We’ve been hearing rumors for weeks about casting for the new Batman: Man of Steel sequel. It’s a Warner Brothers Batman vs. Superman film featuring current Superman star Henry Cavill and directed by Zack Snyder. The list of contenders for Batman was long and included Gerard Butler, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Joe Manganiello, Jude Law and Jon Hamm. Ben Affleck’s name was floating around somewhere, but I honestly thought that he didn’t have a chance. After all, didn’t he already do a superhero movie that wasn’t well received? It turns out that it doesn’t matter because Affleck has been announced as the new Batman. I doubt he can fill Christian Bale’s shoes, but I guess we’ll see. Here’s the announcement from Variety:
The actor will replace Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne in the upcoming untitled Batman-Superman feature for Warner Bros., the studio announced Thursday.
Affleck becomes the eighth actor to play the Caped Crusader, following Bale, George Clooney and Michael Keaton.
“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,” WB president Greg Silverman said in a statement.
Directed by “Man of Steel” filmmaker Zack Snyder, the Batman-Superman feature will open worldwide on July 17, 2015, with Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Diane Lane reprising their roles.
“Man of Steel,” released this past June, has earned over $650 million at the global box office.
“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,” Snyder said in a statement. “I can’t wait to work with him.”
Variety goes on to say that “at one point Warner Bros. was interested in having Affleck direct the ‘Justice League’ movie and his participation in this film will now spur interest if whether his casting means a possibility of directing that film.” However, Affleck denied the rumors that he had been approached to direct the Justice League movie. Maybe he was playing coy.
I don’t know anyone who finds Affleck to be an “extraordinary actor” with “acting chops,” but perhaps there’s that perception of him in the industry. The Town and Argo were excellent, but that was down to Affleck’s directorial skill, not his acting at all. He’s definitely decent at “stoic” and “broody,” so maybe he’ll do the role some justice. Or maybe he’ll be a one-off like Clooney.
I’m confused by Affleck’s career trajectory, however. Wasn’t he aiming for an actor/director career? He just won the Oscar for best picture and now he’s going back to being an action hero. That already turned out poorly for him.
Here’s a very amusing image of a potential Robin, thanks to Schultzybaby on reddit.
photo credit: WENN.com
OMG. Ben Affleck starring opposite Henry Cavil? I will quite literally die.
Of boredom.
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
Perfect comment, as always.
For a guy who’s in a mask most of the time, he has a horrible voice. This whole thing seems like an April Fool’s joke.
+1
I think you meant OMFG. I’ll be snoring too. Mind you, I worship Christian Bale.
This is colour-me-confused-casting.
This is where I get contentious: Christian Bale is overrated.
(Caveat: I do, however, think Reign of Fire is brilliant)
I think we’ve been here before? Christian Bale is allowed anything – even Reign of Fire, you bad Fanty, you – for the rest of his life. Because he was my little baby in Empire of the Sun. Even though I like the book, not the film.
It’s just a Sixer law. On the statute and everything. I can’t be persuaded to repeal.
*gasp* I’m a fellow Bale-head. Looove him.
American Psycho, Machinist, Empire of the Sun, The Fighter.
What the hell T. Fanty? I dont come to your Cumby posts and piss all over your crazed delusions
………………OK, maybe once in awhile. Still though!!
Oh we have? My argument (and I’m not saying that he’s a bad actor – take note of that) is quite simply that he’s intense and gets consistently cast in intense roles. However, this makes him a little bit of a one-trick pony. I think it’s hard to forget you’re watching Christian Bale Act and while I appreciate his craft, I never forget who I’m watching.
If he ever does comedy, I will happily stand corrected. I love versatility and I think that although Bale is excellent at what he does, his range is ultimately limited to a type of role.
Annnnnnnnnd, flame.
Plenty of flame in Reign of Fire…
I get you. Regardless of versatility, I can dislike someone for “acting AT me”. I’m looking at you, Jessica Chastain.
I still give Bale a pass though. Sorry!
You forgot Little Women!
T Fanty
Bale is specifically reknowned for losing himself in roles. Thats his thing. That you could go through a film an conceivably not know that you just saw the guy who was Batman. Truly confused by your posts today.
I think Fanty is saying that Bale is *so* intense, all she sees is the intensity. Not the character. Not even the actor. And that this bleeds into Bale giving her the same impression in everything he’s in. And that everything he’s in requires intensity. Which *is* a kind of typecasting.
I think she has a point, although it doesn’t put me personally off Bale.
Ben asshat is such and amazingly disappointing choice. I worship batman and I bet he’s no better than Kilmer. Nolan killed it with Bale, burton w/ Keaton will always be slightly more favorable but Ben affleck??? He’s a man child. I wonder how jealous his good buddy Kevin smith is about this.
@Missy,
Pretty much what Sixer said. My personal opinion is that because Bale has this rep, like someone such as DDL, it’s assumed that because he’s SO method, it’s automatically brilliant. It is good, but I always know I’m watching Bale turn in a performance. Maybe it’s role selection, but I still see Bale. Put DDL’s turn in Room with a View up to scrutiny. It’s a tiny role, but he manages to be hot, repellant, comic, absurd and heartbreaking all in one go. For me to be convinced on Bale, I would like to see him step outside of the box a little.
I am Team Bale to the grave. Although I am surprised that anyone would question his acting chops, its also reminded me how subjective reviews can be. One womans meat is another womans poison, I guess.
@T. Fanty- How method do you think he got for Newsies? 😉 I agree with you btw. I see Bale as a great dramatic actor, but overall I would love to see some diversity in roles too.
