For His Sanity Alone, Why Ben Affleck Not Directing The Batman Might Actually Be A Good Thing

IMAGE VIA WARNER BROS/CLAY ENOS

This morning (31st January) I woke up to the news Ben Affleck (via Variety) step down has director of tentatively titled The Batman and my first reaction this sucks so many monkey nuts, but was it makes sense.

Affleck released a statement: “There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film.

“I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the film.”

Then obviously social media went into meltdown thinking the worst because that’s how the human mind thinks and then people were speculating/fancasting who could be the next director (more on that later).

However, if you look back it makes plenty of sense this has been coming for weeks, but I fully understand you didn’t want to admit it and I was one of them.

Firstly, during the press tour for Affleck’s passion project and first major blockbuster “Live By Night” the only thing interviewers, bloggers and some fans wanted to know was “What is the current situation with Batman?” and you can clearly see he was getting ever more pissed off.

Secondly, he always said he wouldn’t make the film until the script is perfect. I’m not saying Warner Bros wants to make a bad Batman film because that’s movie suicide and this day and age they’d get hammered from every direction, but I do think he put himself under so much pressure thinking about how to direct it whilst penning the script.

Thirdly, he also has previously talked about living up to the iconic Batman films of the past and living up to the great Tim Burton and Chris Nolan only makes things worst because as someone who suffers with mental health (to be clear I’m not saying Affleck does) to think about how to live up to those past five films especially something being considered the best comic book movie ever made in The Dark Knight, it’ll only make you feel shittier about your own work.

IMAGE VIA WARNER BROS

Finally, Live By Night sadly is a huge bomb for Warner Bros and for Affleck himself. This makes me thing his lost all confidence in his abilities as a filmmaker and if you add The Accountant and Batman v Superman’s negative reaction then of course it’s going to mess you up.

Because they’ll be plenty of negative click-bait news stories later on today, just try thinking about being in his shoes. Batman is the second largest franchise in film (behind Star Wars) and you’re the man to star, write, produce and direct! All these things need 100% focus and even taking on one of these roles would make me have a mental breakdown.

According to The Hollywood Reporter sources, this “move has been in the works for several weeks now.” Adding “Affleck and the studio came to a mutual decision that it would be best for the project if it was not helmed by someone with the split focus of being both the star and helmer.”

I do think this is for the best around, I still think the earliest The Batman will be released is sometime in 2019 and if I did have to directly point to Warner Bros everyone is fine with this. Take your time. We can rewatch The Dark Knight Trilogy and Batman v Superman.

IMAGE VIA WARNER BROS/ CLAY ENOS

Yes, I’ve been a fan of all the current DCU films, but can understand why a lot of people don’t and to me writing this isn’t about me being a “die-hard DC fanboy” because I’m not. It’s about trying to be grounded and optimistic while reminding people Affleck has been going non-stop since filming Batman v Superman and The Accountant and he looked knackered, stressed, dis-heartened and just fully burnt out.

So hopefully today Affleck can wake up not feeling the whole weight of the DCU and world is on his shoulders and now can take some time out, live his life, chill and be a family man, write a bit of the script here and there and by the time to do the Justice League press tour in 9/10 months’ time he’ll be refreshed.

Do I believe Affleck want’s to fulfil a dream of playing Batman in a solo film, but now he’ll have someone to help him and what’s wrong with that?

Now the new question is who could be in line to direct?

Plenty of fans are turning to Affleck’s Gone Girl director David Fincher and it would be awesome if it happened and make this some out of psychological thriller, but would he come back to a huge blockbuster after his experience with Alien 3?

Behind the Scenes of Gone Girl

There’s also a case to be made for Gavin O’Connor, he just worked with Affleck and WB directing The Accountant and despite the negative critical reaction, and plenty of critics did like it and by all accounts finding an audience in streaming.

Then you obviously have George Miller who is loyal director to Warner Bros and is a huge name to get everyone excited about this film and the DCU again.

Apparently, Captain Fantastic director Matt Ross and the latest Planet of the Apes helmer Matt Reeves are leading the studios shortlist reports Deadline.

MATT REEVES - IMAGE VIA WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Annoyingly, I haven’t seen Captain Fantastic yet, but I think Reeves could do a great job directing The Batman because Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was brilliant and War for the Planet of the Apes looks like the perfect film to end this superb trilogy.

One name I’d add as a wildcard is Gareth Evans. You probably never heard for this young British director, but he was the man who directed the awesome foreign action film The Raid and The Raid 2.

The Raid films have some of the best action seen in the genre currently and you could switch things up The Raid could easily influence and have Batman film set in Arkham Asylum or The Raid 2 could be inspiration for Batman going round Gotham during the night finding those who escaped from Arkham and end with something this. When watching think of Batman, Joker, Harley & Deathstroke.

Plus having Evans you’d likely to have the stunt team led by Iko Uwais which would be awesome and I’d hope be better used then they were in The Force Awakens.

I still think WB would want a high profile and respected name like Fincher (who’d bring something different to a Batman film) or Miller (just watch Mad Max: Fury Road to see why). However, strong cases can be made for Reeves and Evans.