How Zack Snyder Feels About Where Ben Affleck's Batman Story Ended Given He’s Hung Up The Cowl

Ben Affleck in Justice League

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The DC Extended Universe has had a unique life, especially when it comes to Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The 2017 theatrical cut eviscerated its story, while also ignoring the narrative seeds that were setting up a sequel and spinoffs. But any of these concepts have since been abandoned, including Ben Affleck’s solo flick as Batman. And now Snyder has explained how he feels about his Batman’s story coming to an end.

Ben Affleck was originally set to direct and star in a Batman movie, opposite Joe Manganiello’s villainous Deathstroke. Unfortunately Affleck stepped away from the director’s chair, before hanging up his cowl and cape altogether. Zack Snyder was recently asked about this abridged version of Batfleck’s story, saying:

I mean, look, there were supposed to be two more movies, so there was always more story to tell with Ben. But I’m pretty happy with the arc that this movie afforded me and the way we ended Ben Affleck’s Batman. I just think that he learned a lot. He’s a different person than he was in Batman v Superman. He’s on his way toward being the kind of the dad of the Justice League. But there was more story

Touche. While Ben Affleck’s tenure as Bruce Wayne in the DCEU may have been cut short, Zack Snyder does seem happy with where the character landed. Because while the five-movie arc wasn’t seen, Batman changed quite a bit in his two appearances.

Zack Snyder’s comments to Variety show how the filmmaker is emotionally negotiating his way through Justice League. While the Snyder Cut allowed for his vision to finally be realized, there were originally going to be two more sequels. Add in Ben Affleck’s solo flick and the character would have developed and grown even more.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available exclusively on HBO Max. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

When we met Ben Affleck’s hulking version of Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, he was almost unrecognizable to some purists. Batman was jaded, isolated, and was capable of extreme brutality and even murder. But his encounter with the Man of Steel changed him, and Justice League follows him trying to honor the late Kryptonian.

Some fans hold out hope that Warner Bros. will #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, despite the fact that the studio has already shut these talks down. Zack Snyder had big plans for the Caped Crusader, including a love triangle with Lois Lane. Unfortunately that vision will probably never be seen IRL.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is currently available on HBO Max, and the DCEU will continue with The Suicide Squad on August 6th. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.