Ben Affleck is officially cast as Batman in the upcoming sequel to Man of Steel, presumably named "Batman Vs. Superman." Well, this is surprising news, maybe he will end up directing Justice League movie after all, but more on that later. While many Nolanites and Batman fans are outraged, I am not entirely sure what to think. My reaction was almost literally what Captain Reynolds thought when he saw River in the first episode (video below). From what everyone has said, Ben Affleck has become a good actor and an excellent director since the disappointing Daredevil film. Yes, Ben Affleck has already played a comic book character, a Marvel one to be specific, and what I find funny is how Daredevil is the closest thing to Batman in the Marvel universe, except Daredevil is a much darker character in the comics and one of the best. About the Daredevil film, it was not very good; it basically got just about everything wrong with the character, however the movie itself is arguably average, and the director's cut is said to be a lot better. Also Disney-Marvel actually owns the rights to Daredevil now after Fox lost them. Back to Affleck as Batman, I am mostly indifferent about the choice. I have yet to see any of the movies he has directed, although I plan to watch some of them at some point. It was rumored a while back that Affleck might direct the Justice League movie, and considering that he often acts in the films that he directs that is not an entirely outlandish idea. While Zack Sndyer is the most likely candidate at this point, Affleck might be a better pick considering he directed the Oscar winning Argo, although his action direction is still in question. So, what do you think of this casting choice? Please comment below.
My initial reaction.
 |
| Affleck playing both Batman and Daredevil: let the memes and jokes begin! |
If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.
So far my only view is this: as an actor, Ben Affleck is a great director. More thoughts to come...
ReplyDeleteIt will be most intriguing to see how this all pans out.
Delete-James
I've only seen him in Argo, so I don't know much about his acting abilities(though he was pretty good in that one). I have decided to wait and see the film before I come up with an opinion on him in the role(pretty much how you're indifferent to the matter).
ReplyDeleteI need to watch sometime, it seems that most people like it. :)
Delete-James
I for one think it is a fantastic decision. Keep in mind that there was similar outrage for Heath Ledger as the Joker and Daniel Craig as the new Bond (and I think we all know how those turned out).
ReplyDeletePeople are far too quick to remember Gigli and Daredevil (which honestly wasn't even THAT bad). People seem to forget Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and Argo all of which Ben has directed AND starred in. The dude is super talented and I think that he could even lend his directing abilities (which he has been nominated for) to Snyder to make it a collaborative effort.
I really don't understand why everyone is up in arms. I think he is probably one of the best choices that was out there.
Ben was not in Gone Baby Gone, his brother Casey was the star.
DeleteAs for how Ledger and Craig turned out, I think they turned out pretty bad. I am in the minority of thinking they were not as good as others insist they are.
@Jordan: Very true about Ledger and Craig, that is why I am not outraged about the decision.
DeleteI agree, Daredevil wasn't all that bad, it was just OK, and I haven't seen Gigli or any of his good movies for that matter.
I believe you are right about Affleck's directing ability being able to help Sndyer. My only slight concern is they might have some creative differences since Affleck has been the man in charge of his last couple of projects.
Among the choices that where presented, it could have been so much worse.
-James
@Rick: You are correct about "Gone Baby Gone," even though I haven't seen it, I do know that Ben wasn't the star.
DeleteWhile I do believe Ledger was very good, he was overrated, Hamill might be the best Joker in my opinion.
-James
Haha, good first reaction. Mine was a disbelieving "what? Noooooo...." My opinion is pretty ho-hum about this too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm glad you enjoyed my attempt at humor. Yeah, there is just not a lot to be said about the casting choice, I am just not sure what to think about it.
Delete-James
I have to admit, I've only seen Affleck in a handful of things, and nothing that he's done in the last 10 years. I actually enjoyed his turn as Jack Ryan in The Sum of All Fears, though he was eclipsed by both Liev Schreiber and Morgan Freeman -- but who wouldn't be? So I'm okay with this, honestly. He's going to be very different than Bale, and I'd rather see them do that than try to copy Bale somehow, which would be lame.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen him as Jack Ryan, but Harrison Ford and Baldwin where great in the role. I agree, somewhat trying to copy Bale would be a terrible choice, we need someone entirely different than Bale.
Delete-James
Isn't this supposed to be Batman coming out of retirement or something? Without knowing anything, he sounds more Bruce Wayneish than Batmanish, which could work if he stays out of the suit until the climax. I suspect it would have been stranger if a guy like Russel Crowe was put forward.
ReplyDeleteFrom the excerpt from "The Dark Knight Returns" graphic novel that was used to introduce the movie, Bruce coming out of retirement is very likely. But I agree with you, Affleck is a lot more like Wayne than Batman.
DeleteIt would be crazy if Crowe was cast since he already played Superman's father, but I know what you mean.
-James
Well, since I'm not really interested in this, I really don't care except that I'm going to miss seeing Christian Bale as Batman. :)
ReplyDelete~Jamie
I am a little surprised that you are not interested in it the movies at all, but I can understand why. :)
Delete-James
I'm sorry but... we're doomed. :(
ReplyDeleteIt could have been worse. :)
Delete-James
I'm not really sure what to think. I'm a Ben Affleck fan... So I have hope, but I think it's a HUGE mistake to have a new batman so soon. I realize he will be different than Bale..... But still... It's way too soon.
ReplyDeleteMy reaction was slightly more...ragey. I don't want to judge, and he could be a great new Batman/Bruce Wayne...but that's just it though! It's way too soon and Bale was just here as him last summer! Maybe MoS 3 would have been more credible for a new Batman to make his appearance...but I'll be eating my words again come 2015 anyways. My opinion: cautiously neutral. xD
ReplyDelete