While some are still hoping that Ben Affleck would come back as Batman after The Flash, the actor has been adamant that he is officially quitting the role. Though a lot of fans are clearly disappointed with the decision, Affleck explained that it was fellow Good Will Hunting co-star Matt Damon that helped him quit the part.
Taking to Damon for Entertainment Weekly, Affleck explained:
“In fact, I talked to you about it and you [Damon] were a principal influence on that decision… I want to do the things that would bring me joy. Then we went and did Last Duel and I had fun every day on this movie. I wasn’t the star, I wasn’t likable. I was a villain. I wasn’t all the things I thought I was supposed to be when I started out and yet it was a wonderful experience. And it was all just stuff that came along that I wasn’t chasing.”
Though Affleck was initially enthusiastic about the direction that Zack Snyder was going to take Batman, he explains that his experience was ultimately soured by what happened behind-the-scenes with Justice League. “I didn’t like being there. I didn’t think it was interesting. And then some really shitty things, awful things happened. But, that’s when I was like, I’m not going to do that anymore,” said Affleck.
It is sad to see Affleck leave, but seeing as the DCEU is kind of a mess right now, it would make sense that he would no longer want to be a part of it. Though some are still holding on to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, I think the healthy thing to do for everyone is let the idea go and just see where WB runs with the ball. Then again, #ReleaseTheSnyderCut still happened, so maybe the studio can come up with some kind of compromise that isn’t a restoration of the original plans; at least keep actors like Henry Cavill around for a Man of Steel sequel.
For now, Affleck will have one final run as Batman in The Flash which hits theaters on Nov. 4.
