2013 Movie News Archives

August 23, 2013: My Thoughts on Ben Affleck as Batman

Ben Affleck Can people please get over the fact that Ben Affleck once played Daredevil?!

Seriously, that was 10 years ago! He's done a heck of a lot since then, including winning an Academy Award. If you don't think he's a good actor, go check out "The Town" and "Argo".

Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, let me say this. Honestly, I don't really care who they cast as Batman, I still don't want him in a Superman movie. But it's happening, so I guess I just have to get over it and move on.

I like Affleck. If Batman has to be in this movie than I think he's a good choice to play the role, except for one thing... His age. Is Batman supposed to be older than Superman? I didn't think so.

Director Zack Snyder says, "Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry's Superman. 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."

So I guess Batman is older than Superman in this version of the DC Universe. Older I can live with. Wiser, not so much. Please don't make Superman the brawn to Batman's brains. Superman isn't dumb or stupid. Granted Snyder might mean "wiser" as in "more experienced", but even that doesn't sit well with me, because Superman is supposed to be the first.

Now perhaps Batman is just an urban myth in Gotham at the start of the movie. Maybe he's not known as a superhero or his existence hasn't been widely publicized. That could work. But that doesn't fit in with Snyder calling him a "seasoned crime fighter". That would indicate that he's been around as Batman for quite a few years before Superman came along.

So, let's say we resign ourselves to Superman not being the first superhero in this reality. What does an "older and wiser" Batman mean for Superman? By definition we can automatically work out therefore that Superman is obviously younger, less experienced, and not as wise as Batman. Well I guess we have to give the old boy some advantages. I mean he can't fly, doesn't have super speed, x-ray vision, heat vision, invulnerability, super strength or any other super powers. I guess we can let him be older and wiser.

They also announced the official release date of July 17, 2015. But they've yet to reveal what the movie will be called.

However I did note one interesting thing about the official press release. They didn't call it a "sequel". They called it a continuation of the universe established in "Man of Steel".

Also, for those doubting the success of "Man of Steel" in the eyes of Warner Bros. It's right there in the press release. They're proudly touting the film's success: "Snyder successfully re-imagined the origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the worldwide blockbuster "Man of Steel," which has earned more than $650 million worldwide to date, and climbing." You don't go telling people how much a movie made if you're not happy with said takings. But continue to think what you want.

Either way, Superman and Batman are coming together to star in the same movie together. They'll be portrayed by Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck respectively. The movie will be released on July 17, 2015. And we'll all be in the cinema watching it.

Steve Younis



2013 Movie News

Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2013 organized into various categories:

“Man of Steel” Movie News:

“Superman/Batman” Movie News: “Justice League” Movie News: “Superman: Unbound” Animated Movie News: “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox” Animated Movie News: “Justice League: War” Animated Movie News: Christopher Reeve Movie News: Other Movie News:

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