Affleck is Batman

[hedrap]

You can't compare this to Keaton.

Keaton had the element of surprise with him. He hadn't made an action film before Batman and had just released his first heavy role, Clean and Sober, in 88, which nobody saw.

We all know what Affleck's capable of in action movies, superhero roles and even guys like Bruce Wayne. The only way he can bring something different is if they drastically change Batman. Snyder and Affleck. Remaking Batman. How much confidence does that instill?

The best analogy I can come up with is when the DanJaq lost Connery, they had to choose between an known or unknown replacement. Moore was up for the role, but they went with Lazenby because that was the same process that lead them to Connery. Except this time, it forced them back to Connery to save the franchise. Then, they grabbed Moore who was already established as a spy thanks to The Saint.

That's the same deal here. WB could have gone with a lesser-known and hope to strike gold, twice. But they're scared, so they went with the safest in-house pick they had. In their eyes, it was a minimum risk choice and no matter what the backlash is, the first Superman/Batman teamup will force all the naysayers to still go.

It's possible, but they should be very concerned with trying to work the fanboys. Once they get the SDCC lemmings on board, odds are it will implode because they're willfully ignorant.

[MegoSteve]

I feel awesome that I have absolutely no opinion about this.

This is pretty much how I feel, except I'm kind of bummed about it. The reason I have no opinion is that I'm so completely alienated from current DC comics and movies that I don't really care what they do any more. I mean, I liked Man of Steel when I saw it, but the more time passes, the more I realize that my favorite treatments of DC superheroes are probably never coming back.

[megoscott]

I predict after 2 years of unending hype and anguished analysis of costume design the movie will make a billion dollars and then we'll all be totally indifferent 4 weeks after it comes out.

[kingdom warrior]

Wait, check the calendar...is it April 1st?



That rhymes so well it could become the mantra for the next film.

LOL!!!

[madmarva]

I don't know how Affleck will do as Batman in this film. A lot will have to do with how Snyder and Goyer construct the story and script.

All the reports about Dark Night Returns has me a bit leery, too.

But the prospect of Affleck directing a solo Batman film after this is enticing. He's a solid director, an Eastwood type, who understands who to make a good "Hollywood" movie. His films have some grit, which I'd like to see more in Batman. more focus on his detective skills and much less on the gadgets.

Affleck is a comics fan, which could help, but I'm afraid The WB's idea of what A Batman movie should be isn't ever going to match my personal view.

So I'll likely watch whatever they make and try to enjoy it for what it is and probably still gripe and moan about what it's not.

[MIB41]

We might as well have fun in the midst of the outcry...

[enyawd72]

I may not think he's a good choice, but people are going way too overboard:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...fleck/Mwcw96fC

SERIOUSLY?! Petitioning the White House?!! "Mr. President, we have a serious problem...Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman. Heaven help this great nation...ordinarily we'd call Batman. Isn't that ironic?"

[knight errant00]

I may not think he's a good choice, but people are going way too overboard:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/request-warner-brothers-zack-snyder-recast-role-batmanbruce-wayne-and-denounce-selection-ben-affleck/Mwcw96fC

[enyawd72]

If you've seen him lately you'll know he's been working out very hard for the role...

[johnmiic]

Wait, check the calendar...is it April 1st?

It's Puke for me......BUT I'll wait and see......

That rhymes so well it could become the mantra for the next film.

[Access]

I just don't know how you can reconcile a movie containing both superman and Batman! Seriously, in Dark knight rises, superman couldve just swooped down and killed Bane in two seconds.....Movie over. A couple of cool helicopters, cars, etc is no match for an indestructible alien in Superman. The Kryptonite angle, the lead acting as a sight shield, and the synthetic kryptonite used by Richard Pryor to basically make Superman into a creepy drunk uncle character can't all play.

I think its a dumb choice to bring these two stories together. And as far as the Affleck choice, meh. He does a lousy job at the internal conflict that *defines* Batman. Argo got all sorts of accolades, but I felt his performance was wooden at best.

[palitoy]

I'm the guy who liked the Daredevil movie. Dude isn't my first choice but he's a good actor who has the right build.

I'm more worried that the script will drink to much from the Frank Miller well. The water is hacky in there.

[MIB41]

Ben Affleck meet Michael Keaton. The petitions have already started...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/08/23/ben-affleck-as-batman-thousands-sign-petition-to-remove-him/

[knight errant00]

Wrong guy. It's just the studios trying to hedge their bet on the big budget they intend to spend on this with a "star" to "guarantee" a certain level of box office. WAAYYY too many other actors who could bring something interesting to it and not be "the latest guy in the batsuit".

[MIB41]

I want to have an opinion.... it IS Batman after all. But I'm finding myself a bit numb over this as well. I think one of the reasons is that I don't understand why so many people were not happy with Daredevil and Ben's performance to begin with. But, i'm an odd duck TOO in that I've never really thought a live-action superhero movie has ever been all that great,,, except maybe Unbreakable, but that wasn't DC or Marvel.

If I was reaching to give a reaction, I'd say Affleck seems like an okay choice. Glad he's doing it now instead of when he was "cuter".... I'd like Batman to be a bit more menacing than Superman.

I liked Affleck as Daredevil. Especially in the director's cut. A much improved story. I just would have preferred a more neutral choice for the Batman role. Ultimately the story has to be there. Without that, casting will not get it done. But Affleck, to me, is not a good spin after Bale's contribution. It's a little too...Hollywood. It looks like a buddy pick, rather than an artistic pick. That's how I felt about Clooney. And while he was fine as Wayne, he couldn't do anything as Batman. His face bled through. It was impossible for you NOT to know who was under that mask. I also measure the pick based on the dynamic I expect to see between Batman and Superman. Batman being snarky with Superman will not sell me on this. I'm seeing humor where there should be more intensity. So...RIGHT NOW... I don't see that pick being a good fit for the role. But we'll see as it unfolds.