Ben Affleck Talks About His Decision to Step Away from Directing a DCU Film Under James Gunn’s Batton

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ben Affleck spoke up about his decision to not return to the DCU to direct a project under James Gunn and Peter Safran. While he affirms he doesn’t have any hostility towards Gunn, he’s “simply not interested” in leading the way they’re doing.

“My experience in directing the Justice League movie was horrible, and there are all the reasons why one shouldn’t do it like this,” Affleck said in the interview. He went on to explain the bad decisions made throughout the production, leading to a horrible personal tragedy and ending with the most monstrous taste in his mouth.

Affleck compared wearing a rubber suit and acting in front of a computer screen, expressing that it was a creative dissatisfaction that led him to take a step back from the superhero genre. He affirmed that with his decision to step back from directing a DCU film, he is no longer creatively satisfied.

In spite of his decision to step back, Ben Affleck still credits Zack Snyder’s Justice League as his highest-rated film on IMDb. However, the experience took a toll on him personally, and he realized he lost interest creatively.

With or without Affleck, the DCU is moving forward. James Gunn and Peter Safran have already mapped out the roadmap for Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, which is effectively the first part of Gunn’s master plan. Superman: Legacy will be directed by James Gunn and will be the first title officially released under this first chapter in July 2025, followed by Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II in October of that same year.

Ben Affleck’s decision to take a step back has not discouraged the DCU from moving forward with James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm, and only time will tell what the future holds for DC’s cinematic universe.