Playing a marquee superhero role can be a highlight of an actor’s career, but for some, it’s just another part of their filmography. For actors like Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Robert Pattinson, who have all played Batman, it’s an entertaining but not defining experience. However, for Ben Affleck, his time as the Caped Crusader is a period he looks back on with regret.

Affleck’s dissatisfaction during his “Batfleck” era was well-documented and became a popular meme. He first played Batman in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and also appeared in both versions of Justice League. His last appearance as Batman was a cameo in 2023’s The Flash. With new leadership at DC and a new Batman established in Robert Pattinson, it seems Affleck is finally free from any future obligations.

In a recent interview with GQ, Affleck expressed that he has found more creative fulfillment in producing and directing than acting. His experience on the Justice League set was a significant factor in this shift. “There were many reasons why that was a painful experience,” he explained. “It wasn’t just about being in a superhero movie. I’ve lost interest in what initially drew me to it. I wouldn’t want to repeat an experience like that, with misaligned agendas and expectations. I also had my own shortcomings during that time.”

Affleck also felt that the DC Extended Universe had become too dark, which was a problem for a significant part of the audience. “My own son was too scared to watch the movie,” he recalled. “I realized we had a problem. The filmmaker and the studio had different visions, which was a bad combination.” However, not all of his experience as Batman was negative. “I had a great time working on Batman v Superman and my brief stints on The Flash,” he said. “I loved the idea of an older, broken Bruce Wayne, which we explored in the first movie.”

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