Ben Affleck is reportedly intent on setting a departure date from his role as Batman.
The actor and filmmaker debuted as the caped crusader in last year’s (16) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and will take on the role again in Justice League Part 1 later this year (17).
As part of Warner Bros studios bosses’ plans for an extended universe of films based on DC Comics characters, he was also due to star in, write and direct a standalone Batman movie, but pulled out of his directing duties last month (Jan17).
Ben’s handover of control of the film to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Matt Reeves has sparked speculation that the project is the latest DC Comics movie to run into production problems.
Speaking on U.S. website Collider’s Movie Talk podcast Canadian film journalist John Campea, claimed he had been told by insiders the 44-year-old was looking to negotiate an exit from the role.
“Over the past four days, I’ve talked to three separate people, who are connected in some way, to what is going on over at Warner Bros,” John said.
Explaining what he had heard from those allegedly in the know, he added, “What has come out of the conversation with all three was this. They’re telling me that, Ben Affleck, make no mistake, he does want out. He doesn’t want to be Batman anymore.”
He explained that if a settlement is reached over Ben’s departure, the forthcoming Batman movie could be his last as the character.
“I have been told that Affleck is talking with Warner Bros in an attempt to get out of being Batman,” the podcast host alleged. “If they do not let him out of being Batman, that the standalone Batman film that ultimately happens, will be the last time we see Affleck as Batman, because he apparently wants out.”
Warner Bros’ DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film franchise has hit the rocks over the past year, with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad both torn apart by critics upon their release.
Last August (16) Patty Jenkins, the director of forthcoming female fronted installment Wonder Woman, was forced to deny claims made in an open letter, allegedly written by a former Warner Bros employee, that her film was “a mess”.
The same letter also slammed Zack Snyder, the filmmaker overseeing the DCEU, for “not delivering” and criticised the decision to hand him the reins on Justice League, which is due out in November (17).
