Rumor: Ben Affleck could be directing The Brave and the Bold for DC Studios

A rumor suggests that Ben Affleck is returning to the all-new DCU under co-CEOs for a Batman-related project under James Gunn and Peter Safran but this time behind the camera…

Ben Affleck is very familiar with Batman. The veteran actor portrayed the Dark Knight in the original DC Extended Universe. Now, a new rumor suggests that he could be returning to the new DC Universe to direct a movie about him.

A recent report from Above the Line (H/T: The Direct), suggests that Affleck could be directing DC Studios’ The Brave and the Bold,  the film that will officially launch the rebooted DCU’s Batman.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Affleck potentially directing for DC Studios. after all, co-CEO and co-chairman, James Gunn, were open to the idea of the Argo filmmaker coming on board to lend his directing talents on other films under his studio’s slate.

Is Ben Affleck directing The Brave and the Bold?

Following the announcement of Chapter 1 of the DCU for DC Studios dubbed Gods and Monsters, a new film exploring the members of The Bat Family which will feature a new Batman and his son Damian Wayne as a Robin was revealed as a live-action movie entitled The Brave and the Bold which has been stated to be influenced by Grant Morrison’s run in the comics.

Right now there has been no official announcement from Gunn, Safran, or Warner Bros. themselves on any talent attached to the project as of yet. Furthermore, another media-outlet Joblo published Gunn’s response to a user on Twitter on whether Affleck is directing The Brave and the Bold. The fan went so far as to accuse the DC studio executive of lying.

This writer is not aware of Above the Line’s track record but would be willing to rely more on Gunn and Safran’s statement than otherwise. Also, Slash Film suggested Affleck’s skill set plus his area of expertise lend itself more to helming films like The Authority or series like Lanterns due to its True Detective inspiration and Affleck’s affinity for a more “adult fare”.

Could Ben Affleck be finally done with Batman?

Before the DCU announcement for Chapter 1, things did not pan out so well for Affleck, as not only was he preparing his farewell to the cape and cowl on this year’s The Flash movie, but he not only long ago joined frequent collaborator and co-founder, Matt Damon, in forming his production company, Artists Equity, back in November 2022.

This signaled the end of his work on the character in the spotlight at least as he is expected to have a busy schedule. Now that Gunn welcomed Affleck back to the DCU, it is fair to say there may be space to helm a DC character, maybe not Batman in the future.

What are your thoughts on Ben Affleck speculated to be directing The Brave and the Bold? Which DCU project do you think would suit him best? What character would you want him to adapt for DC Studios? Sound off in the comments below!