Well, consider us confused.
When DC Studios unveiled its "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters" slate for the new DCU, co-CEO James Gunn confirmed that, while Batman will be recast, the studio is keen to work with Justice League star Ben Affleck behind the camera.
The Suicide Squad helmer went so far as to say that, "[Affleck] really wants to be a part of our architecture team trying to bring things together. And he really wants to direct one of our projects, and we're looking forward to him doing that." In a subsequent Tweet, Gunn confirmed he'd met the actor and now just "[had] to find the right project" for him.
So far, so good, but what's left us baffled? Well, Affleck recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an in-depth conversation about his new movie Air and was asked if he would want to helm a movie for DC.
"I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC. Absolutely not," the actor and filmmaker replied. "I have nothing against James Gunn. Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job. I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that. I’m not interested in that."
Affleck is either looking to throw fans off the scent here or the meeting Gunn mentioned went really badly.
He had once been lined up to direct The Batman when it was set to star his Dark Knight and looked set to pit the hero against Deathstroke. In recent weeks, it's been reported that he might tackle The Brave and the Bold, the upcoming Batman movie that's set to revolve around Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian/Robin.
It's certainly possible Affleck is trying to maintain the secrecy surrounding his possible involvement with the DCU. However, taking his comments at face value, it's impossible to come to any other conclusion than him not being a fan of the direction Gunn is taking this shared world in as it moves on from the DCEU era.
Needless to say, we anticipate DC Studios' detractors taking great delight in these remarks from the former Batman...