Ben Affleck to Direct Justice League Maybe?
In an update, Ben Affleck's camp is now denying rumors that he may direct Justice League. Still, JL movie news is JL movie news, so let's look at this for a second.
The Town (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Gone Baby Gone (also 94%, and winner of four prestigious awards). These are Ben Affleck's two current directorial credits. And let's not forget 1993's I Killed my Lesbian Wife, Hung her on a Meat Hook, and Now I have a Three Picture Deal at Disney (I haven't seen it either, but I saw it on his Wiki and NEEDED to include it).Â
So, exactly what is the issue people have with him directing Justice League? I can trace it to nothing more than the fact that he is, in fact, Ben Affleck. Am I a fan of his acting? Not usually (Though he has a few standout moments, specifically in Dazed and Confused and movies he directs, though there are two or three others). So why are people getting up in arms about this? It's an announcement met with nothing but hostility for one of the better choices Warner could make. Let's face it; when Affleck is behind the camera, he makes great character pieces, which is exactly what Justice League needs to be if it's going to be set apart from Avengers.
Avengers was a series of great set pieces and hilarious jokes. That's the Marvel film universe. A lot of flash and sizzle meaning ultimately nothing. I loved Avengers, but it didn't change or affect me in any profound way. Dark Knight Rises did, because I was following a journey of Bruce Wayne. His story meant something to me. So looking at that as a bar for Warner, why not let Marvel have the big action movies? Why not stick to what works for them in fantastic character-driven stories. Instead of the older JL origin, maybe go with something with more of an emotional bond. Watch them struggle against becoming a team, analyzing why it doesn't work for each specific member (Frankly, if everyone looks at Superman and says, "What do you need me for?" I would be fine with it. Have Supes deal with the realization that, as much as he tries, he'll never fit in, even among the other Supers). Then, give a threat that pulls them together in spite of themselves. Something magical that can take down Superman or something like that. Make the other members realize that they are just as good as Supes, and have that be the glue that binds them. The realization that sometimes, even Superman needs help.
Yes, I realize this idea is heavily following Superman, but if it's going to be done right, it has to be. The fact that everyone else pales compared to him HAS to be addressed, and has to be a driving factor. In the end, make it the story of a group of like-minded individuals joining together in spite of what they want, not because they have nothing better to do.
That was what Avengers failed at. The only reason they were fighting together was because they were told they should. The threat was huge, but they had very little drawing them together. There will need to be a reason. This is the kind of movie that will not only set JL apart, but will also be perfect for a director like Affleck. He can focus on those small character moments and take time with a smaller team (Supes, Bats, WW, GL, Flash, and one more), instead of expanding ridiculously (Including Hill, Coulson, and Fury, there were 9 major characters in Avengers fighting for screen time).Â
Now, Affleck would need to play someone. It's part of his contracts. I'm okay with that, too. Let's look at the two performances of his that I liked and kept quiet about. First, Hollywoodland. In this movie, Affleck played George Reeves, the first Superman. Obviously, he was required to don the spandex for the role and take on a 40s-esque Superman. The performance (I remind you, partially as Superman), got him nominated for a Golden Globe and won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor.
The other will be a little more shaky. Daredevil. I hated that movie so hard. Hated. However, let's be clear; what I hated was the script and the directing and the musical choices. I loved Ben Affleck's turn as Matt Murdock (And I'm a big DD fan). I thought he was a perfect choice for the role. He had the mannerisms and look down. He was a little arrogant and playful, pulling nicely from DD's happier times. He was dark when he needed to be. It was a great and compelling performance, and one of the first to prove to me that the tights didn't stop a movie from being a character exploration.
So cast him as number six. Who should he play? Well, he does "Down-on-his-luck" and "Lesser-than" characters really well, so how about Ray Palmer Atom? Take a page from Matt Damon's book, have him put on a few pounds to be Blue Beetle (Because, yes, this movie will need some kind of comedy relief). Maybe Martian Manhunter, the only man who can face Superman but is too afraid of the responses to do so. There are a number of good choices that he could bring a lot to.
And no, I don't think Aquaman should be in this movie. As badass as he is now, people still see him as a joke. Aquaman needs to be introduced some other way, or during the movie in a smaller capacity. Give people a chance to warm up to a cooler, tougher Arthur Curry before bringing him in for movie 2.