Why Did Ben Affleck Stop Playing Batman? He Says He Couldn't "Crack It"

I've gotta be honest: Ben Affleck seems remarkably chill about the fact he's no longer going to be playing Batman in the DC film franchise.

Despite appearing as the caped crusader in three recent movies — Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Justice League — Affleck is hanging up his batsuit to make way for a younger version of the character, who will take over the mantle in 2021's The Batman. Rather than making his retirement from the character a big to-do, Affleck retweeted the news of his departure in January, adding, "Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life."

He continued his streak of taking it all in stride while sitting down with Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday to promote his next film, Triple Frontier. Naturally, the discussion led to Batman, and the 46-year-old star had a fairly simple explanation as for why he's stepping away.

"I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter but just couldn't come up with a version — I couldn't crack it and so I thought it's time for someone else to take a shot at it," he said. "They got some really good people so I'm excited."

Watch him explain above, and keep your eyes peeled for a cameo from Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s Guillermo Rodriguez dressed up in an old-school Robin uniform as they retire Affleck's cape.