Did Ben Affleck Turn Down Directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

Ben Affleck has built quite a resume over the last few years, becoming known as much for his [...]

Batman Star Wars Affleck

Ben Affleck has built quite a resume over the last few years, becoming known as much for his directorial acumen as his acting roles.

Affleck is knee deep in Warner Bros. DC Cinematic Universe, starring in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice as the Dark Knight (which he received high praise for) as well as acting as Executive Producer on the upcoming Zack Snyder-directed Justice League. All of that is a prelude to his Batman solo film, which he will direct, with the story being handled by both him and DC mastermind, Geoff Johns.

Still, it seems at one point he had an opportunity to play in a different sandbox, that of Disney's Star Wars. In a sitdown with Bill Simmons on his new HBO show Any Given Wednesday, the question is asked if he indeed turned down the director's chair for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. While he didn't answer it directly, it sure seems like there is some truth there.

'Well I wouldn't be able to say, It wouldn't be polite to talk about the jobs you turned down, but I did have a lot of, um, I had a lot of offers.

Simmons remarked that it's a nice problem to have.

"It is. it's also sort of you know forks in the road that are like legitimate different paths you know. You think my life's going to be really different if I go down this way or if I do Batman, or if I do this other iconic thing"

The picture was ultimately helmed by celebrated talent J.J. Abrams, and it's interesting to think of just how different Episode VII might have been with Affleck at the helm.

0comments