The film industry is ruthless.
The Hollywood spotlight is so fickle that a superstar actor or actress’ career can be gone in the blink of an eye.
Nobody is safe – even A-list actors like Ben Affleck.
The role of Batman is one of the most coveted roles an actor could ever dream to play.
The recently deceased Adam West made Batman famous first in the TV/Film industry, followed up by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck.
But star power is sometimes irrelevant when studios make tough decisions for the sake of the franchise.
This just happened with the short-lived Amazing Spiderman franchise when Sony decided to part ways with Andrew Garfield, despite his good portrayal.
And it looks like the same thing might be happening now with Ben Affleck.
Fox News reports:
“Rumors are swirling that Ben Affleck may be out as Batman.
The Hollywood Reporter citing sources, claims Warner Bros. is working to move the 44-year-old actor out of the role, possibly in favor a younger actor.
A rep for Affleck declined to comment. Reps for Warner Bros. did not immediately return Fox News’ request for comment.
When Affleck was announced as the next Bruce Wayne, critics immediately slammed Warner Bros. choice and many cited the actor’s age as a factor.
With the studio planning to make an ongoing franchise with the release of “Justice League” and a slew of standalone films, Affleck’s caped crusader would be on the older side, especially compared to some of his heroic counterparts.
Additionally, there’s been trouble behind-the-scenes with the upcoming Batman flick for some time. Initially, Affleck was set to direct the film but he stepped down from the role in January.
It was revealed last week that the new director, Matt Reeves, had thrown away the script Affleck had penned.
When he was asked by MTV if he was using Affleck’s work he replied, “No, it’s a new story. It’s just starting again. I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be really cool.”
Otherwise, the world of DC super heroes is at its peak thanks to the immense popularity of “Wonder Woman” and the anticipation of the upcoming “Justice League” film.”
Affleck and DC’s relationship undoubtedly soured upon the release of Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice after the highly anticipated blockbuster was surprisingly bad.
Affleck and DC President Geoff Johns were collaborating on the screenplay for the upcoming standalone Batman movie and he was also supposed to direct.
And in the wake of Affleck’s box-office bomb Live By Night, he confirmed to his fans that he would be directing the stand-alone movie – then the very next day DC/Warner Bros. announced Matt Reeves as the film’s director – a clear media-used power struggle.
But Affleck emphatically denied the rumor he might be replaced at San Diego’s Comic-Con.
Variety reports:
“During a San Diego Comic-Con panel for “Justice League,” the actor hit back at a report in The Hollywood Reporter that Warner Bros. was looking for ways to usher Affleck out of the DC Comics Extended Universe.
‘I am the luckiest guy in the world,’ Affleck said to thunderous applause. “Batman is the coolest [expletive] part.”
Affleck had originally been slated to direct “The Batman,” a standalone film featuring the Dark Knight. However, last winter he opted out of sliding behind the camera on the film, ceding directing duties to Matt Reeves, the filmmaker behind “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
“There’s a misconception that because I wasn’t directing it, I wasn’t enthusiastic about it,” said Affleck.
The Reporter story speculated that the 45-year-old actor was aging out of the part, noting “it would be wise to bet against Affleck starring in ‘The Batman.‘” But Affleck was emphatic that he would be headlining the standalone film.
“I would be a [expletive] ape on the ground for [director] Matt Reeves,” he joked.”
Although Affleck denies the rumor, it’s clear Warner Bros. has kept him out of the loop on their decisions before, and this time may be no different.