T.fanty you were my first laugh of the day..thanks! I just don’t get dark superhero from Affleck.
I don’t understand this casting at all. And while Affleck is still younger than me, I think he is too old for this part. Unless Batman is somehow semi-retired.
LMAO!!
We can now close this thread 😀
i know, such a lazy castng
and since when is batman so douchey
That’s rich!
+1
and now i can die. what a beautiful comment!
Ha ha, me too!
@Sixer:
Hey! I loved “Reign of Fire”!
The only ‘Batman’ I enjoyed was Bale’s & Katie Holmes’ “Batman Begins”. Affleck is too old for the part, unless they’re doing Grandpa Batman and his hairpiece serves as a Bat Rug.
Being a huge Sci Fi fan, a fun dud like “Reign of Fire” and critically underrated gems like “Doomsday”, “Sunshine”, and “Pandorum”, are so much more entertaining than a bloated special effects laden piece of crap like most all the Super Hero actioneers.
One word:
“Daredevil”
🙁
Exactly. I can’t take him seriously in a super hero role after that horror show.
+1
goshhh what a biiig fail!
Make that two:
“Gigli”
Affleck who always comes across (to me) as if he’s thisclose to drooling. Don’t know how Warners could ever think having him as Batman would be a smart idea.
Woke up to this news today, and it completely ruined it for me.
OH MY GOD! Is this real life? Have they forgotten Daredevil? I can’t believe it, he was unbelievably bad. Thanks Warner for ruining Batman.
Thanks for reminding us of these two masterpieces *shivers*
They should make a special ‘Affleck in Jennifer sandwich’ DVD box with Gigli & Daredevil. His classics collection.
Superficial conclusion: I hate Ben’s jawline in a mask, he looked so weird as daredevil. He doesn’t have Val Kilmer bonestructure, quite the opposite.
That’s a damn good point. You’re 100% right there. I never thought about it, but it’s definitely true.He does NOT have the jawline for a masked hero. They should have hired you to consult on the movie, you could have saved the film from failing before it even started filming.
Even if he had the jawline for it, I still wouldn’t see a movie with him as Batman. I hate Christian Bale too but at least he was a good Batman, it made sense to me. This choice is terrible and doesn’t make any sense.
I really really really hope it’s just some dumb rumor or something. But I have a feeling it’s true…
You know who looked good in a mask.. Karl Urban who played Judge Dredd.. very yummy jawline 🙂
Boooo
Booo is right. I do love my boy Ben but not as a superhero. This just goes to show how desperate WB is to make money. They figure by attaching a big name to this project that it will draw the crowd in. Here’s the thing a lot of the fanboys and girls are already saying that Ben is a horrible choice. There is no way he can achieve what Bale has accomplish with that character. Epic fail on WB’s part.
why don’t they remember Clooney, he was horrible as Batman.
Yeah, I actually like Ben too. This is a step back for him; people were just starting to give him a little respect. Keaton’s my favorite Batman. I really want them to go back in that direction and cast someone like Topher Grace.
This could explain why my bf is staring vacantly at a blank wall while mechanically stabbing his thigh with a folk.
+1!
The Internet’s Freakout has been the Highlight of this situation for me
He’s a shit actor. He’ll never fill Bale’s shoes.
Except Bale was a terrible Bruce Wayne .
Yeah, his voice was single handedly the MOST distracting part of Batman for me.
It was horrific.
Except you’re wrong. His Batman voice was ridiculous, but he was great as Bruce Wayne.
Wait, is today ‘Opposites Day’ or something?
Because if it is, then yes Christian Bale was the worstest batman ever. And augmenting his voice while he is masked (clearly to avoid detection from people he knows and intimidate the baddies) is most def not the bestest ishhh ever.
No he was a wooden Bruce Wayne and a hammy Batman.
I think Bale was a great Batman but I just couldn’t stand his Batman voice. Meanwhile Michael Keaton and Kilmer had a great voice behind the mask.
@V4Real
Michael Keaton is brilliant. Such an underrated actor.
@Max
Relax, Bubulle just forgot to take her pills today. (Just kidding Bubulle)
Seriously Bale was the best batman ever. Keaton was tolerable. Kilmer and Clooney were just crap.
Michael keaton. Best Bruce Wayne ever and such a great actor. He’s hilarious!
Best Bruce Wayne and best Batman: still Michael Keaton, in my opinion.
P.S.: Bale’s “Batman voice” was laughable.
Attaching those horrible duncy looking pictures of Ben to this article reinforces the notion Ben would suck. Look ppl said the same thing about Bale and yes his voice was hella distracting. These same fans lambasted Heath playing the Joker. And I also remember fans not thinking Michael Keaton was a good choice. He was known more for his comedic roles specifically Mr. Mom. Yup I remember that too.
I think Ben will be just fine. Dare Devil was mediocre however so many of these superhero movies tend to be completely formulaic, formulas we like. Frankly the latest Superman was good looking but BORING as hell to watch.
I’d like to add more one: Benecio Del Toro as the Wolfman. Not a superhero role per se but it was a flop. People thought because he looked the part that he’d be good but it was horribly acted, filmed etc. Enough said.
He just cant lose himself in a role which is what a Superhero film needs. Thats why you either cast unknowns or famously chameleon actors like Bale or RDJ. Major Fail.
Let’s repeat for emphasis: “He’s a shit actor.”
OMG cackle scream!!!!!!
This movie is going to be so fu*king terrible!!!!!
