It’s crazy how much can change in a year. When Ben Affleck was announced as the Caped Crusader for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the actor was universally mocked from all corners of the DC fan universe. Now just a month after Dawn of Justice’s release, Affleck has been hailed as the shining light in an otherwise very poor film. The redemptive result? A very own Batman solo flick of his own.
The news was confirmed at the Warner Bros presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, with CEO Kevin Tsujihara making the announcement. Here’s how it went down according to Slashfilm:
WB head says they will be doing a Batman solo movie "with Ben Affleck". Some are taking that as a confirmation that Ben will be directing.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) April 12, 2016
As if that wasn’t big enough news, the Wall Street Journal reported this tidbit of information:
Warner CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirms for the first time Ben Affleck-directed "Batman" movie is on the slate, will come out in next 5 years
— Ben Fritz (@benfritz) April 12, 2016
So Ben Affleck is not only starring in his own Batman movie, but he’s directing it as well and it comes out in five years?! Depending on your feelings for Mr. Affleck, this is either terrific or terrible news.
When Affleck was first cast, rumblings of a rebooted Batman franchise began to spread, but there was a sense that the rejuvenated actor-director would have to prove himself first. Dozens of positive reviews later, it’s clear Affleck lived up to the occasion. His performance in a solo Batman movie is not only fair, but logical.
But taking reign over one of the world’s biggest movie franchises is a whole ‘nother challenge. That being said, the decision could certainly pay off. Following years of box office busts, Affleck has forged an identity as one of the best directors in town with the acclaimed Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo.
Whatever Ben Affleck did in Gigli is long forgotten. It will be difficult to compete with the talent of Christopher Nolan, but Affleck could be just the man to redeem the Dark Knight from a disastrous showing in Batman v Superman.
