Ben Affleck steps down as director of "The Batman"
Variety.com reports thats Ben Affleck has stepped down as director of the upcoming Batman movie. Affleck will still produce and star in the movie, he is quoted:
““Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.””
So the move seems to be mutual and for the benefit of the movie, but comments made by Ben Affleck recently hint at more trouble behind the scenes.
“It’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
Of course there is no saying what really happened, his new comments might just be to calm anyone alarmed by Afflecks move, but for me it seems the DCEU is in all lot of turmoil. Over the last month we heard a lot about Warner changing up plans, Flash rewrites and director problems, a possible Harley stand alone movie, the last 2 movies, while financially succesful, were critically disappointing. Some(me included) were hoping, that Ben Affleck might become a leading figure for the DCEU, in a way like Kevin Feige is for the Marvel movie universe. But as it seems, this is not going to happen.
I personally am deeply concerned that Ben and Warner couldn't agree on a direction of the movie, so Ben left as a director, but couldn't quit as actor because of his contractual obligations. His comments now are just him trying to soften the blow and break the news as mildly as possible. Affleck is still a professional.
