While Ben Affleck’s acting career stretches back more than two decades, in recent years he’s become well known for his directorial projects. So far these movies include Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo, all of which earned positive receptions. Now that he’s jumping back into the superhero game later this year as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it begs the question: does Affleck want to helm a superhero movie? According to him, he’s interested in the challenge.
When asked whether one of the reasons he decided to play Gotham City’s Dark Knight was so he could one day tell his own story in the DC Extended Universe, Affleck admitted to USA Today that he was amazed by what director Zack Snyder was able to accomplish. As he put it:
I’ll just say going through the process, I would never have imagined that I could or would direct a movie like this. And in working with (Batman v Superman director Zack Snyder) and seeing what he did and watching him every day, I got really inspired by that and by seeing the scope on which he was telling the story, by seeing what he was able to do with this kind of mythic story on a grand scale.
Although nothing is official at this point, previous chatter suggested that there may be a heroic outing in Ben Affleck’s future beyond wearing the cape and cowl. It was first rumored back in June that Affleck was being eyed to direct the first Batman solo movie in the DCEU. A month later, it was reported that Affleck is not only directing the movie, but also co-writing the script with DC’s Chief Creative Officer, Geoff Johns. Affleck mentioned in October that he would he open to directing a Batman movie if he could make it work, but until Warner Bros. provides official details on what’s happening with Batman’s future aside from the Justice League movies, nothing is certain.
Ben Affleck’s first superhero outing as Daredevil in 2003 didn’t go as well as expected, but if early Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice screenings are to be believed, he has found his niche as the latest live action Batman. The actor certainly seems content playing the hero for the near future, but given his track record with directing so far, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider putting him behind the camera as well. Remember that he also brought in Argo scribe Chris Terrio to rewrite the March blockbuster, and Terrio is now also writing the Justice League movies. So Affleck is clearly invested in these movies beyond just giving a performance.
It may be a while until we learn if Affleck will indeed direct the new Batman movie, but fans can catch him as the new Caped Crusader this March in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, followed by Suicide Squad in August. As for his directorial endeavors, he’s currently helming the crime period piece Live by Night, set for release in 2017.
