People were excited when the first news of a new DC film starring Superman and Batman–a continuation of Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” universe–would be in the works. What was up in the air, though, was just who would play Batman–if you recall, Christian Bale said he would be donning the cowl no more after the last of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, “The Dark Knight Rises.”
So, after weeks of wondering who the next Batman would be, we finally have our answer, and it’s someone no one even suspected was in the running (at least, I didn’t suspect it). Ben Affleck. Yes, you read that right. Ben Affleck is the new Batman.
The news broke late Thursday night and now that the dawn has broken, every Batman fan is now asking themselves how they feel about the new Bruce Wayne. If you ask me what my personal opinions are, I’m very bewildered. I mean, to me, the only Batman I’m comfortable with (aside from Kevin Conroy’s animated Batman) is Bale’s Batman, even if he has a gravelly voice.
Other fans are taking even stronger action, including creating a “We the People” petition to bar Affleck from playing Batman. The petition has now been removed from the the White House Petitions page (the President has much more important things to worry about than who’s playing a superhero).
Some of the few people who do have a positive opinion about Affleck as Batman include the people who signed off on the deal–Snyder, Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
“We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some,” said Silverman in a statement. “His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”
“Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman,” said Snyder. “He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”
“We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman,” said Kroll. “He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”
The one positive thing I’ll say is that a lot of folks thought Heath Ledger was going to ruin the Joker, and he ended up being the best Joker ever apart from Mark Hamill’s animated Joker. We’ll just see what happens, I guess. The untitled Superman and Batman film will be in theaters July 17, 2015.
