Ben Affleck opened up in a new interview about his struggle with alcoholism and his decision to walk away from Batman.
The actor, who was originally set to direct and star in 2021's The Batman but dropped out of the project, spoke with The New York Times in a profile published Tuesday, in which he revealed his choice to exit the film was related to his battle with alcoholism.
"I showed somebody the Batman script," Affleck said. "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 though again.''
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
This was after Affleck had reprised the role of Batman in the critical failure and commercial disappointment Justice League, which followed the movie in which Affleck debuted as Batman, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The Times writes that Affleck's experience on Justice League, which went through heavy reshoots, "sapped his interest" in Batman. After Affleck dropped out of the standalone film, Matt Reeves stepped in to replace him as director, while Robert Pattinson is taking over as the caped crusader.
Affleck further opened up about his struggle with alcoholism throughout the interview, discussing the fact that he "started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart" and telling the Times, "It took me a long time to fundamentally, deeply, without a hint of doubt, admit to myself that I am an alcoholic. The next drink will not be different." Read the full interview at The New York Times.
