Ben Affleck’s future in the new DC Universe is unclear outside of an appearance in The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Affleck confirms that he will not direct any future DC projects during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

James Gunn’s new position as DC Studios’ co-leader alongside Shazam! producer Peter Safran speculated that Ben Affleck could return to direct the upcoming Batman movie Batman: The Brave and the Bold. However, when asked by THR, Affleck responded, “Absolutely not.” Despite this blunt answer, Affleck clarifies that his refusal is born more out of creative differences than legitimate malice. “Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job,” he says. “I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that. I’m not interested in that.”

This confirmation comes three months after Gunn revealed in a Tweet that he and Affleck were talking about the latter possibly directing as long as they have the right project. However, a mix of Affleck’s misery in Justice League, the aforementioned creative differences, and his new production company Artists Equity bar any possibility of Affleck returning to the cape and cowl.

“I don’t condescend to that or put it down, but I got to a point where I found it creatively not satisfying,” Affleck explains. “I don’t want to participate in this in any way. And I don’t want to squander any more of my life, of which I have a limited amount.”