Before Robert Pattinson took on the role of Gotham’s vigilante in The Batman, Ben Affleck was developing his own Batman film that promised a much darker and more psychological approach within the DCEU. The project was conceived as a noir thriller focused on intense detective work, diverging sharply from traditional superhero action. Closely tied to Joe Manganiello’s portrayal of Deathstroke, this film was designed as a tightly woven story driven by psychological tension rather than physical combat.
A Psychological Thriller Inspired by David Fincher’s The Game
Affleck’s Batman noir drew its inspiration from David Fincher’s film The Game, aiming to create a chilling narrative where Deathstroke disrupts Bruce Wayne’s life methodically. Affleck was set to direct, write, and star in the film, presenting a Batman storyline centered on mental and emotional battles instead of typical fight sequences. Despite the project never advancing to filming, available details reveal a vision focused on dismantling Bruce Wayne’s inner world through a relentless and strategic antagonist.
Character-Driven Storytelling with Deathstroke as the Silent Predator
Following his Justice League appearance, Affleck was committed to exploring a character-driven tale with no distractions from blockbuster set pieces. He planned to depict Batman in a grounded, noir style where the villain, Deathstroke, played by Joe Manganiello, operated more like a chilling predator than a conventional enemy. Manganiello described the tone in 2020 to Yahoo Entertainment, saying,
“There were similarities to The Game. It was a really dark story in which Deathstroke was like a shark or a horror movie villain that was dismantling Bruce’s life from the inside out. It was this systemic thing: He killed everyone close to Bruce and destroyed his life to try and make him suffer because he felt that Bruce was responsible for something that happened to him.” —Joe Manganiello, Actor
This depiction turned Deathstroke into a strategic and patient force, preferring to strike with manipulation and terror rather than brute force.
Exploring the Breakdown of Bruce Wayne’s Emotional World
Instead of dealing with external superhuman adversaries, Affleck’s script honed in on Bruce Wayne’s psychological unraveling. Slade Wilson, as Deathstroke, targeted Bruce’s relationships and stability, undermining him emotionally and socially. This approach echoed the psychological uncertainty of Fincher’s The Game, emphasizing confusion about reality and trust.
Project Praise from Collaborators and Eventual Abandonment
Storyboard artist Jay Oliva, who was closely involved in the film’s creative development, spoke highly of the project, highlighting its ambitious and untapped narrative potential. He shared with Inverse,
“It was the best. It was amazing. It was tying together a lot of really cool Batman storylines that had never been really explored.” —Jay Oliva, Storyboard Artist
However, despite the strong creative foundation, Ben Affleck eventually stepped down from directing and ultimately left the project entirely. His exit coincided with several issues surrounding Justice League’s production, which led the studio to pursue a fresh reboot under Matt Reeves rather than continue with Affleck’s interpretation of Batman.
The Legacy and Future of Batman in Film
Although Ben Affleck’s canceled Batman noir never reached audiences, its influence remains a fascinating chapter in the character’s cinematic evolution. The focus on psychological depth and grounded storytelling could have marked a significant tonal shift for Warner Bros’ superhero lineup. With the reboot now established and Robert Pattinson portraying Batman, Affleck’s vision serves as a reminder of the diverse creative directions possible for Gotham’s protector. Fans and observers continue to speculate on how this dark, psychological take might have reshaped the Batman mythos in film.
