‘Animals’ Star Ben Affleck Calls ‘Justice League’ Reshoots the Low Point of His Career

Ben Affleck’s time as Batman was one of the most talked-about chapters of his career. After debuting as the Dark Knight in Zack Snyder’s DC films, he was once expected to take the character into a standalone movie that he would also direct.

That plan never materialized. Affleck has previously told Entertainment Weekly that making ‘Justice League’ was a nadir experience that left him not wanting to continue as Batman, a period he has linked to personal struggles including drinking too much and going through a divorce.

Now, Affleck has offered his most candid comments yet about what happened behind the scenes. Appearing on Josh Horowitz’s ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast while promoting his new Netflix film ‘Animals’, he described the ‘Justice League’ reshoots as the low point of his career.

Affleck explained that the experience was deeply negative for many reasons, some tied to his own personal situation and others connected to the tragedy that unfolded at the time. Snyder stepped away from the film following the death of his 20-year-old daughter, Autumn, by suicide.

Affleck said that loss overshadowed everything else. He also criticized how Warner Bros. handled the situation, saying he believed the tragedy was used as a pretext to replace Snyder with Joss Whedon, which he called one of the worst things he had ever witnessed.

The actor also reflected on the atmosphere during the reshoots. He noted that he wasn’t present for much of what happened but heard accounts secondhand from other actors, describing the overall environment as deeply unpleasant.

Ben Affleck says Justice League was the low point of his career “The experience of Justice League for me was so, so negative for lots of different reasons.” “When the studio is at odds with the filmmaker, you’re really making a mistake. That was what really doomed that.” “Him being taken off that movie and the reshoots that we did… that was the low point of my career.” “I was drinking too much, and I got divorced. It was definitely a very difficult time for me personally.”

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Whedon was brought in to handle roughly 2 months of reshoots, with Snyder later estimating that around 60 new pages of material were filmed. Gal Gadot later accused Whedon of threatening her on set, claims he denied.

The theatrical version of ‘Justice League’ became a critical and commercial misfire for the studio. For Affleck, the experience clearly left lasting scars. Affleck said the production taught him exactly how not to make a movie. In his view, things go wrong when a studio is at odds with its filmmaker.

He added that he felt the studio made a serious mistake. Those experiences ultimately killed his desire to direct a standalone Batman movie. Despite his frustration, Affleck expressed genuine happiness about how things eventually turned out for Snyder. The director was later able to release his own 4-hour version of the film on HBO Max, known widely as the Snyder Cut.

Affleck said he was glad and gratified that Snyder got to release his vision. He made it clear he was thrilled for his former director. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ received a much better reception than the theatrical version. For many fans, it served as a vindication of Snyder’s original plans.

The same conversation touched on other parts of Affleck’s superhero history. He confirmed he never met with the studio about directing ‘Man of Steel’, despite long-standing rumors.

He also revealed that Kevin Feige has never approached him about returning as Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Affleck said he would welcome the call if it ever came. Affleck’s comments offer a rare and honest look at one of the most turbulent productions in recent superhero history. They also highlight the human cost behind the headlines.

Now focused on projects like ‘Animals’, Affleck appears to have moved on from Gotham. Still, his reflections show just how much that chapter shaped his views on filmmaking. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available; in the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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