Ben Affleck: 'Oh S***, We Have a Problem' - The Moment He Quit Batman

Ben Affleck, known for his role as Batman in *Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice*, has candidly shared the struggles he faced while portraying the iconic Caped Crusader for DC. In a recent interview with *GQ*, Affleck reflected on his decade-long journey as a central figure in the Snyder-verse, describing it as a "really excruciating experience." He attributed his disenchantment to a complex relationship with DC, which ultimately diminished his interest in the superhero genre.

"There are a number of reasons why that was a really excruciating experience," Affleck explained. "And they don’t all have to do with the simple dynamic of being in a superhero movie. I am not interested in going down that particular genre again, not because of that bad experience, but just: I’ve lost interest in what was of interest about it to me. But I certainly wouldn’t want to replicate an experience like that."

Affleck has previously discussed his challenges with the role, but his latest comments provide deeper insight into the root of his dissatisfaction. He pointed to a "misalignment of agendas, understandings, and expectations" as a major factor, while also acknowledging his own contributions to the negative experience. "I mean, my failings as an actor, you can watch the various movies and judge. But more of my failings of, in terms of why I had a bad experience, part of it is that what I was bringing to work every day was a lot of unhappiness," he admitted. He recognized that his lack of positive energy affected his performance, stating, "I didn’t cause problems, but I came in and I did my job and I went home. But you’ve got to do a little bit better than that."

Affleck's journey with DC began when he joined Zack Snyder's *Batman v. Superman* alongside Henry Cavill. This led to numerous cameos and a planned standalone Batman film that was ultimately canceled. He appeared in various team-up projects including the original *Justice League* (2017), the *Snyder Cut* (2021), and *The Flash*, as well as a brief role in *Suicide Squad* (2016).

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Regarding the shelved Batman movie, details remain sparse, though rumors suggest it would have delved into 80 years of the Dark Knight's history, possibly exploring Arkham Asylum and featuring Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke.

Affleck has credited longtime collaborator Matt Damon for helping him move away from the role, but he also revealed that his own son played a significant role in his decision. "But what happened was it started to skew too old for a big part of the audience. Like even my own son at the time was too scared to watch (Batman v. Superman). And so when I saw that I was like, 'Oh shit, we have a problem,'" he said. He further noted the conflicting visions between the director and the studio, which aimed to appeal to a younger audience, creating a challenging dynamic.

As DC moves forward, it is separating its storytelling into grittier and more lighthearted paths. The former will continue with *The Batman 2* set for release in 2027, while the latter will be spearheaded by James Gunn's DCU, starting with *Superman* this July. As for Affleck, he has made it clear that he will not return to direct a film in Gunn's new universe.