Ben Affleck: 'Oh S***, We Have a Problem' - The Moment He Knew He Was Done as Batman
- By Eleanor
- Apr 22,2025
Ben Affleck, renowned for his role as Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, recently shared with GQ his challenging journey within the DC universe. After a decade of donning the cape, Affleck described his tenure as the face of the so-called Snyder-verse as "a really excruciating experience." This sentiment stems from a complex dynamic with DC, leading to a waning interest in the superhero genre.
"There are numerous reasons why that was a really excruciating experience," Affleck elaborated. "It's not just about being in a superhero movie. I've lost interest in what initially drew me to the genre. I certainly wouldn't want to go through something like that again."
Affleck has discussed these challenges before, but in this interview, he pinpointed the root causes as a "misalignment of agendas, understandings, and expectations." He also took personal responsibility, admitting he wasn't contributing positively to the environment. "I wasn’t bringing a lot of positive energy to the equation. I did my job and went home, but you’ve got to do a little bit better than that," he reflected.
His journey with DC began with co-starring in Zack Snyder’s Batman v. Superman alongside Henry Cavill. This role led to multiple cameos and even a canceled standalone Batman project. Affleck appeared in team-up films like Justice League (both the 2017 version and the 2021 Snyder Cut) and The Flash, as well as a cameo in Suicide Squad in 2016.
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As for the canceled Batman film, details on how it would have covered 80 years of the Dark Knight remain scarce. Rumors suggested it might have explored Arkham Asylum and possibly featured Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke.
Affleck credits his longtime collaborator Matt Damon for helping him step away from the role, but he also mentioned his son's reaction to Batman v. Superman played a significant role in his decision. "My own son at the time was too scared to watch it. And so when I saw that, I was like, 'Oh shit, we have a problem.' Then you had a filmmaker wanting to continue down that road and a studio aiming to recapture the younger audience, which created conflicting goals," he explained.
DC is now navigating new paths, separating its grittier and more lighthearted stories. The darker tone will continue with The Batman 2 set for release in 2027, while the lighter side will be explored in James Gunn’s DCU, starting with Superman this July. As for Affleck, he has no plans to return to DC to direct in Gunn's new universe.
