor for SYFY WIRE and the author of "The Art and Making of Aquaman."

"The best choice would be someone who is perhaps somewhat known or recognized, but not overexposed or an A-list household name and would thus bring a fresh perspective to the iconic role," said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore. "An analog to this would be the unlikely casting of Daniel Craig as James Bond that turned out to be a masterstroke and an unexpectedly brilliant choice despite the protestations of naysayers at the time."

"The casting process will begin shortly. We're starting to put together our battle plan. I'm doing another pass on the script and we'll begin some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things," Reeves said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in late January.

Armie Hammer has the best odds on the bookmaker's site at 7/2. Hammer has recently appeared in several critically acclaimed films, including "Call Me by Your Name."

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