ROBERT Pattinson is being tipped as the next Batman.

According to Variety magazine, the British star is in negotiations to play the role, taking over from Ben Affleck.

The former Twilight heartthrob, 33, is reportedly the top choice to play the Caped Crusader in the Warner Bros superhero movie.

Meanwhile, fellow trade publication Deadline said that Nicholas Hoult is also in the running.

The British actor, 29, stars in the new Tolkien film and the upcoming X-Men: First Class movie Dark Phoenix.

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The new Batman film, directed by Matt Reeves, is expected to hit cinemas in June, 2021.

Mr Affleck was the most recent actor to play the Dark Knight, appearing in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice and Justice League in 2017.

It was recently reported that filmmaker Mr Reeves wants a younger actor to play Bruce Wayne.

Reeves' previous films include 2008 "found-footage" horror Cloverfield as well as Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes and War For The Planet of the Apes.