The Batman
Ben Affleck was once the core creative force behind the DCEU ’s Batman , set to act , write , direct , and bring out the caped reformer ’s solo motion picture before giving up the originative reign andlosing enthusiasm for the part , but now there ’s newrumors that he ’ll be back after all- what ’s go on ?
WhenBen Afflecksigned on to play Batman , one of the great icons of superhero lore and modern blockbuster film , his career had reached new altitude . After a full point of risky movies and personal turmoil , he established himself as an acclaimed director with film likeGone Baby GoneandThe Town . Argolanded him the Best Picture Oscar and a whole host of vociferation after he was n’t nominated for Best Director . In the outer space of a ten , Affleck had gone from much sought after leading man to tabloid joke to serious creative person . He had boundless options ahead of him . The fact that he decided to take on the tidy blanket of a heavy - screen fable speaks volumes .
Related:Why Ben Affleck’s Age Is A Non-Issue in His DCEU Future
As divisive as Affleck ’s casting was at the time , it made a mass of sense , both from a creative stance and from Affleck ’s point - of - view . He would n’t just be fiddle Bruce Wayne – and Affleck ’s brand of slightly smug charisma was always ideal for the Wayne side of Batman – he would be writing and directing himself in a solo Batman movie . Now , he could be both a result man and an auteur , and in a function that had gained fresh life history as a serious enterprise thanks to the Christopher Nolan trilogy and study of Christian Bale .
Of of course , as we now have it off , thing did n’t go as planned . While Affleck ’s work inBatman v. Superman : Dawn of Justicewas reasonably well reviewed , the picture show was not . Justice Leaguewas a further letdown and it became problematic to ignore the job border the DCEU . TheBatmansolo project never seemed to get off the ground . The film that was announced in October 2014 remain in yield . Affleck was announced in 2016 to be directing and co - committal to writing with Geoff Johns , then the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment . shot was bruit to start in early 2017 , but in January of that year , Affleck step down as music director and wasreplaced by Matt Reeves . Later that year , it was confirmed that Affleck ’s hand was being re - written . Affleck remains signed on to toy the lead role , but since then , there have been myriad rumors that Affleck is eager to get out of his DC contract . Affleck and DC initially deny these issue , but DC ’s long - time praseodymium problem could n’t ease those concerns , specially once the Sad Affleck meme was birth .
Affleck Was Promised a Very Specific DCEU Batman Vision
The DCEU has made a muckle of changes during its short run of only five film . Zack Snyder , the director of three of these film and the main creative force of the franchise , had a distinct imaginativeness in head that DC and Warner Bros. seemed 100 % behind at the time . It seems that the original plans for the dealership were slower paced , more detailed and less wed to the Marvel recipe of expanded universe franchise flick - making . Instead of focusing on a whole universe of characters theMan of Steelarc was intended to proceed through five movies includingBatman v. Supermananda possibleJustice Leaguetrilogy . This series would center on Superman , with other DC icons embark as supporting character before getting their own solo outing outside of Snyder ’s core Superman report .
Snyder ’s contrive build - up to DarkseidinJustice Leaguevia the fictitious character of Steppenwolf seems to have been apotential bent - up for a version ofFinal Crisis , theGrant Morrisonwritten laughable event where Batman give himself to belt down the Lord of Apokolips . If this were the case , then Affleck ’s five - movie contract bridge would be completed as Batman would have come to a torrid and highly substantial end . Logistically , it would have made sense for Affleck to keep his Batman run middling short , since it ’s doubtful Affleck and Warner Bros. would have want to keep him in the persona well into his belated 40 and early 50s .
Whatever the subject , the Batman story Affleck sign up for is not the one he and audiences suffer . The enfranchisement has judge to make drastic variety in style and tone , Justice Leagueswapped directors and now DC Entertainment is undergo major direction restructuring . The vision for Batman ’s arc that made Ben Affleck to get over his bad memories ofDaredevil – the movie he consider his only career regret – probably does n’t subsist anymore .
Page 2 of 2:Affleck’s DCEU Role and the Future of the Franchise
Affleck Was Supposed to Have a Creative Say Justice League
On top of helming his own Batman film , Affleck was mean to be more heavily involved withJustice League . He ’s credited as an executive manufacturer andwas supposed to be involved in the editing process . It ’s not strange for a star of Affleck ’s stature to get a say in these sort of task , and it in all probability would have been a great precedence for the actor given the dashing hopes ofBatman v. Superman .
AsJustice League ’s product vagabond on and re - shoot continued , Snyder was replaced byJoss Whedon , citing personal reasons , although hearsay still persist thatDC actually fire the director due to ongoing creative differences . Given the nearness with whichSnyder work with Affleckand his visual modality being a primal part in Affleck ’s amour , it makes horse sense to imagine Affleck ’s own interest in the franchise as a whole cooling without Snyder in charge as its guiding manus . By the timere - shootswere done and trailer were being unblock , the change were obviousand not ones that fans seemed particularly excited about , such as a notably bumped brightness and color vividness , and the inclusion of a number of quips and prank that clearly were n’t part of the original script . He backed out of directingThe Batman(in part due to his own personal issues ) and further distanced himself from the enfranchisement . While other actors in the serial publication like Henry Cavill still seemed genuinely enthused to be involved with the process , Affleck depend so over it . No curiosity so many rumors twiddle about him want out .
The DCEU is Getting Back On Track Again, and Affleck Might be Interested
thing may be on the up for the DCEU . TheirPR problemhas been greatly reduce , they ’re seriously rethink their long - term program , and the undertaking currently in ontogeny have more positively charged buzz around them thanJustice LeagueorSuicide Squadever did . The DCEU was never hypothesise to be rushing around after wonder and dropping that style was the best determination they ’ve made in years .
What previously seemed like bad news for the character of Batman feels more sensibly think out now . Matt Reeves is taking his time withThe Batmanscript , somethingAffleckhimself said was hugely significant , and the film presently has no passing appointment . Therefore , there ’s no pressure to rush this thing out to keep up with a franchise example that does n’t work for them .
formally , Affleck is still signed on as Batman . The rumors of him wanting to pull out remain but are n’t as trashy as they were , and there ’s even a number of hearsay thathe want to devote to the theatrical role again . If he still want out , then end his abbreviated run with his solo movie would be a right move to make . It would also suggest a greater level of confidence in the enfranchisement .
When Ben Affleck agreed to be Batman , it was under the hope of immense originative power and the alone chance to combine his forces as an A - List lead man and acclaimed author - director . That ambition never come to fruition and even those who do n’t hold the DCEU in peculiarly high regard have to admit that his casting and involvement became a leave out chance for all need . All hope is not lost , and Affleck can still bring out the big gunman for a climactic appearance as DC ’s greatest detective .
NEXT:The Batman: Every Update You Need to Know
