Earlier this month, we reported that the pressures of both playing Batman and directing The Batman were getting to Ben Affleck, with him lightly freaking out a couple of times when people asked about the status of the film. Essentially, he was annoyed that nobody cared about Live By Night as much as they cared about the iconic comic book character that has enjoyed a consistent level of popularity for several decades, with Affleck even going so far as to say that the constant Batman-related questions were “a pain in the ass.”
Now, it looks like Affleck has finally caved to that pressure. According to Variety, he will be stepping down as the director of The Batman, but he will still star as the eponymous caped crusader—reprising his roles from Batman V Superman and the upcoming Justice League. Affleck also released a statement about his decision to give up the directing gig, and it basically sounds like he realized he couldn’t handle the weight of a Batman movie any longer:
There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions…Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.
Now, DC and Warner Bros. will begin searching for a replacement.