Caped crusader behind the camera: Affleck to direct standalone Batman film

Playing the Caped Crusader on the big screen is apparently not enough for Ben Affleck, who is also to direct a Batman film. The Oscar winner, who played Bruce Wayne in the critically derided Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, will be behind the lens for a standalone superhero offering. His involvement was confirmed by Warner Bros chief executive Kevin Tsujihara at CinemaCon, an annual gathering of theatre owners in Las Vegas. It is part of the company’s plans for cinematic domination with up to ten films, based on DC Comics’ back catalogue, in the offing.

It set up a great foundation for our DC slate, which includes at least 10 movies through 2020. I’m also excited to know that we will be working with Ben Affleck on a stand-alone Batman movie.

Warner Bros chief executive Kevin Tsujihara

Affleck has been praised for his debut in the Batman role, although Zack Snyder’s superhero epic has stalled badly at the box office after a $422.5 million worldwide opening last month. Affleck, who is also directing Live By Night for the studio, made an appearance at the LA event with Amy Adams, who plays Lois Lane. He confirmed that both would be joining Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which is in production in London. Warner Bros also trotted out stars and footage from its upcoming films including the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them, The Lego Batman Movie, the Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling comedy The Nice Guys, and Emilia’s Clarke romantic drama Me Before You.