re: Ben Affleck is the new Batman

Affleck will be fine. I just think there are scores of other actors out there they could have picked that could have brought something new to the character.

Feels like the WB just went with the biggest name they could find, which really isn't necessary for such a large tentpole movie like this, which will bring in big box office regardless.

Yeah, they definitely need to finally put the "World's Greatest Detective" version of Batman on the big screen - a wise-cracking Sherlock Holmesian version of the character would be a nice change of pace after the Nolan movies.

Isn't this the same reaction everyone had when heath ledger got casted as the joker?

pretty much

I'm not sure most of these people have seen his last several roles either.

I know its been brought up many times but he is great in Hollywoodland. He hits many of the notes needed for an actor to properly play Bruce Wayne in that film. He plays a good looking dude, a little on the smarmy side in public, does well as a lady killer, and is secretly very sad and tortured. If he can pull off that kind of performance again it should be fine. I'm not all that worried considering how he has did in recent movies like Argo, The Town, and even State of Play.

I'm also not worried about him being Batman. He has the size, a jawline that won't look stupid under the mask, and can surely do no worse than the silly voice Bale went with.

this movie will ultimately come down to the writing and direction.

case in point, Batman and Robin.

As much as people bag on Clooney there was really nothing he, or any actor for that matter, could have done to save Batman and Robin b/c the script, set design, and direction were horrid from the get go.

Same will apply here. If its written well, Affleck will be just fine. If its not, it'll be kind of tough to blame the actors.


So TLDR, the only thing anyone should be worried about is if Batman is written as poorly as Lois was in Man of Steel. As long as he isn't shoehorned into several scenes for no good reason like Lois was it will be fine.

I'll put this out there:

In terms of a more dedicated comic book adaptation of the character, Affleck has a chance to be a better fit for BW/Batman than Bale.

Let the rioting commence

I always thought Bale was one of the weaker elements of the Nolan trilogy, which relied more on Nolan's sublime expertise behind the camera than it did on Bale carrying the film forward by himself. And Micheal Caine outshined him in almost every single scene they were in together. I love the movies, well except for TDKR, and I really enjoy Bale as an actor, but his Bruce was too stiff, and not in a good way.

Bale played a Wayne who treated his role as a burden, which was completely intentional and ok, but that really affected his portrayal of a more complex Bruce Wayne. He was extremely one note throughout.

I think Affleck's cocksure smarminess will lighten the character just enough to be more interesting, but not enough to take away the darkness. Argo is proof of an effective balance for duty and burden.

nothing against affleck in other parts or as a director but this seems like a clumsy choice

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In terms of a more dedicated comic book adaptation of the character, Affleck has a chance to be a better fit for BW/Batman than Bale.

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(I always thought Bale was one of the weaker elements of the Nolan trilogy, which relied more on Nolan's sublime expertise behind the camera than it did on Bale carrying the film forward by himself. And Micheal Caine outshined him in almost every single scene they were in together. I love the movies, well except for TDKR, and I really enjoy Bale as an actor, but his Bruce was too stiff, and not in a good way).

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I agree. The best parts of the film had nothing to do with Bale.

I've liked Bale far better in other performances.

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I always thought Bale was one of the weaker elements of the Nolan trilogy, which relied more on Nolan's sublime expertise behind the camera than it did on Bale carrying the film forward by himself. And Micheal Caine outshined him in almost every single scene they were in together. I love the movies, well except for TDKR, and I really enjoy Bale as an actor, but his Bruce was too stiff, and not in a good way.

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I totally agree. It's one of the reasons I even hated rumors about Bale continuing the role. He was ok, but barely that in terms of what I'd want. And let's not even start on the Drano voice...

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I think Affleck's cocksure smarminess will lighten the character just enough to be more interesting, but not enough to take away the darkness. Argo is proof of an effective balance for duty and burden.

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Definitely possible. I don't hate the choice because of anything about Affleck's abilities. I just worry about him not being able to ditch his persona and become Wayne/Bats. I worry it will be as distracting as it would have been had they cast James Caan, or Robert Redford as Supes back in 1977. While I would think it might suck for an actor to be typecast like that, from a moviegoer's perspective, there's something magical about seeing an unknown actor take on an iconic role and virtually become that character.

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I looked it up and it says Affleck is 6'4. I assume he will put on some weight for this role also.

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No idea he was that tall. I was still picturing more massive though, but I'm open to it.

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I was still picturing more massive though

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Would probably be difficult to find a guy that huge who can actually act. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. Hopefully Affleck can put on some muscle like Bale did.