Ben Affleck might be in charge--and in--the Justice League.
Okay, Ben Affleck’s one attempt at playing a superhero didn’t go well–the 2003 big screen version of the comic book character “Daredevil” flopped at the box office and disappointed fans. But maybe he’ll get a second shot at the genre–on both sides of the camera. Variety reports that Warner Brothers is gauging Affleck’s interest in directing a “Justice League,” sending him the most recent script from Will Beall (“Gangster Squad”). Supposedly he’s the only candidate who’s gotten the script so far.
Yes, we know, they’ve been talking about a “Justice League” movie for years. No, we don’t know if it will ever happen. If so, Variety says this incarnation of the League would include Batman and Superman, as well as Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash.
Affleck’s been in favor at WB for making “The Town” for a small amount of money, which it more than earned back. His “Argo,” also for WB will premiere in Toronto next month before opening wide in October. If they’re offering him “Justice League,” they must be pretty happy with “Argo.”
The only movie Affleck has directed which he hasn’t also starred in, was his directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone.” That leads to speculation that he would want to be one of the Justice League members as well as direct the movie, which would be breaking precedent–other actors have found success directing big superhero movies, but not while starring in them.
It’s also possible that Affleck may pass on directing because a major project like this would tie him up for several years. He’s also been considering starring in “Replay,” an adaptation of Ken Grimwood’s 1987 novel, and Warner Brothers has also been considering putting him in charge of a two part adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Stand.” If he goes with “Justice League,” it’s unclear whether that means “The Stand” would be put off until he was available, or whether WB would give it to someone else.
In addition to “Argo,” Affleck also stars in Terrence Malick’s “To the Wonder,” and also finished filming “Runner Runner.” And of course he’s also supposed to be developing a movie about Boston crime icon Whitey Bulger with Matt Damon. Remember when it looked like Affleck had wrecked his career with some awful action movie choices? Yeah, that’s over.
