Ben Affleck put on the Batsuit in 2016’s film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and there was no looking back for the actor. The actor succeeded Christian Bale to become the next protector of Gotham City. He played the character in three movies, and in 2019 he retired from the role. The actor was highly appreciated for his role as Batman and they had expected him to play the character for more years.
Affleck opened up on the reason for leaving behind the widely popular character of Batman, and it was related to his alcohol problem.
Ben Affleck revealed the real reason for quitting as DC Batman
The actor opened up on the reason for calling it quits, for his Batman character in an interview with The New York Times. He also shared that alcoholism had become a problem for him at that time. Affleck shared that he had shown the script of The Batman to someone, and they suggested that if he would go ahead with the film, it would prove fatal.
The Good Will Hunting star said,
“I showed somebody The Batman script. They said, ‘I think the script is good. I also think you’ll drink yourself to death if you go through what you just went through again.’”
Talking about The Batman character, he shared that Justice League’s problematic production diminished his interest in playing the role any further.
The script written by Affleck did not lack quality, but one person’s concern about his well-being led to him ending his tenure as the caped crusader.
Robert Pattinson was cast replacing Ben Affleck’s standalone film in The Batman
Shortly after Ben Affleck was cast as Batman in 2013, Warner Bros announced his standalone film in 2014. Soon the actor began writing the script of the film The Batman, along with DC Comics writer Geoff Johns.
The original plan was to release the film right after Justice League, where Batman would have a face-off with Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke. Actor Joe Manganiello was cast for the role of the one-eyed assassin, and he also did a small cameo in Justice League’s end credits.
By the first quarter of 2017, Ben Affleck had stepped down from directing the film, and Matt Reeves took his place. Reeves started writing his script, which hinted towards Affleck not being part of the film. The final news of the split was released in 2019.
Affleck’s latest appearance came as a cameo as Batman in Ezra Miller’s The Flash in 2023.
The Batman by Matt Reeves featured Robert Pattinson in the lead role and was released in 2022. The cast included Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as Riddler, Colin Farrell as Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson and Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál.
The Batman starring Robert Pattinson was a box office hit with a gross collection of $771 million worldwide, available for streaming on HBO Go.
Also read- After Ben Affleck Batman’s Unceremonious Farewell, James Gunn Reportedly Wants An Asian Dark Knight?
Source- The Newyork Times
