Ben Affleck Denies Plans to Leave Batman Role; “I’d Love to Do it for As Long as They’ll Have Me”

Warner Bros. brought down the house at San Diego Comic-Con yesterday, where the studio teased future DC films and offered an extended look at Justice League. But the day before that, a rumor claimed that Ben Affleck would stop playing Batman soon, and WB was exploring options to explain it in a movie. Affleck made it clear at the SDCC panel that he was very enthusiastic about playing Batman, and in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he elaborates.

Affleck reaffirms that his Batman status hasn’t changed. He’s starred in two DC movies so far – not counting his “walk-on” in Suicide Squad – and he intends to do a third movie if WB is gonna make it. And let’s be honest, the Batman franchise is one of WB’s biggest, so there’s no way they don’t make another movie.

As for why these exit rumors keep popping up, Affleck thinks his stepping down from the directorial chair on The Batman has something to do with it. “It’s such a big job, in terms of the stunts and the suit and the action and the character. Trying to do that, and direct, would probably be too much. Something would be compromised. I think it came off, optically, to the broader world, like lack of interest or enthusiasm. When in fact I love this character.”

Taking the helm of The Batman now is Matt Reeves, who Affleck calls a “really exciting” choice. As for Reeves’ potential interest in a Batman trilogy, Affleck says, “Matt hasn’t really unveiled his full vision yet… So I’m looking forward to hearing what his story is.”

Affleck concludes by stating once and for all that he’s not planning on leaving the Batman role anytime soon. “I’d love to do it as long as they’ll have me. Eventually it’ll be somebody else, and I’m sure they’ll get somebody great. But while I’m doing it, I’m going to do the best job I can, and really appreciate how lucky I am.”

For Affleck’s comments on WB’s efforts to perfect the DC Extended Universe and more, click HERE.

The Batman is expected to begin production next year, presumably for a 2019 release. In the meantime, Batfleck will return in Justice League on November 17th.