Ben Affleck Reveals What Really Went Wrong With His Batman

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Ben Affleck, once playing Batman in the DC Extended Universe, reflects on the missteps of his portrayal in a candid interview with GQ. He shared his insights into why his version of Batman didn’t last, acknowledging that while he enjoyed embodying the mature, rough-around-the-edges Bruce Wayne and bringing the character to life, there was a mismatch between Zack Snyder’s vision for the franchise and Warner Bros.’ expectations. It was his son who made him see this disparity.

Affleck expressed that he thoroughly enjoyed his experience working on the Batman movies, particularly “Batman v Superman”. He also mentioned his short appearances in “The Flash” and the time spent collaborating with Viola Davis on “Suicide Squad”. Creatively, Affleck appreciated the concept and ambition behind the character he portrayed – an older, damaged Bruce Wayne. This aspect was emphasized in the first movie, where they aimed to depict a more mature and troubled version of the character.

Initially, it seemed the storyline was becoming too mature for a significant portion of our viewers. In fact, my son, at the time, found it too terrifying to watch. When I realized this, I thought, ‘Oh dear, we’ve got an issue.’ It appeared that the filmmaker wanted to persist with this approach, while the studio aimed to attract the younger audience back. This seemed like two ships sailing against the current – a situation that, as I see it, doesn’t yield good results.

In five DC Comics adaptations, Ben Affleck portrayed Batman, with lead roles in “Batman v Superman” and “Justice League,” as well as cameos in “Suicide Squad” and “The Flash.” At one time, he was also set to direct a standalone Batman film, but that project was later passed on to Matt Reeves, who transformed it into “The Batman,” a reboot featuring Robert Pattinson in the lead role and taking place within a different storyline.

Since its inception in 2013’s “Man of Steel”, the DC Extended Universe faced a mixed response from critics, particularly due to Snyder’s gritty, somber approach. This divide reached its peak with the disappointing box office performance and poor reception of the original cut of “Justice League”. Notably, Joss Whedon was recruited for reshoots, but his style created a stark contrast with Snyder’s. The final product, a blend of visions, ultimately led to the downfall of the DCEU. Now, James Gunn and Peter Safran are leading the DC Universe reboot.

Over time, more serious portrayals of Batman have proven popular, such as those in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga. In contrast, the DCEU stood out due to Warner Bros.’ effort to emulate the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was dominating box offices with mainly kid-friendly content. If Affleck’s son found his father’s Batman role unappealing, it suggested that WB had lost a crucial demographic they aimed to attract. To address this issue, WB tried to adjust course with Justice League, but the lighter tone didn’t resonate as planned. Snyder supporters felt disheartened by the film’s departure from its intended concept, while casual viewers showed little interest. In the end, WB was forced to restart following this outcome.

It’s regrettable that Affleck’s portrayal as Batman, especially in “Batman v Superman,” was positively received by many viewers who appreciated his interpretation of a worn-out Dark Knight. Fans would have loved to see more of this character in various projects. On the other hand, Warner Bros.’ inclination towards something slightly more kid-friendly makes sense as children form a significant portion of Marvel’s audience, and WB aims to capitalize on that with DC. Although the Batman Epic Crime saga caters more to an older audience (with “The Penguin” receiving a TV-MA rating), the film “The Brave and the Bold” is being developed at DC Studios. This offers an opportunity for the filmmakers to create a lighter, possibly kid-friendly Batman movie, which could attract young viewers. Notably, with characters from the Bat Family appearing in “The Brave and the Bold,” it might serve as a fitting contrast to “The Batman,” giving fans of the Caped Crusader diverse options based on their preferences.

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2025-03-25 18:41