Despite reports to the contrary, Ben Affleck is not going to direct one of the new DC Universe movies. Affleck played Batman for several years beginning with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He was also, at one time, going to direct a version of The Batman he would have starred in. That never came to pass and, with his upcoming turn in The Flash movie,he is going to hang up his cape. And, based on some recent comments, it seems like he’s walking away from DC altogether.
During a chat with The Hollywood Reporter about his upcoming movie Air, Affleck was asked directly about directing a movie in the rebooted DCU. James Gunn and Peter Safran recently took over as the co-heads of DC Studios. With that, they have announced a plan to reboot the universe, and Affleck was said to be in the running to direct one of the upcoming films. Not so fast.
“I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC. Absolutely not. I have nothing against James Gunn. Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job. I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that. I’m not interested in that.”
Rumors circulated that the Oscar-winning director of Argo was possibly in line to direct The Brave and the Bold. That movie will introduce our new Batman, as well as Damian Wayne’s Robin. While it’s certainly possible that he talked to Gunn and Safran, ultimately, Affleck has no interest in this stuff anymore.
A big part of the reason has to do with his experience filming Justice League. Speaking elsewhere in the interview, the filmmaker said his experience on that movie was nothing shy of miserable. That led to him walking away from The Batman.
“I was going to direct a Batman, and [Justice League] made me go, ‘I’m out. I never want to do any of this again. I’m not suited.’ That was the worst experience I’ve ever seen in a business which is full of some shitty experiences. It broke my heart. There was an idea of someone [Joss Whedon] coming in, like,’ ‘I’ll rescue you and we’ll do 60 days of shooting and I’ll write a whole thing around what you have. I’ve got the secret.’ And it wasn’t the secret.
That was hard. And I started to drink too much. I was back at the hotel in London, it was either that or jump out the window. And I just thought, ‘This isn’t the life I want. My kids aren’t here. I’m miserable.’ You want to go to work and find something interesting to hang onto, rather than just wearing a rubber suit, and most of it you’re just standing against the computer screen going, ‘If this nuclear waste gets loose, we’ll…’ That’s fine. I don’t condescend to that or put it down, but I got to a point where I found it creatively not satisfying. Also just, you’re sweaty and exhausted. And I thought, ‘I don’t want to participate in this in any way. And I don’t want to squander any more of my life, of which I have a limited amount.’”
Gunn is set to direct Superman: Legacy, the first new Superman movie since Man of Steel. It will not star Henry Cavill, but will essentially be the big kickoff of the new DCU. Other movies on the slate include Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Swamp Thing, The Authority and The Brave and the Bold. The Batman 2 is also happening, but that will take place elsewhere in the DC multiverse.
Superman: Legacy is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
What do you think? Are you bummed Affleck won’t direct a DC movie? Or do you think it’s best for him to move on? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
