UPDATED: Ben Affleck To Possibly Co – Star And Direct A Justice League Movie?!

Variety reporting that Warner Brothers is considering Ben Affleck to helm the Justice League movie. Here’s an excerpt:

Since guiding WB’s “The Town” to commercial success and critical acclaim from both sides of the camera, Affleck has ascended high on the studio’s list of filmmakers who can be trusted with prime properties. Thus far, Affleck is the only candidate who’s been sent Will Beall’s “Justice League” script, which the “Gangster Squad” scribe was hired to write last summer.

DC Comics’ answer to Marvel’s Avengers, “Justice League” is expected to bring together marquee characters Batman and Superman, as well as Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash. Affleck has made it clear that going forward, he’s only interested in directing films in which he also stars — “The Town” and “Argo” are proof of that — so its likely that if this pairing ever came to fruition, he would likely don a suit of his own. DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Affleck’s reps declined to comment.

Affleck has proven himself to be a very fine director and, as an actor, he’s no stranger to superheroes and comic books (Chasing Amy, Daredevil, Hollywoodland).

UPDATE: According to Deadline, Affleck’s reps say the actor/director has no plans to be involved with Justice League:
“This is a story I checked out days ago, and didn’t run when Affleck’s reps stated that it was not going to happen with him.”
However, Warner Brother’s offer is definitely on the table and David Yates is also being mentioned as another top contender to direct The World’s Greatest Superheroes movie. My guess is that we haven’t heard the last of either Affleck’s or Yates’ possible involvement. The good news is that this, at least, means Warner Brothers is very serious about finally getting a move on the Justice League.

The “plan” is to have a Justice League movie in theaters in 2016.