Ben Affleck Recalls Batman Exit: 'We Have a Problem'

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice star Ben Affleck has spoken candidly about his "excruciating" experience portraying the Caped Crusader for DC.

In a recent GQ interview, the actor reflected on his decade-long journey as Batman. He described his tenure as a leading figure in the so-called Snyder-verse as "a really excruciating experience," detailing how a complicated relationship with DC executives ultimately led to his waning interest in superhero films.

"There are several reasons why that experience was so difficult," Affleck explained. "And they aren't all simply about the nature of starring in a superhero movie. I'm no longer drawn to that genre, not solely because of that negative experience, but because what once intrigued me about it has faded. I certainly wouldn't want to repeat anything like that."

While Affleck has touched on this subject before, new details have emerged about the source of his dissatisfaction. He largely attributed it to a "misalignment of agendas, understandings, and expectations," but also acknowledged his own share of responsibility. Looking back on his DC chapter, he felt he "wasn't bringing anything particularly special to the table at the time, either."

"You can watch the films and judge my performance as an actor. But more to the point, part of why I had such a poor experience was that I brought a lot of unhappiness to set every day," he elaborated on his perceived shortcomings.

"I wasn't contributing much positive energy. I didn't cause trouble—I showed up, did my job, and went home. But you need to offer a bit more than that."

Affleck's journey with DC began when he joined Zack Snyder's Batman v. Superman opposite Henry Cavill. This led to years of cameo appearances and an ultimately canceled solo Batman project. Fans will recall Affleck's roles in team-up films like Justice League (both the 2017 theatrical release and the 2021 Snyder Cut) and The Flash, as well as a brief appearance in 2016's Suicide Squad.

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Regarding that shelved Batman film, its exact plot—including how it planned to span 80 years of the Dark Knight's history—remains unknown. However, rumors suggest it would have explored Arkham Asylum and potentially featured Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke.

Affleck has previously credited longtime friend Matt Damon with helping him finally retire the iconic cowl. In this latest interview, he also revealed his son played a role in his decision to step away.

"The tone began to skew too dark for a significant portion of the audience," Affleck noted. "Even my own son was too scared to watch Batman v. Superman at the time. When I realized that, I thought, 'Oh no, we have a problem.'

"You then had a filmmaker intent on continuing down that path, and a studio desperate to recapture the younger audience—two forces working at cross-purposes. When two parties want fundamentally different things, it's a recipe for disaster."

DC appears to be charting a new course by separating its grittier and more lighthearted stories into distinct lanes. The darker side will continue with 2027's The Batman - Part II, while the lighter tone will launch in earnest when James Gunn's DCU takes flight with Superman this July. As for Affleck, fans shouldn't expect to see him return to DC to direct a film within Gunn's new universe.