My first reaction is “ugh,” but I’ll wait and see. I hated the idea of Heath Ledger as the Joker, but I loved his performance in the end.
Honestly, with the glut of superhero movies out there, I’m wondering if this casting even matters. I’m excited that this is actually happening, but I’m not sure if they’ll be able to re-create the success of the Avengers…
I also love Ledger as a Joker and actually kind of surprise of how well he played the role. Maybe you are right, I should wait and see how Affleck going to play Batman. Problem is….I still got trauma from watching daredevil. Sigh…why can’t they cast a different person? You know, someone with a talent AND without previous history of playing super hero. 😉
+1. Not wild about the choice-I prefer Affleck behind the camera instead of in front of it. That being said, I’ll reserve judgment.
@Rhea-I never saw Daredevil but I totally hear ya on casting a relatively unknown actor. The thing is, it would be hard to go from Bale to someone with less screen presence and acting chops.
Just for entirely personal reasons (personal in the sense that I want to have sex with him), I would love to see Garrett Hedlund as Batman. Or Fassy? Yummy.
Fass looks like he is ready to eat children in his Magneto role. No.
@TOK : I could see your point that casting an unknown actor would be a big gambling for WB, but I’m actually thinking since it would be a combo of Batman and Superman in the movie, an unknown actor with a talent should be fine. Different matter if it’s a movie about Batman only. But that’s my opinion.
Not too crazy with Fassy as Batman but Garrett looks broody enough as Bruce. But they would have to make him look more…hmmm…older for the role?? More weary-with-the world-look?? 😉
Dommy Dearest, your comment made my day: you are so right and wrong! I mean, he DID look ready to eat children as Magneto -wich btw, exactly who Magneto is- BUT that’s why I would love him to be Batman; not only cause he’s a lady’s and a man’s man just like Bruce, but he can totally see the world in the eyes of his revolutionary/rebel character; heroes and villians (real and fictionals)are people who TRULY believes they HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER if it means doing THE RIGHT THING FOR HUMANITY. Martin Luther King Jr and Adolf Hitler where both like this, they didn’t care if everybody else thought they were wrong. Like Batman and Magneto.
Damn, I can’t argue with that. Heath Ledger sounded like a complete miss for the part of the Joker but it turned out to be such a tragically amazing choice… Dammit I was all set to storm around talking trash about Ben Afflict but your logic is flawless… I guess we’ll have to hope for another big pleasant surprise.
Jennifer Garner was hot
well yeah,she is hot, but its her husband thats cast as batman,but i guess ur right she would have been a more interesting choice than Ben
LOL!
Like how u said “was” 🙂
Horrible, horrible, horrible!
Ugh…first “Gone Girl”, now “Batman”…what’s next, Ben Affleck is “Anne of Green Gables”?
Oh thank you for that laugh!
LOL… I like Ben, but that was funny. 🙂
LOLOLOL! Just fucking hilarious!
My reaction exactly. There a so many interesting actors working today, what is so great about Affleck he’s getting cast in EVERYTHING !
Marsden for Gone Girl, Butler for Batman, Down with the Affleck Tyranny!!!!
This is a bad choice. He can’t pull off batman for a variety of reasons. It’ll just be Affleck in a Batman suit on the screen talking in a deeper voice.
I’m with T.fanty. Boredom will set in fast.
Cavill is a total snooze and this news… somebody give Hollywood a compass please. I don’t think I’ll be watching this mess.
I laughed so hard when I heard it. This is going to be fantastically awful. I can’t wait.
This is gonna be epically awful. Only way it could be worse is if they put Lohan as Batgirl. hahahahaha
You are so right!!
I will shriek and go see it just because of that.
And by go see I mean, “Wait for it to come out on RedBox.”
funny & how about JLo for Catwoman?! He says they email each other…maybe they can recreate “Jenny from the Block” or Gigli with a montage of Batman & Catwoman…hmmm..she would be better casting as Catwoman..than BA for Batman, actually, not great, but still.
I didn’t want Batman hijacking the Superman sequel to start with. Man of Steel had flaws. It had way too much action and not enough attention on actual acting. But it had potential. In the rare quiet moments (too rare) you could see the potential with the cast. And now…what? It’s a Batman movie? What about Clark/Lois? Clark/Lex Luthor? This is the foundation of the Superman mythos. It would be one thing if it was Bale. I could accept that bc it’s an established story. But now the Superman mythos is getting hijacked my Affleck?????? Really????? This just makes me annoyed.
Sorry. Geek rant over.
I was trying to put my finger on the problem with MOS and you hit it on point. It was not a bad movie but they fail to focus on the characters and story. The action was too overboard and just overshadowed the story/characters.
HC was great as MOS but BA as Batman is absolutely terrible. He is so boring as H*’LL to me….The studio is F*cking Up already.
Agree. It’s a cheap way to drum up more interest and sales among comic book types who don’t like Superman (raises hand). But even as a non superman fan, I know the character deserves more independent development than what this sequel can offer with the batman distraction.
As someone who likes Superman (though no Superman movies without Christopher Reeve) but is sick to death of Batman, I’m wondering who this movie is for. Superman and Batman are not two great tastes that go great together. Their worlds don’t mesh.
Ben is a bit dull to me
You mean near dead when it come to acting….. His acting is on life support….Absolutely a snooze.
He’s not a good actor and has been in a lot of bad movies. This is one more bad career choice for him. He needs to stick to directing or ensembles where he pretty much plays himself. Daredevil was a dude and now he’s going to take on the iconic Batman role, that’s a very bad decision.
