Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) (1 Viewer)

[Michael Elliott]

BTW, did anyone else notice how big 2015 is going to be for blockbusters??

 

[Brandon Conway]

Every retort to Affleck-criticism should just be: "Heath Ledger."

For the record, I was always on board with Ledger. His work in Brokeback Mountain, among other films, showed amazing promise as a dramatic actor.

I don't have a problem with Affleck in the majority of films I've seen him in, and I think he can be a pretty damn good Bruce Wayne, but there's a certain "Hollywood Star" aspect to him that will make it difficult for me to see him in the role of The Batman. And no, I don't think this film will need to (or necessarily should) go to the extremes of psychological darkness that the Nolan/Bale Batman did. But this casting just does not fit to me whatsoever.

I wish I could feel optimistic about this film. After all, I loved Man of Steel. And of course I'll see it when it comes out - such protests by internet fans are usually hyperbole. But my interest in the Man of Steel sequel has gone from one of my most anticipated movies in a couple years to barely registering anymore. In other words, Snyder, Affleck & Warner need to deliver some BRILLIANT pre-release content/information to win me back.

 

[joshEH]

I must admit that this entire news is downright hilarious to me because of the violent outrage that it has caused.

Still, as an actor it is now Affleck's job to get into the character. We can't judge what he's going to do here based on past performances he's given and especially when we don't know what type of character they are going to make him. I doubt they're writing a screenplay for Bale and just replacing him with Affleck. A good director should be able to take Affleck's talents and do something with them.

Can you imagine if the Internet was what it was in 1988, back when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman? It would have shut down for a day:

http://articles.latimes.com/1988-07-03/entertainment/ca-8663_1_batman-bob-kane-sam-hamm-script

Mr. Mom as Batman?
July 03, 1988


So Michael Keaton has been cast as Batman/Bruce Wayne (Cinefile, by Leonard Klady, June 26)?

He might have made a good Joker, but his comic style, which he seems unable to shake (but can amplify), has doomed this promised "serious" treatment of Bob Kane's character to the same tired, boring level of artificial "camp" that made the TV series a hit yet simultaneously doomed it to an early cancellation.



The painful lesson of "Superman III" -- when you don't treat venerable superheroes with respect the audience rejects the property -- has been ignored in this cynical, opportunistic attempt to capitalize on the success of "Beetlejuice" (same director, same star).

The Sam Hamm script that director Tim Burton is filming has many blunders, but does treat the characters basically seriously. Obviously, in casting Keaton, Burton is rejecting this approach altogether, and going after a manic comedy.

Batman has been a popular character for almost five decades -- not because he is a figure of comedy, but precisely because he is not, especially in the last couple of years. By ignoring this, by casting a clown as Batman, Warner Bros. and Burton have defecated on the history of Batman and on the hopes of those who appreciate the character and his potential.

Better they should have filmed Frank Miller's "Batman: the Dark Knight Returns." But that would have required courage, taste, and imagination.

People are fucking stupid when it comes to this kind of thing. See also: Daniel Craig announced as Bond in 2005.

Everyone shit a brick over Daniel Craig wearing a lifejacket when he was unveiled as Bond. This isn't anything new.

 

[Brandon Conway]

Also, for the record, I thought Craig as Bond was great casting.

In fact, I'm having trouble recalling any other instance when I disliked a casting decision as much as this.

 

[joshEH]

To be sure, many people were suddenly calling into question Craig's ability to even pull off the role, based on that lifejacket -- they said it "ruined his masculinity," and other such nonsense ("James Bond never wears lifejackets!" was another one). I remember people planing boycotts of Casino Royale based on nothing more than how Craig looked when he arrived at that EON press-conference.

 

[joshEH]

Here's my crazy-not-really-serious-OK-kinda-serious theory: Affleck is playing an aged-up version of the Joseph Gordon-Levitt character from Rises. In a twist that should make the Internet happy, the movie's end features JGL, a field, and a hole through Affleck's chest.

 

[TravisR]

I must admit that this entire news is downright hilarious to me because of the violent outrage that it has caused.

I have to admit that I had a lot more fun reading the insane posts around the internet than I did watching Man Of Steel (and I liked that movie).

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yeah, I think some people need to take a deep breath and just wait and see as there was a major uproar about Craig, Ledger and a few other prior casting decisions.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

In related news, Brandon Routh and Val Kilmer are putting together their own independent take on Superman vs. Batman. To be filmed on location with a cell phone at a neighborhood Mobil station using Halloween costumes.

 

[John-Weller]

I don't think I've ever seen Ben Affleck in anything so my not feeling very impressed by this announcement is pure snobbery. The same pure snobbery that made me dismiss Heath Ledger because he was "that blonde kid from A Knight's Tale." I was wrong there!

And it's Batman so I'm sure it will be interesting if nothing else. So I'm looking forward to this.

 

[joshEH]

Tweet of the Day:

Richard Dreyfuss ‏@RichardDreyfuss
You read for a part, you feel good about it, you feel confident, then they cast Ben Affleck.

 

[joshEH]

Summary of my reading on Facebook today:
Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck cats cats Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck God something Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck picture of food Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck motorcycle pics Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck 5-year-old's birthday party Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck Ben Affleck

 

[Malcolm R]

I recall a similar reaction when Ben Affleck was cast as Jack Ryan, replacing Harrison Ford in The Sum of All Fears. That didn't turn out great, but was moderately successful.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

The problem with casting Ben Affleck is that he's too big of a star. When I'm watching the movie, I won't see Bruce Wayne, I'll see Ben Affleck. There's a reason these roles tend to go to unknowns and character actors: because their wattage doesn't outshine the character's wattage.

 

[joshEH]

Snyder: "Hiya, Benji! You know what you and I have in common?"Affleck: "We're both sexy?"Snyder: "We've never been nominated for Best Director!!"

 

[Robert Crawford]

The problem with casting Ben Affleck is that he's too big of a star. When I'm watching the movie, I won't see Bruce Wayne, I'll see Ben Affleck. There's a reason these roles tend to go to unknowns and character actors: because their wattage doesn't outshine the character's wattage.

Then you can say that for any star actor playing a certain character's role. For me, that's not a problem.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I really didn't have much interest in this movie sequel. However, that's change now because I hate it when people prejudge others without giving them a chance. So for better or worse, I will see this film when it's released in 2015.

 

[Freddie Z]

I have no problem with Affleck being Batman. Daredevil was a long time ago and his acting has come a long way since then. Just check out Hollywoodland. He'll be fine.I do, however, still have a problem with Batman and Superman being in this MOS "sequel." I feel sorry for Henry Cavill not getting the chance for another solo adventure and instead having to be second fiddle to Batman. I don't think the cast of MOS expected a Bateman/Superman movie so soon. Imagine how the rest of the cast feels about having their screen time reduced to make way for Batman.

 

[Bryan Ri]

I don't think I would EVER want to be a director trying to make a movie these days... you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Has anyone seen The Town? Affleck was pretty good and that, kind of fits the bill there...

 

[Chuck Mayer]

Well you are also paid if you do, and not paid if you don't. He did have a turn as the new Jack Ryan, but I woud argue that was not successful. They didn't make any more.I was amused by the news more than anything. I'd have been more excited if Ben was offered the director's chair. I didn't care much for MoS, I feel Snyder's last few films were wrong-headed, and it is obvious they are chasing Avengers money. It feels so reactive. I'm sure Ben will do fine, though I doubt anyone will forget Bale or the Nolan trilogy any time soon. I wasn't too interested before, and I remain relatively uninterested now.If the $50M rumor is actually true, kudos to Bale for letting the Nolan trilogy stand.