Ben Affleck has spoken out about his ‘worst’ experience making Justice League, as well as why he will never direct a picture for James Gunn’s DC.
The 50-year-old played the caped crusader in 2016’s Batman vs. Superman, and then returned his role in the star-studded superhero blockbuster the following year.
The Hollywood legend pondered on his time as Batman ahead of his return to the famous costume for the forthcoming Flash flick, which hits theatres in June.
Although he thoroughly loved ‘the five minutes’ that he is scheduled to appear in the Flash, his time on Justice League was much different.
‘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,’ he told the Hollywood Reporter.
Following the terrible death of his daughter, director Zack Snyder stepped away from the project, allowing Avengers director Joss Whedon to come in and finish the picture.
He conducted significant reshoots and redesigned the production, but fans were unsatisfied with the final product, resulting in the publication of the famous ‘Snyder cut’ in 2021.
Notwithstanding the controversy surrounding the film, Ben admitted that it was his ‘highest-rated movie on IMDB’ when compared to movies for which he has won Oscars.
‘I’ve never had one that went from nadir to pinnacle. Retroactively, it’s a hit. All of a sudden I was getting congratulated for the bomb I’m in,’ he said. ‘But I was going to direct a Batman, and [Justice League] made me go, “I’m out. I never want to do any of this again. I’m not suited.” That was the worst experience I’ve ever seen in a business which is full of some s***ty experiences. It broke my heart.
‘That was hard. And I started to drink too much. I was back at the hotel in London, it was either that or jump out the window. And I just thought, “This isn’t the life I want. My kids aren’t here. I’m miserable.”
‘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.”’
Ben was asked if he would consider getting behind the camera for a possible DC project, and added in no uncertain terms: ‘I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC. 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.’
Ben stepped down from the role in 2019, with Robert Pattinson set to take over shortly after.
Matt Reeves helmed his turn as the superhero in March of last year.