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230 Comments

Warner Bros. Wants Ben Affleck to Direct 'Justice League'

Let's think about this before drawing a conclusion.

We all know Christopher Nolan is finished with Batman and expressed no interest in directing a Justice League movie. The question is, who should helm a movie featuring DC's biggest superheroes?

Variety has reported that Warner Bros. may be eying Ben Affleck for the job.

I'm sure the immediate reaction will be one of surprise and shock. But if you think about it, Affleck has had success with The Town for Warner Bros. Affleck isn't just an actor, having written and produced several projects.

Variety also reports that Affleck is the only one that has been sent Will Beal's script for the movie.

Apparently Affleck has stated that he only wants to direct movies that he also stars in so could this mean he has an interest in one of the roles as well? He has mentioned regrets over starring in Daredevil but also cited other areas in which they failed on that movie.

It feels too early to speculate on whether or not there is anything to go with on this. He might be interested. That doesn't mean he'd necessarily insist on playing a superhero again or that WB would want him to. There's also the question of whether or not Affleck would want to lock himself into this franchise. Even if he only directed this one movie, taking on the role of a major character would mean doing sequels as well.

If Affleck isn't chosen to direct, who should be?

Update

It hasn't been confirmed either way but some reports are now saying he's turned it down. No official comment has been made.

230 Comments
Posted by Mandrewgora

I don't know he might actually be a good pick, he's not that bad at it.

Posted by SandMan_

Cocaine is a hell of a drug...
 
 
But seriously....Really WB? Your rushing it now..

Posted by supermanfan1234

see how snyder does on man of steel and then decide who directs it

Posted by JohnnyWalker

are they on crack or something? what has affleck done to remotely consider him? nolan, sure thought he doesnt have a sense of humor. wheddon theyd wish. not many come to mind that can handle something this big.

Posted by Jotham

HAHAHAHAHAHA. No.

Posted by DDangelico

@JohnnyWalker: THE TOWN and GONE BABY GONE are both stellar films mostly due to Affleck's direction, and ARGO looks like it will be solid as well...

This may not be such a bad idea.

Edited by k4tzm4n

This is definitely an interesting choice and could be a very good one.  I thought he did a fantastic job with The Town, and, let's face it, after Daredevil I'm sure he wants a chance to redeem his impact on the comic book genre a bit.  The bar has been raised incredibly high for CBMs and I imagine this will provide extra motivation to bring his absolute A-game to the table.     

If he's not picked, I don't know... any chance Warner Bros. could borrow Joss Whedon for a bit? :P  I'd love to see Matthew Vaughn given a chance, but I'm sure his work with Fox would create contractual issues and what not.  Another name that comes to mind is Neill Blomkamp (District 9),

Staff
Posted by Aiden Cross

I don't know how to feel about this.. could go well, could go terribly wrong..

Posted by agabe

Actually don't mind this idea. The Town was great with some quality action scenes. Gone Baby Gone was really great too.

If he had to play somebody, I can see him as a Steve Trevor type.

Posted by JamDamage

From what I know, the guy likes comic books, and from another thing I know the guy can really direct. He's proven it. He's also outstanding with dialogue so I don't think it will be cheesy in the speak department. I'm all for this. Nolans Batman was dark. It's looks to be going this route with Superman as well, and Affleck is pretty damn dark too. I'm all for this. I'm Happy Happy Happy.

Posted by feargalr

Seriously WB? Marvel get Joss Whedon and you get Ben Affleck.... What are you smoking and how do I get some!?!

Posted by Zaklops

Did anybody at Warner Bros see Daredevil? Ben Afflleck and Superheroes don't mix.

Posted by DarthShap

He actually happens to be a pretty decent director. Gone Baby Gone and The Town are good movies.

Posted by deadpool25mm

"Daredevil to direct Justice League" DC you sure about that?

Posted by CrimsonAvenger

YES!

Posted by k4tzm4n
@DDangelico said:

@JohnnyWalker: THE TOWN and GONE BABY GONE are both stellar films mostly due to Affleck's direction, and ARGO looks like it will be solid as well...

This may not be such a bad idea.

Yes, ARGO looks like a solid film as well.
Staff
Posted by SocialBat

Guillermo Del Toro should direct it. I have no real arguments as to why, other than I want him to direct everything

Edited by MB25

Warner Brothers hates DC?

Posted by Gonzo33

A man who has made two (and is about to release his third) hardcore crime dramas...yeah, good one DC. I'll be over here, making it rain with Whedon.

Posted by Crash_Recovery

I think we should all rush to judgement immediately, especially if we haven't seen The Town.

Nothing adds to the discussion more than uninformed Fanboy rage.

Posted by mettlekm

OMG! that is such a bad idea... i mean... just bad...

