Could Ben Affleck return to the world of Batman? This time, though, it will be a bit different.
A new rumor is swirling that Affleck could direct Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the Batman/Robin movie currently being developed by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
AboveTheLine.com reports Affleck is in consideration for the director’s position in the DC Studios project. The outlet notes, “he has already sat down with DC Studios to discuss the possibility of directing a project.”
While plenty of upcoming DC movies could work well for Affleck, his recent history playing The Caped Crusader could influence his decision to join Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Though, AboveTheLine implies that moving from anything superhero-related could be the best move for Affleck regarding getting back to the Oscar-winning stature he had when Argo was released.
Ben Affleck joined the DCEU in 2016, starring as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film was met with some backlash but would later find a cult following. The entire DCEU line-up was shaken upon that release, and the universe Zack Snyder was creating quickly became an issue. Affleck would cameo in 2016’s Suicide Squad, alongside references in other DCEU projects. He’d later star in Joss Whedon’s cut of Justice League before appearing in 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
He isn’t entirely done with starring as Batman yet, as Affleck will appear in this summer’s The Flash by director Andy Muschietti. There were rumors the ending of the film could’ve left the door open for an Elseworlds-style return down the road, but industry scoopers say that has changed since the last they heard.
During the DC Studios slate announcement, James Gunn noted they were “working with Ben Affleck,” adding that he “really wants to be a part of our architecture team trying to bring things together. And he really wants to direct one of our projects, and we’re looking forward to him doing that.” The DC Studios co-chair would later take to Twitter to reiterate this point. “Met with Ben yesterday precisely because he wants to direct & we want him to direct,” Gunn wrote. “We just have to find the right project.”
No matter what, Affleck didn’t get his fair shake at the Batman character if it was behind or in front of the camera. A partnership with DC Studios could mend those fences or send Affleck further into a Dunkin Donuts spiral. Only time will tell, but let’s see where the filmmaker lands after this year.
