Ben Affleck to Direct New Justice League Movie?

So there’s been some very tenuous rumors that Ben Affleck is in talks to direct a film adaptation of DC Comics super team the “Justice League”. To be fair, there have been just as many articles that say he’s not directing, but this is an interesting development.

Now if you had told me 10 years ago that Affleck was going to direct this film, I’d be shaking my fist at the ceiling and screaming “Affleck” ala William Shatner  screaming “Khan”! He’s been in some truly repellant films, and has been rather lightweight in his performances.

But things have changed. Affleck has quit appearing in crappy films (for the moment at least) and has pleasantly surprised filmgoers with his directorial skills in the thrillers “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Town”. But would he be well equipped for a Justice League adaptation? After all he was in the very lame “Daredevil”. But he has admitted he hated the end result, so hopefully he’d take great pains in trying not to replicate that disaster.

But would they also want him to act in the film as well? And as who? He’s already played Superman (well the original Superman actor George Reeves that is,  in the biopic “Hollywoodland”), and Henry Caville is the new Man Of Steel. Would he be eyeing playing Batman now that Christian Bale has retired from the role? I hope not. I just don’t see him in that role effectively.

If he doesn’t accept, then I’m curious to see who else is on the shortlist. Warner Brothers is chomping at the bit to get this out so they can try to steal “The Avengers” thunder, and I don’t blame them. But they have a lot of retrofitting to get this thing in gear. There’s lots of puzzle pieces involved, which is why Marvel took several years before attempting the film by starting different tentpole films beforehand.

They’d have to reboot (hate that term for films!) Batman so that his world could allow for more fantastical elements, given he’s one of the main team members. If fellow member Superman had showed up in one of Nolan’s Bat-films it would’ve been too jarring.

Also, they’d have to figure out the “Green Lantern” misfire (check out my list of worst comic book movies, as well as the best). No one will be lining up for “Green Lantern 2” unless the entire character and storyline’s revamped to make people not roll their eyes. But he’s a key character in the supergroup.

And the next Superman film (“Man Of Steel”) will also have to deliver at the Box Office. Another so-so performance ala “Superman Returns” will cast a pall on the project.

But if they can pull it off, I’m there. I’d love to see personal favorites like Green Arrow, Hawkman and Martian Manhunter on the big screen.

So, would Affleck’s involvement make you expect cinematic kryptonite, or has your view changed after seeing his directorial efforts? Sound off below….

**And here’s some Amazon links for some great Justice League animated films and comics to tide you over. And the awesome painting up top is drawn by the amazing Artist Alex Ross, and I have some of his work below as well.

[amazon_image id=”B003L7DK88″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Justice League: The Complete Series[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B000LE17A2″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Justice League Unlimited: Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection)[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B000PFSYO4″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Justice League – The New Frontier (Two-Disc Special Edition)[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B007EMP94Y” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]DCU Justice League: Doom[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”1401211038″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Justice, Vol. 1[/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”1401235263″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Justice[/amazon_image]

**And for those who haven’t checked out Affleck’s directorial efforts, give them a shot. He’s far better at directing than acting IMHO.

[amazon_image id=”B00111L0MY” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Gone Baby Gone [Blu-ray][/amazon_image][amazon_image id=”B002ZG99NG” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]The Town (Two-Disc Extended Cut) [Blu-ray][/amazon_image]