Ben Affleck Says He Won’t Direct Any Projects For James Gunn’s Take On The DCEU: “I’m Not Interested In That”

Now that James Gunn and Peter Safran have a new path forward for the DCEU, many questions abound. Who besides Gunn will direct some of the newly announced projects? Who will star as the new DCEU’s most iconic heroes like Superman and Batman? And will any former stars of the DCEU brand return to get involved with the latest films and series?

READ MORE: James Gunn To Direct ‘Superman: Legacy’ For DC Studios

In some cases, like Jason Momoa, it’s safe to say the actor will return in some capacity for the new DCEU. But don’t say that about Ben Affleck. In a new interview with THR, the actor/director made it clear about his potential involvement with Gunn and Safran’s take on the DC Universe. In short: not a chance (directing-wise, anyway). “I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC,” Affleck told THR. “Absolutely not. 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.”

Sorry, Batfleck fans, but it’s straight from the horse’s mouth here: don’t expect Affleck to be involved in a directorial capacity for “Gods And Monsters.” Does that come as a surprise? Fans and critics alike didn’t entirely take to Affleck’s Bruce Wayne/Batman, who played the role in “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice,” “Suicide Squad,” “Justice League,” and the upcoming “The Flash.” There was a standalone “Batman” film with Affleck in development at one point, too, but it never materialized.  

So, it stands to reason that Affleck may not want any part in the new DCEU based on his previous experience. Or, it could be that Affleck wants to focus on his own creative projects at the moment. After all, his latest film, “Air,” about the birth of the Air Jordan shoe line at Nike, premieres at SXSW in a couple of days and then hits theaters next month on April 5. A biopic with Affleck’s long-time buddy Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, and Viola Davis is a far cry from a superhero movie.  

Affleck and Damon also have Artists Equity, their new production company, with “Air” as its first film. The pair created the banner to fund film projects with an emphasis on quality and no restrictions to a filmmaker’s creative control. Would Affleck get that kind of freedom working in Gunn and Safran’s new DCEU? Not likely, which is probably another main reason he wants zero involvement in “Gods And Monsters.”

So, sorry to disappoint the Batfleck fans out there, but, yes, Affleck’s time in the DCEU is likely over for good. But Affleck’s lack of involvement doesn’t answer many of the open questions about the DCEU’s future. Stay tuned for clarification on those as 2023 progresses. As for Affleck, he stars next in Robert Rodriguez‘s upcoming sci-fi thriller “Hypnotic,” which, like “Air,” screens at SXSW 2023 (albeit as a “work in progress” cut).