Ben Affleck Will Not Direct 'The Batman' Standalone Film
While Ben Affleck will produce and star in the upcoming Batman standalone film, The Batman, he will not be in the director's chair.
The Oscar winner announced the news in a statement to ET on Monday, explaining that he didn't want to spread himself too thin.
"There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions," Affleck wrote. "Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world."
The movie studio also released a statement, essentially backing up Affleck's comments.
"Warner Bros. fully supports Ben Affleck's decision and remains committed to working with him to bring a standalone Batman picture to life," the statement read.
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Affleck previously embodied the DC superhero in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and has already completed filming his performance in Justice League, opening Nov. 17.
When ET spoke with Affleck earlier this month, he was still unsure about the details surrounding The Batman, which he was in talks to direct, star in and co-write with Geoff Johns.
"That's the idea," Affleck told ET's Leanne Aguilera. "But it's not a set thing and there's no script. If it doesn't come together in a way I think is really great, I'm not going to do it."