Ben Affleck has spoken publicly once again about his time as Batman, and he has done so with unusual sincerity. The actor contrasted two of the most important productions from his time at DC: the positive experience he had on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) versus the difficulties he went through during the filming of Justice League (2017).
The statements come at a particularly opportune time. Affleck is promoting his new film, Animals, which premieres on Netflix on October 9, 2026, and he used the interview with Variety to take stock of his time in the DC cinematic universe, which has now concluded following the arrival of James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm of the company.
What is striking is that, in the same conversation, the actor also offered praise for Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, which has added an extra ingredient of interest to his words.
Ben Affleck loved Batman v Superman, but suffered with Justice League
Affleck debuted as Batman in Batman v Superman, the film directed by Zack Snyder that pitted two of DC's most popular superheroes against each other on screen. Despite the intense arguments it generated among fans, the actor retains a very positive memory of that shoot.
The situation changed radically with Justice League. According to his own words, as reported by Variety, he enjoyed making Batman v Superman a lot because it was truly fun, while Justice League had many problems and, in his terms, was not as fun. Affleck also noted that he was glad that Snyder was finally able to show his vision of the film, something he considered rewarding.
The actor does not disown having played Batman, nor does he completely rule out his experience at DC. What he makes clear is that Justice League was marked by complications that directly affected his experience during filming.
The complicated path of Justice League
The production of Justice League is one of the most troubled in recent superhero cinema. The project suffered numerous changes, especially when Joss Whedon took over the direction of new scenes and the version that finally reached theaters, moving away from Zack Snyder's initial approach.
That situation sparked a strong mobilization by the director's fans, who demanded for years to see his original cut. Finally, Snyder was able to present his own version of the film, an opportunity that Affleck continues to value very positively and which reflects the respect he maintains for the filmmaker's work.
Ben Affleck reflects on the dark tone of DC
Beyond the production problems, Affleck also touched on one of the debates that accompanied the old DC universe: the commitment to particularly dark stories and its effect on the connection with younger audiences.
The actor acknowledged that he does not have a definitive answer regarding the tone that superhero films should have. As he explained, the question remains recurring: whether to bet on an adult rating, as happened with Joker, or to seek a broader approach, as Marvel generally does, except in cases like Deadpool & Wolverine.
Affleck's reflection does not argue that all superhero films should be lighter, but rather points to the difficulty of balancing the identity of each story with the expectations of the audience that goes to the theaters.
Ben Affleck surprises with his praise for Kevin Feige
The actor's statements were not limited to DC. Affleck also spoke about Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and one of the most influential figures in the construction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Far from fueling the usual rivalry between fans of both franchises, the actor was blunt in his assessment of the producer: he asserted that Feige is a kind of genius and that he does not know any other producer in the world capable of anticipating what the public wants with such accuracy.
This is a relevant recognition, as Affleck is highlighting a very specific skill: Feige's ability to interpret the expectations of viewers and translate them into successful cinematic decisions.
What can DC learn from Marvel’s success?
Affleck's words invite us to think about the different strategies followed by both studios. While Marvel Studios developed a shared universe under Feige's creative supervision, the former DCEU went through a stage marked by changes in direction and continuity problems, such as the one that directly affected Justice League.
This does not mean that the actor advocates copying the Marvel formula. His admiration focuses specifically on Feige's ability to understand the public, a quality that Affleck himself acknowledges is difficult to replicate, especially when there is no simple answer as to what tone superhero films should adopt.
Will we see Ben Affleck as Batman again?
DC is currently developing a new cinematic stage under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran, while the version of Batman played by Robert Pattinson, driven by Matt Reeves, continues its own path independently.
The Dark Knight has not yet been integrated into the main continuity of this new universe. For the moment, there is no confirmation of a possible return of Ben Affleck to the role, and his statements do not point in that direction, but rather focus on analyzing his past experience and the current state of the superhero genre.
The truth is that Affleck can speak about his time as Batman without reducing it to a negative memory. He especially enjoyed Batman v Superman, went through difficulties with Justice League, and celebrates that Zack Snyder was finally able to show his own vision. Although he has left the cape behind, his reflections show that he still has much to contribute to the debate on superhero cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ben Affleck say about Batman v Superman and Justice League?
He stated that he enjoyed filming Batman v Superman a lot, while Justice League was marked by numerous production problems that made the experience less pleasant.
Why did Justice League have so many problems?
The direction changed hands during the process, as Joss Whedon took over the filming of new scenes and the final cut, moving away from Zack Snyder's original vision, which resulted in a very troubled production.
What does Ben Affleck think of Kevin Feige?
He described him as a genius and asserted that he is the only producer capable of accurately anticipating what the public expects from a film.
Will Ben Affleck play Batman again?
There is no confirmation regarding this. His recent statements focus on recalling his past experience and do not announce a possible return to the character within the new DCU.
What film is Ben Affleck releasing on Netflix?
Animals, which is scheduled for release on October 9, 2026, on the platform.
