[Editorial] Ben Affleck Leaving The Batman As Director

In a, shall we say, not so surprising news (after all that back and forth), Variety has reported that Ben Affleck will no longer direct The Batman solo movie.

Affleck has released a statement saying, "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."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Hollywood bullshit.

Even though that's the best possible statement that Affleck and Warner Bros. Studios can put out, there has been so much going on behind the scenes with Warner Bros. and their writers and directors for DC properties.

The Flash has been pushed back now after a merry-go-round of writers and directors coming in and out. Cybrog solo movie is nowhere in sight. Shazam is still uncertain at this point though Dwayne Johnson is always optimistic. And all these started with the cancellation of Justice League 2 after they have announced that Justice League will be split into two movies.

And now, for someone like Affleck, who usually writes, directs and stars in his own movies; which Argo has won for Best Picture at the Oscars. And with that level of success, to put out the statement above, is bullshit.

He has proven that he can do whatever he just said he cannot. So where is the real problem?

It has to be Affleck and the executives of WB not coming to terms with the kind of movie they want to put out.

And how does this look for the upcoming DC slate?

Wonder Woman actually still looks great. It feels like it is not connected to the DC universe and maybe it isn't really. Wonder Woman's timeline is way before the current DC universe, kind of like Captain America: The First Avenger.

Aquaman has not been plagued by all these negative news and James Wan and the cast seem to be moving along just fine.

It's Justice League that I no longer have faith in because it is still by the same people that brought us Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice; and possibly still the same producers that gave us Suicide Squad.

As for the rest after these three movies, who knows what's going to happen at this point. Nothing feels concrete anymore with WB, and it is definitely time to panic for DC fans. We may even need to start expecting Affleck leaving Batman altogether!