Ben Affleck explains his Batman exit: 'I couldn't crack it'

The rumors are true. Amid all the changes happening right now to the DC cinematic universe — a course correction, if you will, from the early Batman v Superman days — Ben Affleck has decided to hang up his cape and cowl to end his reign as the Dark Knight.

Briefly explaining to Jimmy Kimmel why he's stepping down, the actor, 46, said, "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. They got some really good people so I'm excited."

That version he tried to direct was The Batman, initially planned as Batfleck's solo cinematic outing after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. In 2017, he stepped down as director and was eventually replaced by War for the Planet of the Apes' Matt Reeves. And despite earlier statements about playing the role for as long as Warner Bros. would have him in it, Affleck seemingly confirmed his departure on social media as the studio planted a firm flag for when The Batman will hit theaters, on June 25, 2021.

It's definitely official now.

According to Deadline Hollywood, The Batman will focus on a younger Bruce Wayne, whereas Affleck's incarnation was much older, more experienced, and more cynical.

Kimmel helped Affleck retire his cape in a goofy ceremony on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night, accompanied by his own late-night Boy Wonder, Guillermo, dressed as Robin.

If there's anything left to say on the matter, it's a spoof on Christian Bale's most meme-able line from the Dark Knight trilogy: "I'm not Batman."

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