As many of us know, Ben Affleck did not have the best experience while playing Batman in Justice League. We’ve talked about how Affleck’s experience in the original version of the film, and how a lot of “shitty things” happened during the production. While his experience in the film was awful, Affleck reminiscences on his experience playing Batman.
During his latest interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck revealed that he did enjoy portraying the Caped Crusader in Batman v Supermanand The Flash. So, what went wrong in the Justice League?
Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman in 'Justice League'Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
“You could teach a seminar on all the reasons why this is how not to do it. Ranging from production to bad decisions to horrible personal tragedy, and just ending with the most monstrous taste in my mouth. The genius, and the silver lining, is that Zack Snyder eventually went to AT&T and was like, ‘Look, I can get you four hours of content.’ And it’s principally just all the slow motion that he shot in black-and-white. And one day of shooting with me and him. He was like, ‘Do you want to come shoot in my backyard?’ I was like, ‘I think there are unions, Zack. I think we have to make a deal.’ But I went and did it. And now [Zack Snyder’s Justice League] is my highest-rated movie on IMDb.”
Say what you want about the film, but it is currently the highest-rated film of Affleck’s career.
“Retroactively, it’s a hit,” Affleck said. “All of a sudden I was getting congratulated for the bomb I’m in.”
As for Affleck’s future in the DCEU, it’s safe to say that he is done with the franchise. He was set up to direct a Batman film, but he decided to step away from the DCEU after his experience on Justice League.
Affleck said of his journey through the DCEU:
“You want to go to work and find something interesting to hang onto, rather than just wearing a rubber suit, and most of it you’re just standing against the computer screen going, ‘If this nuclear waste gets loose, we’ll …’ That’s fine. I don’t condescend to that or put it down, but I got to a point where I found it creatively not satisfying. Also just, you’re sweaty and exhausted. And I thought, ‘I don’t want to participate in this in any way. And I don’t want to squander any more of my life, of which I have a limited amount.’”
Even under the direction of James Gunn and his new plan for DC, Affleck said he “would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC.”
“I have nothing against James Gunn. Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job. I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that. I’m not interested in that,” Affleck said.
Looking back at how exhausting his time was with DC, I don’t blame Affleck or any cast or crew member who wouldn’t want to return to the franchise. If you are feeling stuck and underappreciated, then why would you be sick with something that makes you feel terrible about your decision to be there?
As filmmakers, we want to say “yes” to as many projects as we can. But the reality is that we have to say “no” and protect ourselves from endeavors that we know are not good for us. Be an adult and take care of yourself rather than killing yourself over a job.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