To me, Michael Keaton was the best “Batman” ever.
“Daredevil” was in 2003, and Ben Affleck couldn’t make it work. However, that was 10 years ago! As an actor, Ben Affleck has grown.
I am going to give Ben a chance, and pay the ticket price. If, he does not do a good job, I and many others will be shouting it out to the world!
NO!!!!!
Nien
dim
नाही
niet
não
geen
ei
нет
ノー
Hakuna
קיין
Hahahaha, between your screen name (cannot wait to see him again in that 50th anniversary special!!) and your comment, I love you so much right now.
YES
YES
YES to your brilliant comment 😀
Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!
He wad so good at playing daredevil they wanted to give him another super hero movie? Oh wait. Yeah nevermind.
+1
oh no no no ! Not the right choice at all!
If Bruce Wayne just stopped for a minute and thought about how illogical it is to let a single traumatic event define your entire life the whole Batman story would fall apart. Sorry Bruce you can catch all the crooks you want but it’s not going to bring your parents back.
And LOL at how seriously y’all take this childish franchise.
When’s Russell Brand getting a Super Hero vehicle?
Russell Brand IS a Super Hero.
That photo with Matt Damon is AMAZING! lol
Yeah but Ben’s always been Robin to Matt’s Batman.
I love Ben but I don’t find this to be a good idea. I am just not seeing him in this role.
Why he couldn’t pull off a super hero the first time!! Wish Christian Bale would stay
Worst decision ever. Mark my words, this is going to suck with him as Batman!!!
Noooooooooooooooo, this is like ClooneyMan. BATNIPPLES.
Batnipples, I forgot, thanks for the LOL reminder!
Good choice but there are better actors. I was hoping they’ll chose Viggo Mortensen (yeah, too old to do action scenes but who cares). Ben can be a good Bruce Wayne I don’t know as Batman. However, I said the same thing about Anne Hathaway as Selina/Catwoman but changed my mind when I saw the film. She was great both as Selina and her alter-ego.
Didn’t Ben Affleck play Superman before? I mean as George Reeves.
Ben played George Reeves NOT superman. George Reeves was famous for playing Superman, but that is besides the point of the film. HOLLYWOODLAND is in many ways a biopic and mostly a film noir procedural about George Reeves and his eventual suicide.
His life was ultimately a tragedy. So sad.
The film is really good, and all therein acquit themselves very well. Especially Ben.
I thought Anne sucked as Catwoman. Even though there were rumors that she and Bale had a brief affair while filming they had no on screen chemistry.
I like Viggo! Never thought of him but yeah-I could see him as Batman.
Mr Garner needs to hit the GYM, ASAP..And no,i dont like the choice.IDRIS< WHY NOT THOU?
IDRIS! with the added panty-melting super power..
I don’t see it. They should have picked someone else. He’s a great director, though.
They must be kidding! Although a superhero movie doesn’t require much of acting skill, I just can’t see him as Batman (though there is probably no actor who can fill Bale’s shoes).
Well, have to wait and see.
Well if this was choice #2 now we know why they offered Bale $50 million…should have offered him 60.
I would be happy if it was announced he was directing, but this? I am a fan of Batman (Keatin, Bale, and animated) and now all I am thinking is “oh well at least Avengers 2 is out that summer”. Affleck is waaaay too distracting and carries too much baggage for a role like this. This is Warner Bros kissing ass, not searching for the best actor for the role.
Since WB passed Matt Bomer over for MOS they should have made amends by offering him the role of Batman. He would have been better than Ben. Anyways I’m hoping he will get the part of Tony Stark after RDJ retires from the role.
yes ,matty b ,or tom hardy (i just look for any reason to bring these two up )
At least the mask will cover his expressionless face.
He is a bad actor and a midiocre director but that’s how Hollywood likes them best.
Christian Bale is a superior actor. Why is he off the franchise? Did he want to be taken off? I can see Ben as Bruce Wayne, but not Batman. And he IS a better director than actor, unlike Matt Damon who is a phenomenal actor.
He felt that 3 Batman movies were enough so he said he wouldn’t come back to do a JL movie.
Bale did the series to work with Nolan. They said three and done, they meant three and done. So why id he off? Integrity believe it or not.
I’m laughing at the people saying give it a chance, like with Ledger or Hathaway. In those cases you had Nolan having shown some chops and earning the benefit if the doubt. Man of Steel was full of awful awful choices that almost drown out any of the good ones. No benefit of the doubt here.
^^^ Exactly. Not only that, but Ledger and Hathaway had already proven themselves actors before. (I mean, Candy, Brokeback Mountain, anyone?) Just because it worked with already talented actors that people wouldn’t think fit, doesn’t mean it’s going to work for Affleck who’s track record isn’t as great ON SCREEN. He seems like a nice guy, Ben, but what in the holy hell is this?
@Side-Eye,
Thank you for the nod to “Candy”! That is a beautiful, heart-wrenching film. I love it. Don’t know why more people haven’t seen it.
I could see it 100 times & still get misty at he final scene.
On entirely different note, Val Kilmer IS Batman for me.
Michael Keaton did it for me. Bale was a close second. Clooney was a joke and now Ben will be too.
So agree! Michael Keaton will always be Batman to me. I love Christian Bale though. Ugh, I wish he agreed to star in this movie.
Ben Affleck + Batman = EPIC FAIL… I love Batman but I will not see this movie. He just doesn’t read “Batman” to me.
Totally agree about Michael. I love Tim Burton’s Batman, and am constantly quoting lines from it. (“I don’t know if it’s art, but I like it.”)
