‘Animals’ Star Ben Affleck Critiques Warner Bros. Over ‘Justice League’ Reshoots

Few superhero team-ups came with as much baggage as ‘Justice League’. It was intended to be the grand crossover event for the DC Extended Universe, yet its narrative is as much about the turmoil behind the scenes as it is about the film itself. Nearly a decade later, those who experienced the ‘Justice League’ reshoots are still grappling with the aftermath.

Zack Snyder directed the early DCEU films, including ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, which introduced Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne. However, he departed ‘Justice League’ due to conflicts with studio leadership and the tragic passing of his daughter, Autumn. Joss Whedon stepped in to complete the film, overseeing a series of reshoots.

The theatrical version was a critical and commercial disappointment, grossing around $661 million. Recently, Affleck shared what may be his most candid reflection on that period yet. During an appearance on Happy Sad Confused while promoting his Netflix thriller ‘Animals’, he told host Josh Horowitz that the ‘Justice League’ experience marked the lowest point of his career.

Affleck did not shy away from discussing Snyder’s removal. He expressed that the loss of Snyder’s daughter overshadowed everything, and using that tragedy as a rationale for changing directors was among the most appalling things he had witnessed. He described the entire situation as distasteful, noting that the atmosphere during the reshoots was negative.

“That was shtty, him being taken off that movie and the reshoots that we did… Somebody’s death by suicide eclipses everything. The way in which that was, I thought, used as an excuse [to replace Zack with Joss Whedon] was one of the shttiest things I’ve ever seen. It was so gross. The whole environment and vibe [on set during the reshoots], much of which I was not privy to but heard secondhand from the actors, it was just, ‘Wow, this is about as gross as it gets.’”

“I saw how not to make a movie like that, which is where the studio is at odds with the filmmaker. You are really making a mistake. I was really glad and gratified that Zack got to release [his version via the SnyderCut]. That was f*cking great. I was really happy for him.”

Much of what he learned about that atmosphere was relayed to him by fellow actors, including Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot. His impression at the time was that it was “about as gross as it gets.” Whedon was later accused by Gadot of making threats on set, claims he has denied.

Affleck characterized the experience as a cautionary tale of what occurs when a studio and a filmmaker are in conflict. He believes that this discord ultimately led to the film’s failure. He emerged from the experience with a clear understanding of how not to create a movie like it.

He also expressed support for Snyder’s eventual vindication. Snyder’s vision was released as a 4-hour extended cut, which was twice the length of the theatrical version and premiered on HBO Max after a dedicated fan campaign. Affleck stated he was pleased and gratified that Snyder was able to share his version, praising the cleverness with which he accomplished it.

The repercussions extended far beyond just one film. Affleck mentioned his enjoyment in portraying an older, broken Batman, a character inspired by Frank Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns’, which was the vision he and Snyder had for ‘Batman v Superman’. However, the ‘Justice League’ experience left him disillusioned with the character.

He had intended to direct a solo Batman film that reportedly would have included Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke and a journey to Arkham Asylum. That project ultimately fell through and paved the way for Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ starring Robert Pattinson. Affleck previously told Entertainment Weekly that the making of ‘Justice League’ was a low point that made him reluctant to continue playing the role.

In the same conversation, Affleck also confirmed that Lucasfilm had once approached him about directing ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. This serves as a reminder of the various directions his career could have taken. For now, his candid remarks about ‘Justice League’ are generating significant buzz among fans.

These comments arrive at a time when the legacy of the DCEU is still under scrutiny, with Snyder’s supporters long contending that the theatrical cut failed to reflect his true vision. Affleck’s insights provide high-profile validation for that perspective, adding a personal dimension to a narrative often framed in terms of box office performance.

Share your thoughts in the comments on whether Affleck’s account alters your perception of ‘Justice League’ and the studio’s management of Zack Snyder’s departure.

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