Ben Affleck says Zack Snyder inspired him to want to direct a ‘Batman’ film

Warner Bros. is finally unleashing their highly-anticipated DC Extended Universe this year, introducing new characters in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. One of the most important pieces that will be featured in both of those films is Ben Affleck’s Batman, a move that will culminate with Affleck directing a solo Batman film in the future.

Speaking with USA Today, Affleck was asked if one of the reasons he signed on for Batman was to one day have the opportunity to make a comic book adaptation. He revealed that was never his intention, but seeing Batman V Superman director Zach Snyder on set inspired him to at least consider it.

“I’ll just say going through the process, I would never have imagined that I could or would direct a movie like this. And in working with (Batman v Superman director Zack Snyder) and seeing what he did and watching him every day, I got really inspired by that and by seeing the scope on which he was telling the story, by seeing what he was able to do with this kind of mythic story on a grand scale.”

Fans expressed outrage over Affleck’s casting and now seem more eager to see the Gone Girl star as Gotham’s Dark Knight.

Screen Rant states that “Affleck’s inexperience with special effects (as a director) probably wouldn’t even come into play that much on a solo Batman film. That particular character is more reality-based than DC’s other heroes, and Affleck’s sensibilities as a filmmaker could craft a compelling crime drama from the source material.”

A solo Batman film has not been announced, but the studio intends on getting the film out before 2020 (along with another solo Superman film). Affleck will have everything wrapped on his Live by Night before the ball gets rolling on Bruce Wayne’s next adventure, so the schedules should line up.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice opens on March 25, 2016, followed by Suicide Squad on August 5, 2016.

In Dawn of Justice, Affleck stars as Batman/ Bruce Wayne, Henry Cavill returns as Superman, and Gal Gadot makes her debut as Wonder Woman. Jason Momoa will also make a cameo as Aquaman.

The film also stars Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Holly Hunter as Senator Finch, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth. Jena Malone and Scoot McNairy also appear in unspecified roles, but are rumored to be a version of Barbara Gordon and Jimmy Olsen respectively.

The other films and release dates are: Wonder Woman on June 23, 2017; Justice League Part One on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 23, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern on June 19, 2020.

The Superman and Batman solo films don’t yet have release dates.