Many have commented on Keaton–what went wrong for him? He was so huge back in the day then like Winona he just went away.
I told my boys (13 and 11) this at breakfast. They were horrified. “That weird looking guy?” The 13 year old said. The 11 year old said,” epic fail.”
aww
I thought my husband was going to put his head through the wall last night. He is honestly depressed over it. I don’t see it at all though even he admitted there be worse choices.
Oh and for those who don’t know, it sounds like it’s all a ploy to get him to direct the Justice League movies since one of his demands is he play Batman.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Why so serious?
If he directs, the chance of shirtless Batman/Bruce Wayne is 100%.
LOL. And true.
What a pile of shite rubbish choice. As much presence and charisma as a plank of wood.
And that’s cheap manufactured MDF ‘wood’ too. He doesn’t even warrant comparison with proper wood.
LOL exactly
Are you kidding me? They’re putting this boring non-event in place of Christian Bale?! That is just … unexplainable. I was unhappy with Batman even being in the next Superman movie, but with Affleck as Batman that has probably just ruled it out for me now. That’s two strikes against it. That movie is just going to suck.
Bad choice – I can’t see him in either the Batman or Bruce Wayne role.
I think he’s become a better actor and a great director, but I just don’t see this, especially after how great Bale and Nolan’s Batman movies were. I also think they should have gone a little bit younger. Ben is a bit older than Bale, who by the last one was playing Batman at the end of his run.
This is just wrong on so many levels.Any of the rumoured choices would have been better than Ben.
Well, they wanted an older Batman, so they got him. I think Ben is a good director but he is a bland actor. Honestly, if they were looking on the lines of Affleck, they should have just gotten Damon. At least Damon can act.
I think there are a ton of choices out there better than him. Karl Urban, Jim Caviezel (both of those men have TV shows) or Idris Elba all come to mind.
I could see Jim Caviezal. He does stoic and broody wonderfully in Persons of Interest. Idris would be wonderful!!! I was even hoping for Wes Bentley….but Ben Affleck…..ugh…Michael Keaton or Christian Bale any day. Heck, even Adam West would be better
Idris Elba has a British TV show — Luther. Great alternative suggestions all.
KARL URBAN. That man needs to be more famous.
I hate to reply to myself, but I had another thought I forgot to add. I would have liked to have seen them use an actor who is ready to make a big breakthrough (kind of like Bale who had knocked around the industry a while but had not had that big, break through movie). Ben Affleck is not that guy, he’s broken through. I was not really on board with the Wes Bentley rumors, but I would have rather seen him in the role then Affleck.
I forgot about Elba and Luther.
Idris Elba would have been an exciting choice, for sure. My two cents: I was actually thinking, if he had not already played Hulk, I would say give Eric Bana a chance. He can kick ass, pull off sophisticated Bruce Wayne, AND he has a sexy voice. Maybe 10 years is enough to forgive that unfortunate Hulk movie?
Could someon fill me in on why Bale bailed on continuing in Batman?
He felt the story was over and there was no need for him to continue. He felt three times as the Bat was enough for him.
Should have opened the bank for Bale like Disney did for RDJ. This is why the Justice League movie will never take off. Uninspired, attention-grabbing choice. Ben may be a great director but he sucks as an actor.
I think they offered him 50 mil to return, he just didn´t want to do it anymore.
I’ve heard that too. And man does it make me respect Bale a little bit more. It would be so easy to be like what 50mil???? where’s my cape? But he said something and he stuck to it. I also like him because he sang the power puff girls theme song on a peter travers interview.
Yeah. As much as that saddens and depresses me, it just makes me respect Bale even more, because it shows that he’s not all about the money and cares about his craft–when he says something, he sticks by it.
And yet…dammit, Christian.
I respect him for it, too, but damn…Ben Affleck? No. No. No.
Sorry ladies but that 50 mil offer to Bale was just a rumor. Bale was never offered 50 mil to return as Batman. That was a rumor that was started by a blogger. It was a more of a what if they offered Bale 50 mill to return.
Genius. They have people talking and they knew that would happen.
Talking and the villagers ready to burn you at the stake is two different things. This is not good talk, Affleck and the WB should tread carefully.
Just because people are talking about it, doesn’t mean it’s good.
This is bad buzz not good. If the studio is listening they should rethink Affleck. But they won’t because all they care about is a name that will sell the movie worldwide and Affleck’s name will do.
No. No. No. No.
Ben does his worst acting in big-budget movies where he can’t control the script. He wants validation for his acting but he won’t get it here.
This is a terrible idea. They should have stuck with Bale.
I mean, he has the looks but that’s about it. I say bring back Michael Keaton!!! 🙂
I agree! Michael Keaton was the best Batman!!
Ben is…well, alright. I thought Val Kilmer did an alright job as Batman, so Ben might be like that. The Val Kilmer of Batmen.
I think Ben will be the George Clooney of Batmen, just bad. Clooney almost destroyed the Batman franchise. He sucked.
Hahahhaha check this out!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/ben-affleck-is-the-new-batman?s=mobile
Christian Bale was amazing as Batman/Bruce Wayne. I fell in love with his acting chops in Newsies so clearly this means whoever is next has some big shoes to fill. I can’t see Ben Affleck as playing a good superhero simply because he already tried that formula and it bombed. Maybe he was chosen because he could easily play the Bruce Wayne part? White guy in a suit? Christian Bale had that oomph and screen presence that I have NEVER seen with Ben Affleck, he just doesn’t possess that kind of talent.
