Ben Affleck and Warner Bros. came to an agreement that the star will no longer direct The Batman.
Affleck is still portraying the Caped Crusader and will still act as a producer for the sequel to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
According to Variety, Affleck and the studio are after a new director. Matt Reeves, who directed War for the Planet of the Apes, is on the list of choices to helm the film.
“Warner Bros. fully supports Ben Affleck’s decision and remains committed to working with him to bring a standalone Batman picture to life,” the studio released in a statement on Jan. 30.
“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,” admits Affleck. “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.”
Earlier this month, when asked about his directing gig for The Batman, the actor told The Guardian, “That’s the idea. But it’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”
Fans of the superhero can see Affleck in Justice League out Nov. 17.