By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Ben Affleck is no longer directing the Batman standalone movie for Warner Bros.
In a statement Monday, Affleck said it "has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require" and that he and the studio are looking for a new director.
"There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions," Affleck said in the statement. "Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give."
Affleck made his debut as the superhero for the studio last summer in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," and he had been attached to write and direct the Batman standalone movie for about a year. He attended Comic-Con this summer with his fellow DC Universe directors, like "Wonder Woman's" Patty Jenkins, "Justice League's" Zack Snyder, and Rick Famuyiwa, who this past fall also stepped away from directing "The Flash."
The studio in a statement said that it "fully supports" his decision and "remains committed to working with him to bring a standalone Batman picture to life."
Warner Bros. and Affleck have had a longstanding relationship. This past fall alone, Affleck made a cameo as Batman/Bruce Wayne in "Suicide Squad," starred in "The Accountant," and wrote, directed and starred in the period drama "Live by Night."
Speaking to The Associated Press in December , Affleck said he was taking his time with the script for Batman, which he called an "exhilarating" challenge, "like jumping out of an airplane."
Warner Bros. has had a rocky start kicking off its expanded universe of DC Comics films. Both "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad" were savaged by critics, but they still managed to be decently profitable.
Affleck will appear next as Batman in "Justice League," which comes out on Nov. 17. The Batman standalone doesn't yet have an official title or release date, but it was tentatively pegged for 2018.
"I am still in this, and we are making it," Affleck's statement continued. "I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world."
Civil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs
A broad group of civil rights organizations called on the CEOs and board members of major companies Thursday to maintain their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that have come under attack online and in lawsuits.
An open letter signed by 19 organizations and directed at the leaders of Fortune 1000 companies said companies that abandon their DEI programs are shirking their fiduciary responsibility to employees, consumers and shareholders.
The civil rights groups included the NAACP, the National Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
"Diversity, equity and inclusion programs, policies, and practices make business-sense and they're broadly popular among the public, consumers, and employees," their statement read. "But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists is attempting to pressure companies into abandoning their DEI programs."
Companies such as Ford, Lowes, John Deere, Molson Coors and Harley-Davidson recently announced they would pull back on their diversity, equity and inclusion policies after facing pressure from conservative activists who were emboldened by recent victories in the courtroom.
Many major corporations have been examining their diversity programs in the wake of a Supreme Court decision last year that declared race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions unconstitutional. Dozens of cases have been filed making similar arguments about employers. Critics of DEI programs say the initiatives provide benefits to people of one race or sexual orientation while excluding others.
In their letter, the civil rights organizations, which also included... Read More