If you’d asked me what the most unlikely thing my Facebook TL
could’ve thrown up at me yesterday morning, I doubt that the news that seems to
have got everyone throwing their geek toys out of the pram on various social media
outlets would’ve even crossed my mind. But, as Den of Geek (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/batman/27009/confirmed-ben-affleck-new-batman-release-date-announced)
broke it to me in my slumberous haze; Ben Affleck has been cast as the new
Batman in the upcoming Superman vs. Batman film.
Like many, this wasn’t my first choice – in fact, it hadn’t
even been rolling around in my ball park – but I’m not a casting director, so
what do I know? But then again, so soon after Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy,
which I’m not ashamed to say I’m a big fan of, I couldn’t really see anyone
other than Christian Bale as Batman at the moment (give me at least a few years
to get over it, before throwing around names to replace him!). But this is
Hollywood and with The Avengers pulling in the crowds (and more importantly the
profits) cashing in on established superheroes, I assume, is top of every big
studio execs to do list.
But the casting of Affleck really did throw me, and not
necessarily because I don’t think he fits the character of Batman, or is an
inferior actor not capable of handling the role. Physically he fits the part,
and at least on paper he is the ‘older’ version of Batman that Snyder
supposedly wanted, if maybe not as old looking as this had made me believe they
wanted. But what seemed at odds in this decision was not the choice of the producers
to go with Ben Affleck, but the decision of Affleck to take this role. Over the
last few years he has worked hard to leave behind the tainted image of his
career that films, such as Pearl Harbour, Daredevil and Gigli, had created to
that of a respected actor/director. The guy even won a directing Oscar last
year! Why would he risk the reputation of this new era of his career for a role
in a big-budget superhero movie?
Ben Affleck does not need this role. But maybe that’s the point,
he doesn’t need it, but maybe he wants it. After all, who wouldn’t jump at the
chance to be their favourite superhero onscreen? (Really, anyone thinking, ‘no,
because I know that would be a shit film’, like you’d really care once that
spandex and cape were put into your hands). And it begs the question, if
Affleck has taken this role for the love of the character then how much
influence, considering his recent writing/directorial success, will he be able
to bring to the part? And this could be a good thing (I’m being optimistic
here, it could also be a disaster). The fandoms may be imploding with this news
right now, but for every Stallone as Dredd, there’s Ledger’s Joker, and until
we start to see what this film is actually shaping up to be passing judgement
on a casting decision alone seems a little futile. So geek toys back in the
pram people, and just remember, if this incarnation of Batman bombs you’ll only
have a year or two to wait for the next ‘reimagining’ of the caped crusader.
