Ben Affleck candidly talks about exit from The Batman
After playing the Caped Crusader in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, Ben Affleck was set to don the mask again to direct and star in The Batman.
But in January 2019, it was confirmed that Affleck had stepped away from the film, and in May, Robert Pattinson was announced as the new Batman.
Previously, Affleck said that he left the project because he "couldn't crack it", and in a new interview, the actor has opened up about the toll that playing the superhero took on him personally.
Speaking to The New York Times, Affleck explained: "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'."
Affleck has previously been open about his struggles with alcohol, revealing in 2018 that he had completed a 40-day stay at a treatment centre.
Last August, cinematographer Robert Richardson shared some insight about the plot for Affleck's The Batman, revealing it was to show the "darker side" of the superhero.
"Well, he was going more into the insanity aspects," he revealed. "So I think you would’ve seen something a little darker than what we've seen in the past and more into the individual, who was inside Batman."
Last month, it was announced that filming had officially begun on The Batman with Pattinson leading an all-star cast which includes Zoe Kravitz, Andy Serkis, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro and Peter Sarsgaard.
And last week, we were given our first look at Pattinson in costume.
The Batman has a release date of June 25, 2021.
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website. Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.
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