Let Ben stick with South Boston flicks, he does them well.

Posted by SocialBat

@MB25: lol

Posted by darkrider

i want to say a bad word please comicvine let me say it

Posted by CRACKERMAN92

Not a bad idea. The Town and Gone Baby Gone are really good films.

Posted by Sveppi

Ben Affleck is a terrific director, don't let your opinions on him as an actor cloud your judgement.

Posted by DDangelico

@Crash_Recovery said:

I think we should all rush to judgement immediately, especially if we haven't seen The Town.

Nothing adds to the discussion more than uninformed Fanboy rage.

BUT HE WAS IN A BAD COMIC BOOK MOVIE ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO!!! :-P

Edited by The_Tree

I'd still prefer someone like Brad Bird to direct this movie, but Affleck is a great director who just may be able to handle this.

@agabe said:

Actually don't mind this idea. The Town was great with some quality action scenes. Gone Baby Gone was really great too.

If he had to play somebody, I can see him as a Steve Trevor type.

Perfect. Especially as how Trevor is being portrayed lately in Justice League.

Posted by BushidoBlack

Well, he's not a bad director. Interesting developments.

Posted by sesquipedalophobe

Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu....

Posted by JohnnyWalker

@DarthShap: decent doesnt cut it for a jl movie, nor do 2 movies under his belt

@DDangelico: your taste in movies. but lets look beyond taste lets look at what type of movies those were. affleck only experience with anything remotely connected to comics was daredevil, and i personally enjoyed it, but that was a solo movie. this is a superhero movie. with 7 iconic heroes. even if he does decent he will be crucified by fans.

Posted by inferiorego

@DDangelico said:

@JohnnyWalker: THE TOWN and GONE BABY GONE are both stellar films mostly due to Affleck's direction, and ARGO looks like it will be solid as well...

This may not be such a bad idea.

You've said everything I was about to say.

Staff
Posted by xAnimosity

Daredevil was bad period, not because of Affleck. The Town was awesome and I heard his new movie Argo is phenomenal as well. I think he could be a good pick, but as for starring in it, Im not sure who I would want him to play.

Posted by DDangelico

@JohnnyWalker: Nolan's only experience when he had Batman Begins was two solid crime films...just a thought.

Posted by sEsposito7

I'm going to get flamed for this, but I'm going for it anyway...

I wouldn't mind seeing Affleck be given the directors chair for JL, and I think he'd make a good Hal Jordan.

Posted by BushidoBlack
Posted by DDangelico

@JohnnyWalker: Also, he was in Hollywoodland which was connected to Superman...

Posted by ogarza

a little part of me just died from reading this

Posted by Or35ti

That doesn't sounds like a bad idea at all! So long as Kevin Smith doesn't decide he wants in because it's a comic book movie. I love the movies Affleck directs and I really think he's matured. I wonder which superhero, if any, he would play. Maybe he could play Steve Trevor as I don't think he fits the look for any of the League members.

Posted by Webjaker

As Director ... worth 'considering'.

As cast - If they make him Barry Allen ... you dont even want to know what I will do >:(

Posted by JohnnyWalker

@DDangelico: from which he took the noir atmosphere and incorporated nicely in the batman movies. will the jl be taking on bank robbers?

Posted by Omega Ray Jay

He's competent enough, just surprised by the choice.

Online
Posted by starrk_coyote

@SandMan_: you have taken the words out of my mouth! you are my new hero!

Posted by JoseDRiveraTCR7

As long as he doesn't act then I have no problems. Affleck is a great director.

Posted by Imagine_Man15

Ben Affleck is actually a good director. He has a tendency to star in crappy movies, but the ones that he directs rather than just act in, are very good.

Posted by Vortex13

To me this isn't a terrible idea. Definitely not one I would have chosen but it is an interesting possibility. I really wouldn't want him to play a role in it though. He gets a lot a flack for being a terrible actor but the way I see it he's been in some terrible movies with terrible creative forces that were so bad that pretty much everyone in the movie was bad not just him. In my opinion he is a good actor, still don't think he'd be right for a superhero role as a Justice League member though. But maybe a King Faraday type character. He is undoubtedly a good director too, so if he just kept in that role I think it'd be better.

Online
Posted by DDangelico

@JohnnyWalker: Did Batman?

Posted by TheCrowbar

There isn't a facepalm hard enough for this.

Posted by The Stegman

[Judgement Reserved]

Posted by Superguy0009e

IDK, I would have to wait to see a script/storyline first.

@SocialBat: Yes

Posted by RedQueen

As long as the film is all sorts of awesome I don't really mind who is directing.

With the exception of Joss Whedon (any chance he can defect from Marvel for a little bit?)

Use your keyboard!

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