I don’t think he has the charisma to pull of Bruce Wayne, at least Clooney looks comfortable in a tux, Affleck always looks like he’s crashing someone’s wedding after a bender.
Worst casting since Kstew got the role of Bella. Ben should stick to directing, it’s what he does best.
Kstew was perfect for Bella. She looks absolutely right, she’s shallow but thinks she’s deep, and she seems to hate everyone. Admittedly, she’s not as insufferable as Bella, but then who in the real world is?
Affleck for Batman is ridiculous, though.
Let’s get to the real story, is Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing Robin? God I would marry that man.
Why (both on his side and from the casting perspective)?!
I wouldn’t mind except for his voice. Not sure he has the commanding voice for Batman.
“I doubt he can fill Christian Bale’s shoes, but I guess we’ll see. ”
I have no doubt he will not fill Bale’s shoes. What a horrible idea. I am appalled by this decision and I won’t be watching.
ps: Maybe they wanted to choose someone who’s acting skills was not that great, so it could match up to Cavill’s skills…
“Maybe they wanted to choose someone who’s acting skills was not that great, so it could match up to Cavill’s skills…”
Next to Cavill almost anyone looks like Laurence Olivier (even Affleck).
If they wanted someone whose acting chops (lol!) matched Cavill’s, they should’ve gone with Hayden Christensen (but I still think Christensen is slightly better than Cavill).
Ugh. As a Batman fan, a very big no. He’ll be classified to the meh Batman wannabes: Val k, George C
How can his agent/manager/wife let him do this? Super hero sequel? this will ruin him. Again!
I was shocked when I read he was chosen – they need someone with amazing lips, since that’s all you see in the mask, and he does not fit the bill.
That being said, his son may have been part of the reason he’s going ths direction. My son would love it if hs dad was Batman!
Ugh. I don’t even want to watch it anymore.
Poor casting choice. The movie is probably going to bomb now.
If they could not get Christian Bale back as Batman aka The Dark Knight then they should have looked for an mid aged actor that had charisma, mystery,great actor (even if a no name like Cavill), and great body & voice. Ben Affleck voice is whimpy nothing in his voice is manly and that alone has screwed up the legacy of Batman. I think the WB need to go back and read the DC Comic series for the Dark Knight because it is apparent they have no clue on what they are doing.
They are just picking someone, anyone they think will fill the seats for profit instead of making an epic movie out of legendary fictional characters.
Congratulations George Clooney!
Now you are no longer the worst Batman.
LOL coffee on the screen 🙂 Michael Keaton was the best Bruce Wayne.
Totally agree that Michael Keaton was the BEST.
Clooney has never done a dang thing for me, and I can say the same for Affleck.
He was my favorite.
What a great comment! Hahaha
Comment of the day award. 🙂
I’m probably one of the few but I think Clooney was a decent Bruce Wayne (he was awful as a Batman) *hides in a corner*
LOL – Zack Snyder can’t do anything right.
Holy Batman he looks hiiiiiiigghh.
This is such an out of left field choice. If everyone who’d ever heard of Batman made a top 10 list of who should play the next Batman, 0.0000002% may have put Ben Affleck on their list at number 10.
It’s the type of choice where you read “Ben Affleck will be great in the role” and you can feel the embarrassment of the author. You know even they aren’t really convinced.
I never liked Bale as Batman (I know… I am one of the few). I’m not going to jump on the OMG Ben Affleck will be the worse Batman ever bandwagon. Ben Affleck is a good actor when given a good script and director (Hollywoodland / The Town). I am going to give the man a fair chance to prove himself.
WB wanted Ben to direct The Justice League movie. Nolan wanted Ben to direct The last Batman movie. He turned both down.
I think WB is working towards Ben Affleck directing The Justice League movie and playing the Batman role. He has already proven he can direct himself and work with a large group of actors. Ben already has a movie deal with WB. There is no way WB is going to let Ben go down in flames with Batman. My guess is WB had to sweeten Ben’s current movie deal in order for him to take on this role for them. So far the Justice League movie is going no where. This may be the start of a deal to get the movie made. Because Marvel is beating DC in superhero movies.
OMG, all I can think of is “DareDevil”
Please Gawd NOOOOO with this decision.
WHAT THE @##*!!!
Terrible choice. Just awful. He’s not Bruce Wayne. No way. No how. I hate this. I don’t have anything against Ben. I like Ben fine. It’s just not right. After Daredevil, I think all of us prayed to never see Ben attempt a superhero ever again. I mean we know he’s a comic nerd, but come on! This seems masochistic to attempt this again.
Nothing can describe my anguish and nerd rage right now.
Bad choice !!
Alfred is NOT amused.
I will NOT watch this movie. Daredevil was HORRIBLE. I had doubts about Ledger being Joker as well but you have to remember that Heath could actually act while Ben just looks at the camera and talks the lines. He needs to be behind the camera, not in front of it. Snyder is already a terrible director and now that he has ruined what is Bruce Wayne I’m going to go jump from a building.
Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate this.
Just throwing this out there….
But since Affleck has too much baggage and isn’t at all manly/sexy/intimidating or dark…..then I vote Christopher Meloni as the New Batman…
He is broody, hot and can be dark and bothered!
And he is older.
Just my two cents…
God twitter exploded since the announcement, the comments are hilarious.
Isn’t he too old? Like he is too old for Gone Girl?
Yes.
But Hollywood isn’t about to stop putting men who are way too old (and women who are way too young) for roles into them — after all, it’s an old rich white boys’ club.
