Geeks logo

Defending Ben Affleck's Departure from Batman

Understanding His History

By SkylerPublished 4 years ago 8 min read
1

Remember a time when Ben Affleck was both writing and directing a Batman film, that he would be starring in? Recall rumors of Deathstroke being in it and even speculation of all the Batman’s rogues appearing? Later on, Matt Reeves signed on to direct or maybe even co-direct. Fans became lost in this development. At first appearance, the idea was Matt Reeves is simply co-directing or directing, regardless, this was still Ben Affleck’s Batman. In time though, this was no longer the case. Reeves threw out the script, Robert Pattinson is cast and Ben Affleck simply retired the cape and cowl. I admit, I am a fan of Batfleck as fans came to call him. However, I personally feel Affleck made the right choice.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice wrapped up in early December 2014. Months later, in June 2015, he and his wife Jennifer Garner announced they were separated. These two began dating in mid-2004, getting married a whole year later. Hence, their relationship was already ten years strong by the time of their separation. Keep in mind, a break-up is not an overnight event. There was build-up to this, perhaps some of it during his work on his Batman work. The media went crazy at the time, you could find articles and pictures of basically ‘are they’ or ‘are they not’ together? Separation on average does lead to divorce, but not always and does not always have to. In early 2015, Ben Affleck began filming The Accountant and later in the fall of 2015 he began filming his directorial piece Live by Night. Come 2016 is the release of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and almost after the film came to theaters, Justice League began filming. Again, during all this time it is hard to say what Affleck is going through and feeling. How closer are these two to finalizing what and where their relationship is? Keep in mind, during this time he is living in a guesthouse at the family home. Can you imagine being relegated to the role of ‘guest’ in your own home? The same home where your wife and children sleep.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner jointly filed for divorce in April 2017. The divorce was legally finalized in October 2018. Remember, films begin shooting in the year prior to their theatrical release. Take a look at Ben Affleck’s filmography and the he has no credits for 2018!

Sadly, alcoholism and mental illness runs in his family. Two of his grandparents were alcoholics. His paternal grandmother, an alcoholic, committed suicide at the age of only 46. Due to his father’s alcoholism, Ben went to Al-Anon Meetings, a "worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics, whether or not the alcoholic recognizes the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help." Ben even noted his father was "very difficult" to live with and found "relief" when his parents divorced when he was only 12 years old. Sadly, his father who further embraced the bottle, ended up homeless for two years and eventually going into rehab, when Ben was only 16 years old. Ben’s father went on to live there for twelve years to maintain his sobriety. Drinking for Ben began at a young age. In, fact his mother had to send him at the age of 15 to a center for at-risk teenagers. He finally became sober in his mid-twenties. Yet, he relapsed and in 2001 he received treatment for his addictive drinking.

Why is any of this history important you ask? With his marital problems, he took to the bottle again! One cannot help but look at that scene from Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice as possibly hitting too close to home. You see him wake-up in bed with a woman, surrounded by bottles and take a swig from one to down some pills. Hard to say what time of day it is, but it certainly is not dark out, hence it is not five o’clock. Bruce Wayne is dealing with his own PTSD and possible mid-life crisis. Hence, he takes to drinking and sleeping with women. Even Alfred notices his master’s drinking as he says “I hope the next generation of Wayne's won't inherit an empty wine cellar.” Most fans are accustomed to Bruce Wayne, the philandering, drinking playboy act, but that’s all it is – an act! Gordon makes note of this in The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, in how it was just ginger ale in his glass, not alcohol. This is one rare occasion where Bruce Wayne truly is the drinking, philander that the press believes him to be.

Combine this with some other issues. After Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was Ben Affleck’s Live by Night, a film he wrote, directed, produced and starred in. The film was based off of a novel by Dennis Lehane. This is the same author that gave us Gone Baby Gone, which led to a highly acclaimed directorial debut from Ben Affleck when he adapted the book to film. When trailers for Live by Night arrived, people were excited. People believed this was going to be Affleck’s potential Oscar film. Unfortunately, the film did not garner great reception and even failed to make back its production budget. Personally, I loved the film! No one takes to rejection and failure well. In February 2020, he even notes to experiencing both anxiety and depression. Warner Bros was quick to get a Batman film together with Ben Affleck behind the script, behind the camera and in cape and cowl. In the same month he stated “I showed somebody The Batman script. They said, ‘I think the script is good. I also think you’ll drink yourself to death if you go through what you just went through again.”

This is what I feel needs to be addressed. Again, Warner Bros wanted capitalize on Batfleck as soon as possible. Batman v. Superman was not the hit they wanted, becoming a divisive film among fans and critics. Still, some fans and critics loved Ben Affleck’s performance, even if they did not care for this interpretation of Batman. Many were quick to even throw Christian Bale under the bus as yesterday’s news. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck’s Argo and The Town were huge hits. Who’s to say Affleck cannot do the same for the Dark Knight? Imagine the anxiety and pressure to churn out something like this? Understand, Affleck himself is a Batman fan, just ask Kevin Smith. He does not want to ruin this film and more importantly this character. One has more pressure in adapting a fan-loved, historic intellectual property like Batman. Had The Town been a failure, no big deal, relatively speaking. Now couple this to his divorce and coming off the failure of Live by Night.

I myself can speak to something of this. My parents were divorced when I was a little younger than Ben Affleck. My divorce came after Affleck’s but my ex-wife and I were together for roughly the same amount of time as well. My ex-wife even offered to let me to continue living with her in a separate room for roughly a year, which I rejected. Although, I did not take to the bottle but I was battling depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Hearing or seeing anything that I could connect to my ex-wife I wanted nothing to do with. Certain songs would bring me to tears. A new season of a show dealt with the divorce of two characters, which caused me to hold off on watching the show. Who’s to say Affleck did not have the same problems? He worked on this Batman character during the time of his marital problems. Does he really want to continue it?

Finally, I want to address the fans. I loved Batfleck, part of me was quick to embrace him and push Christian Bale to the side. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is one of my all-time favorite films. Just like many other fans, I was greatly disappointed with Justice League and what was done with Batman, turning him into a joke that makes Adam West look regal in comparison almost. Warner Bros wanted a new Batman film out as soon as possible, basically they wanted to rush it to print. Remember the last time we rushed Batman to production? We got Batman and Robin! Need I explain anymore? You can find other examples of rushed films that churned out both low reception and poor box office returns. Who’s to say the same would not happen with Ben Affleck’s Batman film? Live by Night was not rushed, but by all means was deemed a failure. Not only that, but Affleck felt his own mental health was more important than this film. Forgive me, but Warner Bros does not care about Ben Affleck’s mental health or in making a film, but making a release date.

We need to remember our stars, actors and celebrities are people too! Too many times we continue to view them as mere consumer items to provide us with more entertainment in the form of television, movies and or music. They have their own faults, problems and needs. I dare say going through a divorce can be traumatic. Ben Affleck took to drinking, whereas I took to suicidal thoughts and isolating myself for a while. More and more, our society needs to practice empathy. My fellow DC fans should have an idea on what leads to a lack of empathy. Let's just say the victim will tell you 'you get what you fucking deserve!' Again, it is a shame we got an inferior Batman in Justice League and no Batman film from Affleck. Instead, we should take solace that he has moved on from his divorce, is doing better and still did give us an incredibly memorable Batman for the ages.

I say thank you Ben Affleck...

If you enjoy what you read here, feel free to leave a like and a tip.

celebrities
1

About the Creator

Skyler

Full-time worker, history student and an avid comic book nerd.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.