Actor, director, screenwriter and producer Ben Affleck is no stranger to fan outrage or hyper criticism. Since his first superhero role of Daredevil was considered by many a huge box office flub and poor role choice for Affleck fans and professional critics alike have viewed him with a wary eye. Every time a new Affleck project hits the big and small screen folks have been ready to pounce, yet since his bio-pic portrayal of TV icon George Reeves (TV’s most famous Superman) in the acclaimed “Hollywoodland”, critics at least have been seeing the Academy Award winner with new eyes of respect and even a bit of envy.
However, with the recent announcement that Affleck would take on one of DC Comics most beloved characters, Batman, for the next film in the Superman franchise, that ole’ hate Ben ire has again reared its ugly head.
Affleck is taking all the negative comments in stride however, having been forewarned early on by DC that these kind of reactions was expected by the studio and that he shouldn’t take it to heart to which Ben replied in a recent Jimmy Fallon interview,”You can’t say that before a movie comes out. It doesn’t matter what you think then, it matters what you think when you see the movie.” Affleck makes a very good point as can be attested to by such stars as Michael Keaton, Anne Hathaway, legend Marlon Brando and the late Heath Ledger. They were all lambasted ahead of their prospective movie releases of Batman and Superman for their assigned roles in each but proved all the critics and harsh fans wrong with brilliant performances. In fact, it is highly unlikely that anyone in show business will be taking on The Joker role any time soon after Ledger’s monumentally stellar portrayal of Gotham City’s worst of the baddies. Yet, when Heath Ledger was originally cast he and the studio heads were met with derision and hyper-critical remarks from the press and on the internet.
“I’m a big boy,” Affleck told Fallon. “They (studio heads) said just don’t use the Internet for a couple of days …. I handle shit. I’m very tough. I saw the announcement, I look down on the first comment … the first one just goes, ‘Nooooooooo!'”
One last bit of Affleck/Batman news. Rumor has it that Affleck may, since his highly successful “Argo,” “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Town,” be asked to direct a future DC superhero franchise movie. Either another Superman/Batman collaboration or possibly a Justice League feature film. Affleck has signed on with Warner and DC for a multi-picture deal for both acting, writing, producing and directing.
I thought he was great as Daredevil
I’ve got nothing against Affleck, he’s a great actor and I like him in most of his films (I haven’t watched a whole lot of his films), I even liked him in Daredevil. I just don’t think he has the Batman look. I know he’s going to play the part good, and he’ll look good in the Bruce Wayne parts, it’s just the Batman parts I’m worried about. Then again, he can’t be as bad as George Clooney I suppose.
I never did like that decision, and that was when I was a kid!
Way back when Michael Keaton was chosen to play Batman for the Tim Burton version, many people said, “He’s a comedic actor, he doesn’t look tough enough,” and a lot more, but he pulled it off. I don’t see why Affleck can’t do the same. I’m not a big fan of his, but I think he has the talent to do a decent job and there are probably a lot worse choices out there.
The really important part is how good the script will be and how good the direction will be. Bad story sinks the movie before it starts and poor direction can do the same. A really good story with strong character development combined with solid direction and editing makes everyone look good.
When this project has the complete cast and crew listed on IMDB, look at whose producing, directing and writing and look at their past credits. That will give you a truer indication of whether this movie is going to be worth watching.
Michael Keaton, Anne Hathaway and Marlon Brando gave “brilliant” performances?
You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means.