After Bale they get this wooden face. Ughhhh I don’t wanna live in this world anymore
Meryl Streep would’ve been a great choice. http://vimeo.com/9967678
Horribly uninspired, and utterly predictable.
I genuinely think Ben Affleck is a crappy actor. Good (not great) director, yes, but crappy actor.
Not on board with this. They should have made those rumors a reality and thrown $50 million at Christian Bale. But then Bale would have to act opposite… Henry Cavill. Shudder. Never mind then.
Ben Affleck is systematically ruining all the movies I want to see. First Gone Girl and now as Batman, when will he STAAAAHP?
Sooo eventually I’m going to stop laughing with this stupid choice or should I just die now?
Yoda would’ve been a nice choice in contrast.
I’m just glad it wasn’t Richard Armitage. He’s tood good for that project 🙂
Me too! I mean, I think he is a great actor & I can picture him doing well with the role, but I don’t want him involved because I think the whole project just sucks.
I don’t get why they are bringing Batman into the Superman storyline so quickly.
They even started a petition to get Ben fired from the role. Lol
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/415/483/471/fire-ben-affleck-as-batman/
I might not like the choice, but having a petition to get him fired is a bit ridiculous.
It is mean but Ben Affleck is not a good choice for this role, it’s nothing against Ben personally, I’m sure he’s a great guy IRL, but it’s very bad casting and the fans will have their say about it in the blogosphere.
Were the people who made this decision on crack?? In the immortal words of Charles Barkley…turrible.
SMH… I hope Ben’s Batman never makes it out of the Batcave to see the light of Day. WTH were they inhaling during this decision Kryptonite? No one did Batman better than Michael or Christian (leaning Bale side) dark, mysterious, that voice, charismatic, compassionate just enough so that the arrogance was a delicious bonus. Sorry Ben’s Batman all I see is a poor schlep from Boston wearing a Batman costume reading his lines w/ little emotion & in a monotone soft voice. If they couldn’t get Bale back I agree Meloni as Batman! Anyone is better than dare I say it the man from Gili that played DareDevil & ruined him! I like some of Ben’s acting.. But no never gonna see Super Hero protecting Gotham as a plus coming from Affleck.
I am soooooo over superhero movies right now! I know the DC/Marvel/Studios all see the rights as endless banks to withdraw from, but shouldn’t they consider that they can actually harm the brands by oversaturation?
In a word…nope. There will ALWAYS be an audience for the big CGI heavy blockbuster superhero movies and studio execs know that. And as further advancement are made with CGI, studios for the most part don’t mind spending 100mil on a movie if evidence is good that they’ll get a substantial ROI.
Hell muthafu cu NO
Will not be seeing this one. I just told my boyfriend about ben and he chuckled and goes. ..”ya I dont like his acting for superhero roles. He kinda sucks unless its a dramody.”
Bad casting on this movie already, so I’m just gonna pretend it doesn’t exsist and get a good laugh when I see a trailer.
Seriously…that dude from the old snickers commercials “…I’m batman…” would be better lmao!
Ben must have stuff on some exec to get this role…
No, just no. Keaton is Bruce Wayne. Kilmer is The Batman. Affleck may possibly be worse than Clooney (quite a feat, too! Good job, WB!). Bale has nice nice arms I like to stare at, but that’s about it.
WB, repent! Recant! Just put up with the crazy and the fat and call Kilmer. Really.
I guess Benny-boy is still desperate to have the same leading man status as Damon. That should explain why he is going Runner Runner, Gone Girl and then this movie. I mean, Damon has so many great directors at the tip of his fingers. He could get cast in any of their movies if he likes. Affleck *tried* to get the same in the 90s/early 2000s……and failed miserably. I see him trying to recreate that again. He would always be a part of the boys club where Clooney will be willing to produce a movie of his. But when it comes to casting? Clooney didn’t even throw him a bone for that sausage-fest Monuments Men.
I don’t belong to the same club that says “Bale and no one else”. That was Nolan’s version of Batman and there is no need to emulate the same again. But why not pick someone from the other rumoured choices? West Bentley, Josh Brolin, Richard Armitage? Heck there are some great TV actors out there too (and by that I am not referring to the CW stars). Even Cavill was a TV star before Superman. Then again they can’t cast a good actor against the acting vacuum called Cavill. So pat on the back I guess?
Damon is the far superior actor, that’s why he’s got awesome directors on speed dial. Affleck is fairly good at directing…why can’t he just stick to that? I mean…Clooney almost ruined Batman for me (I still get nauseous when I think about those horrible movies). Bale taught me how to love Batman again…and now THIS?? WB…why do you hate us?
He looks SO STONED in that header image.
So long as it is not a return to the middle and late ’90s.
Ben is sexy! He has the body for the costume lol
Maybe if he gets busy in the gym, last I saw he was looking a little bloated and well-fed. He’ll have to clean that up if he’s going to be squeezing into black latex. I don’t envy him that costume, what a nightmare for an actor, emote but only with your chin.
If I were Henry Cavill, I’d be feeling pretty insulted right about now. Obviously they have no confidence in his ability to carry this franchise, and think throwing in a big name star who is known more for directing than acting at this point, will save this from being a complete disaster. Cavill’s movie franchise, just became all about someone else, someone with name recognition guaranteed to overshadow him, but clearly not suited to the role. Sucks to be him, but maybe he’s just glad to have someone to share the blame with when the next film tanks.
