News

'I'm not Batman': Ben Affleck confirms he is done playing the Caped Crusader on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

ben jimmy
Ben Affleck on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" ABC
Read in app

Ben Affleck is officially done playing Batman. 

During an appearance Thursday night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to promote his upcoming Netflix movie, "Triple Frontier," the actor confirmed he was done playing Gotham's vigilante. Deadline recently reported Affleck would retire from the role after appearances in "Batman v. Superman" and "Justice League." Affleck was also set to direct a standalone Batman movie, in which he was expected to star.

"I tried to direct a version of it and, worked with a really good screenwriter, but just couldn't come up with a version of — I couldn't crack it," Affleck told Kimmel of the Batman movie he was working on. "So, I thought it was time to let someone else take a shot at. They've got some really good people."

ben affleck im not batman
Affleck humorously tells the camera he's not Batman anymore.  ABC

That someone else is Matt Reeves ("War for the Planet of the Apes") who will be directing the next standalone Batman movie. No one has been named as the next Caped Crusader, yet, though there are a lot of actors people would like to see in the role.

Read more: 11 actors who could play Batman

Previously, Affleck took to Twitter to wish Reeves good luck on the next Batman film. He didn't comment on leaving the role.

In honor of his departure as the Dark Knight, Kimmel held a brief retirement ceremony for his friend where they hung up Batfleck's cape and cowl. 

"Warner Bros. has given us something," said the host. "We're going to officially retire your Bat cape to the rafters."

"That is your official cowl and cape," said Kimmel as his sidekick Guillermo brought it out on stage dressed as Robin.

ben affleck batman jimmy kimmel
Guillermo brings out Ben Affleck's cape and cowl.  ABC

When Kimmel asked if Affleck had an official statement to give on departing the role, the actor kept it short and simple saying, "I guess, I'm not Batman."

Reeves' "The Batman," is currently set for a June 25, 2021 release.

You can watch Affleck's appearance on Kimmel below bidding farewell to the Dark Knight.

Read the original article on INSIDER.

Follow INSIDER on Facebook.

Follow INSIDER on Twitter.

Read next

Kirsten Acuna was a correspondent on Business Insider's Entertainment team covering TV, movies, and theme parks. She is Businness Insider's resident expert on all things "The Walking Dead." YKirsten covers superheroes and all things Disney (Marvel, Pixar, and live-action remakes). She is a verified film critic on Rotten TomatoesKirsten has previously written for TV Guide and Time Out New York Kids. She joined Business Insider's entertainment team in 2012 as a reporter, helping to build the team from two people. She holds a degree in magazine journalism and minors in both English and child family studies from Syracuse University.Follow her on Twitter @KirstenAcuna.