The Batman star Ben Affleck hasn’t had the best 2019. Despite landing what he considered a dream role in the Caped Crusader, he’s had to contend with constant rumors that Warner Bros. are going to recast the part, intrusive paparazzi documenting the groceries being delivered to his home, his alcohol addiction worsening, his ex-wife Jennifer Garner staging an intervention and finally, an extended treatment for addiction.
Now, he’s released a statement on how he’s doing, and you can see what he has to say below:
This week I completed a forty day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care.
The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It’s given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others.
Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family. So many people have reached out on social media and spoken about their own journeys with addiction. To those people, I want to say thank you. Your strength is inspiring and is supporting me in ways I didn’t think was possible. It helps to know I am not alone. As I’ve had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure.
With acceptance and humility, I continue to avail myself with the help of so many people and I am grateful to all those who are there for me. I hope down the road I can offer an example to others who are struggling.
Pretty uplifting stuff. It comes at the end of a week in which his hopes of reprising the role as Batman bounced back, too, after multiple rumors said that he was done with the part. While we’ve seen pictures of Affleck looking as if he’s regaining his physique and we know he’s been meeting with Warner Bros. executives, one thing that might be standing in his way is the rumored high cost of insuring him for any future blockbuster, with the completion bond (money that ensures the film will be completed) skyrocketing after he’s been sent to rehab.
Still, Hollywood loves a comeback story. After all, it wasn’t too long before Iron Man that Robert Downey Jr. was incarcerated in a substance abuse treatment facility and it was assumed his career was permanently over. Now, he’s one of the highest paid actors in the industry and is credited with helping the MCU become what it is today.
Personally, I’ve always liked Ben Affleck’s Dark Knight, and it’d be nice to get a movie focused entirely on his take on the role rather than having to either share the limelight with Superman or the rest of the Justice League. Hopefully that’ll come in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is scheduled to begin shooting next year for a 2020 release.