You know I was thinking the same thing. I am thinking if I am Henry Cavill, I am either of two minds:
1. Insulted-they think he can’t handle the franchise. Promotion for the movie is going to be all about Ben. Making less money then Ben.
2. Looking towards the future. Ben directs pretty decent movies so Henry could have an in on one of Ben’s next films that he’s directing.
Something about Batman as a character is suppose to be dark and mysterious, which is why I think Michael pulled it off so well. He had the perfect charisma to be Batman.The same with Jack and Heath as the joker. Val, George, and Christian couldn’t do it, I just don’t see Ben doing it either. He seems smug and it will be unbelievable.
One word DAREDEVIL
People think Gigli could have ended his career, I think Daredevil could have also.
Can we bring up the travesty that was Pearl Harbor? Dude has been in some real stinkers.
LOL I thought this was a joke
You know it’s bad when in the first day after announcement people laughed their ass in comments. What will happen when people will see Ben in costume? You know that he will look ridiculous.
I wonder if they understood what kind of reaction they would get.
Yay lets get the two most boring actors to play our beloved superheros!!! Honestly Cavill was not bad but not that good as Superman but he was just OK. That whole MOS movie was a mess. I know DC is trying to make the JL movie but batman is going to steal the spotlight from superman no matter who plays him. People like superman but he is no where near as popular as Batman.
Ill leave my judgement until the movie but I really won’t have faith because zacky boy is gonna direct this one to.
Yuck! Ben Affleck will make a terrible Batman. I don’t even like Batman compared to other comics, but I feel bad for poor Batman. Daredevil is just one step away from the worst Batman ever. There was Michael Keaton, still the sbsolutely worst Batman ever.
I thought Ben was a director now? I was so hoping that I wasn’t going to ever watch him act again.
DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL! No it’s not possible!
i think he will be great in it.
Whoever proposed him as the Batman should be fired.
Just as his career was on the rise, this will sink it. What’s he trying to copy Robert Downey Jr. It works for Robert Downey Jr, cuz he is so lovable where Ben comes across as a douche. Sorry, he probably is a nice guy.
I’m sick of middle-aged Batmen. And he acts with his teeth. This movie is going to be an epic disaster.
Karl Urban was up for it. I could have had Karl Urban on the big screen in the Batsuit. Stupid people picked Ben. I like him, but no. Pffft.
I can’t understand why he would do this. I mean these kinds of franchises are for actors trying to be made or those trying to reinvent themselves. Ben has 2 Oscars. Neither for acting. He is coming off a positive high and then he makes this decision. It reeks of people that do some dumb movie after they win the Oscar. It seems to be the trend.
The only reason(s) I can think of are EGO or he wants a big Franchise under his belt. That is it. Because his being Batman is not going to be a career builder; I mean Batman is not going to give him an Oscar for acting. I think it is all about his BO numbers.
And I think he really does copy off a select group of actors. He wants the status that they have. Won’t name names, but look at his interviews and it is all there.
I don’t have really anything against Affleck, but every movie i have ever seen him in i can never separate the actor from the role. He just never really transform into characters or he put too much of his own mannerisms into the role. Also he always seem to do the same expressions in all his movies. Also he has a weak ass jawline for Batman.
Yes, I have the same problem with him. It’s not that I have anything against him, I barely follow news about him, but in every role I saw him, he’s just, well, himself all the time. Or rather, I never saw the character he played, but “Ben Affleck”.
ffffffffffffffff*ck I’m pretty sure he’s going to be really bad.
He’s got bruce waynes looks, i guess you could say, but that’s all. He’s not a tough enough looking actor. Bruce is handsome, and tough…this guy is pretty and not tough…*sigh*
Bale was good, his disguised voice was horrendous, but he was a pretty good choice. I don’t know truth be told I don’t care that much, the dark knight trilogy was OK. It’s not an easy thing to do to pull off a good super hero movie, so in that sense they did alright. but none of these movies come close to truly touching upon the essence of who and what the batman and gotham is.
It should’ve been Jon Hamm! He would have been perfect!
Affleck is going to suck.
This is not as bad as Tom Cruise being cast as Jack Reacher! still cant get over that…
I think instead of ‘chops’ they meant ‘plugs’. Still better than Gerard Butler.
I was just looking a that picture of that DUMB Daredevil movie
and Jennifer Garner could have been a good Wonder Woman.. if she had done it right after that TV show. But she is too old for the character now.
Anyone looking for proof that the country has gone to hell in a handbasket need not look any further than the fact that the White House was petitioned on this matter. Children are being murdered in Syria with chemical weapons. Unemployment had jumped to 8.9%. A record number of Americans are on food stamps and disability. And yet, there are people whose major concern in life is who is cast to play Batman. Really?
I think he is just looking for a blockbuster role, like Robert Downey Jr, Iron Man, Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hugh Jackman might be getting his series Wolferine,also Brad Pitt World War Z. A writer on Huffington post have written Warner Bros plan is to keep this final actor, and maybe that is why Ben wants this role to have his block buster like the afore mentioned actors who are Hollywood leading men in the money,maybe that is why so many people are protesting Ben Affleck as the next choice to play Batman, he might be sticking around for awhile. In my opinion he has type cast himself, Affleck is not a bad actor but he is very political, serious and seem to do well in movies that mirrors his personality, hard to see him transform to an action hero, dare devil was awful, Argo was good.
First Gone Girl and now Batman. I don’t hate him but he is a bit vanilla.
I DON’T THINK THAT HE WILL MAKE A GOOD BATMAN. DID ANYONE WATCH DARE DEVIL IT SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!