Ben Affleck SLAMS Justice League, Done With Batman

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It’s unlikely you’ll see Ben Affleck reprise his role as Batman in the near future, as he has shared more insights on his time portraying DC’s Dark Knight and his less than favorable experience working on the Justice League film.

It appears that initial plans involved Ben Affleck reprising his role as Batman in a multiverse narrative, which is why he was linked to The Flash. However, it’s been reported that David Zaslav, the head of WBD, cancelled these plans and instructed James Gunn to rejuvenate DC with more cost-effective actors. Affleck’s cameo/post-credit scene was cut and replaced by George Clooney, marking the end of the DCEU. When asked about it, Affleck stated unequivocally that he would not direct anything for James Gunn.

Affleck Details What Went Wrong on Justice League

In an interview with GQ regarding his recently established production company (responsible for the upcoming release of The Accountant 2 on April 25, a highly-acclaimed prequel), Ben Affleck shared insights about his experience working on Justice League. Following Batman v Superman, Zack Snyder initially helmed Justice League; however, he was compelled to depart due to a personal tragedy. In his absence, Joss Whedon, known for directing The Avengers, took over the project. Essentially, Snyder’s original concept for the film underwent significant changes during production, and reports indicate that the process was turbulent.

There were multiple factors that made that ordeal extremely challenging, and it’s not just about being in a superhero film or any specific genre. Frankly, I don’t feel drawn to revisit this type of experience again due to a lack of fascination with its aspects that once appealed to me. However, I wouldn’t want to recreate an experience like the one I had. There were misunderstandings and misaligned expectations, and at that point in time, my contributions weren’t as impactful as they could have been. In other words, I was also part of the problem during that process.

Affleck’s remarks that the studio preferred a change from Zack Snyder’s style echo earlier reports. It seems Warner Bros. was striving for a more Marvel-esque approach, given the success of those films in the industry at that point.

Loved playing Batman

Concerning playing Batman, Affleck expressed his affection for embodying the character and found it enjoyable filming “Batman v Superman”. Initially, some fans were hesitant when he was chosen for the role, but now, many consider him one of the finest portrayals of the character on screen.

I truly enjoyed the experience, particularly working on the Batman film, specifically “Batman v Superman.” I also relished my short-term roles in The Flash and had a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Viola Davis during Suicide Squad. On a creative level, I found myself drawn to the concept and ambition behind it – portraying an older, damaged Bruce Wayne. This was definitely pursued in the initial movie.

Thinks the DCEU skewed too old

Affleck elaborates further about the studio’s desire to deviate from Zack Snyder’s vision for ‘Batman vs. Superman’. He expresses his worry when even his own child found the movie too frightening.

The issue was that it became too mature for a significant portion of the viewers. My son, for instance, found it too frightening to watch. When I realized this, I exclaimed, “Oh dear, we have an issue.” It seems that the filmmaker wished to persist with this style while the studio aimed to attract a younger audience, which led to conflicting goals. Essentially, you had two parties who wanted to take different paths, and that’s a formula for disaster.

Reflecting on the past, it’s clear that none of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films following Ben Affleck’s involvement have struck a chord with fans, as they seem to prefer a more grounded, less humorous approach, unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which hasn’t been the same since Avengers: Endgame. In retrospect, Zack Snyder’s films, such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, were box office sensations. Adjusted for inflation, Man of Steel made over $917 million in 2013, while Batman v Superman raked in approximately $1.162 billion in 2016 – numbers that Zaslav would surely covet today.

What’s next for Batman?

Matt Reeves has now revamped the Batman character, with Robert Pattinson donning the cape and mask. The upcoming sequel, titled “The Batman Part II”, is slated for release on October 1, 2027.

James Gunn is also working on a distinct version of Batman within the DC Universe. It’s rumored that director Andy Muschietti will helm “The Brave and the Bold” film, but no official release date has been set as Gunn is reportedly waiting for a suitable script to come along.

Rocksteady is also rumored to be developing a new Batman video game.

The Dark Knight makes an appearance in a commercial for State Farm. Watch the extended version:

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2025-03-26 02:01