Ben Affleck, who writes, directs and stars in this week’s big release Live By Night, has been speaking about his next, very high profile project for Warner Bros, the planned stand-alone Batman movie The Batman. Affleck is in the middle of writing the screenplay for the film, and has plans to direct, and this week was speaking with USA Today about the pressures that come with it all.
“Superhero movies get the level of attention that is nothing like any film I’ve done,” The actor said. “You cast the 14th lead in these movies and the Internet goes crazy. I understand and embrace that. That’s part of the pressure that comes with doing it. That’s why I am not going to do it, unless I really feel confident about it. But when that day comes, should that day come, I’m sure that’s going to be the most pressure, the most stress I have ever experienced in my professional life. There’s no doubt.”
He also said that certain practical modifications have to come with the planning and execution of the film, particularly the Bat-suit.
“I know what’s it’s like to be in the suit. We’ll have to modify the suit to make it a little bit easier to put on and take off. When you are in it, you can be sweating, crazy and exhausted, do your part and walk away. But when you’re a director, you can’t walk away. You have to be there for everybody. Chief among the challenges of doing Batman, will be finding a suit that’s more comfortable.”
The Batman is currently rumoured for a 2018 release, though that’s not confirmed as a start date for shooting has also still to be set.
More as it comes in. Live By Night is now on general release.