Just as everyone remembers where they were when something Earth-shattering happens, the same is true for the most recent announcement that Ben Affleck will be portraying Batman in the next 'Man of Steel' film. Not simply because it is assumed as a "bad" thing. Mainly because fans who are invested in Batman, have been following this iconic character through various types of media for years, and feel passionate about the future of his existence feel that this character should forever be given considerable thought when casting. I try to read EVERYTHING that fans post, online media sources publish, and individuals who have a stake in Batman put out on their social media platforms. Obviously people have opinions, some people are out-right angry, and most people are instantly comparing Affleck's casting to other unforeseen casting choices.
It will be easier for me to break down in points:
A.) Ben Affleck is a really good actor and I didn't always think that but watching 'The Town' changed everything for me. Obviously he realizes that this is a big thing and he WILL put his heart into the role because (besides the pay check), he doesn't want to be known as the guy who "phones it in."
B.) Yes, he played Daredevil. So what! The film Daredevil isn't a sub-par film because of Ben Affleck. The problems are hinged on the script and some other poor casting choices for Kingpin, Bullseye, and Elektra. Ben's performance is the ONLY reason I added it to my "superheroes" section of my movie collection.
C.) The casting of Ben Affleck should not be compared to other castings of Batman, Joker, or any other characters in pop culture. Keaton was the FIRST Batman on film so when he was cast obviously there would be blow back. Chances are ANYONE who was cast as the first film-version of Batman would feel the same fan outcry. Clooney's casting as Batman received fan backlash with understandable anger. My reasoning for saying that is because the 2 previous films (Batman Returns and Batman Forever) were met with mixed feedback from fans, settling on the "this neon light, circus henchmen, kiddie version" of Batman sucks!! Therefore Clooney's casting was an insult to injury, the fans felt like the executives and filmmakers behind 'Batman and Robin' were no longer taking it seriously. Clooney himself said he did it for the paycheck (AKA: phoned it in). Schumacher and other behind the scenes people working on the film explained that the film was essentially a commercial to sell toys. Ledger's casting as Joker was some what like Affleck's casting in comparison, in that Ledger was a serious actor (who took his career seriously) but had always been cast in films that made audiences perceive him as a genre/category actor with one note. Understand that the backlash was based on Ledger's previous film roles, paired with the fact that NO ONE ever thought someone could out-due Jack Nicolson's version of the Joker.
D.) Affleck, much like Two-Face have two sides of the coin to contend with - ON THE GOOD SIDE: He is a good actor, with recent performances that were well received, who is noted as taking his job seriously, and he understands the gravity of the character and the fans' passion behind the character. ON THE BAD SIDE: He will be contending with Christian Bale's version of Batman, paired with Christopher Nolan's understandably well-received darker/grittier vision of Batman films. The 'Man of Steel' sequel will be it's own thing so fans are unsure about it. Affleck also has a stigma, as Ledger also had, that he is a one-trick pony that does a certain kind of film.
E.) People who are legit geeks and in higher profile occupations: such as actors, comedians, directors, and everyone else who has more Twitter followers than Jesus himself are entitled to their opinions. What I don't understand is this media perceived notion that because those people say "thumbs up or thumbs down" about Affleck's casting, it should have some significant and "more important" weight on how legit fans are reacting to Affleck's casting. As if fans are all of a sudden going to say "well Patton Oswald, Matt Damon, Kevin Smith, and others say Affleck will be great in the role, so I'm a robot and going to agree with them!" Dear Media - Fans have their own voice, we aren't stupid! Most arguments I hear for either side are usually well thought out and understandable. I think the die-hard geeks in those higher profile gigs understand that.
F.) But now lets talk about everyone else who could give a rip, media and high profile people included. If you don't care about the casting of Batman...just shut up and keep it to yourself. You do not have the right to poke fun, publicly (via social media forums) de-humanize, or make broad stroking comments about Batman fan and their reaction to Affleck's casting. Most of the comments I've read or heard are- "why don't the nerds just calm down and go back to their basements" or "there are more important topics of news to talk about" or "did you see Miley Cyrus on the MTV Video Music Awards?" Lets get something straight - 1. No one makes fun of your fantasy football leagues so don't be a hypocrite 2. A larger majority of people reading comics and are invested in this character are gainfully employed adults who have families 3. If you think Miley Cyrus is more important than Batman, good luck to you.
To sum all of this up lets look at the facts. The future Batman isn't in jeopardy based on this one casting...however it does impact the DC franchise of films overall. Marvel films have been following a calculated formula for success with fans. Building one character upon another, giving hints about upcoming films in other films, making fans froth at the mouth for more Marvel cross-overs and stand alone films. DC has decided to be completely random with their execution of DC character films. They release a series of films, then they release a stand alone film, then they release some obscure title, then they release Green Lantern (ugh!). No cross over hints (until the most recent 'Man of Steel' film - Batman & Lex Easter eggs), no build up, no excitement - except for the initial reaction and the "sitting in the theater" reaction", and they can still call themselves a business? Until the Justice League movie was announced, I was beginning to lose hope for my most favorite DC characters and the future of DC films overall. Then 'Man of Steel' came out! It looked like the most recent comic books, with the Easter eggs - a vision of possible cross overs, plus the Justice League movie was announced with several other DC character films to come prior. I thought we were saved! THEN came Ben. Coming off the success of the most recent Batman franchise, you'd think Batman would be laid to rest for awhile or at least filmmakers would try to find an actor with the same gravitas that Bale's popular version had. Nope, we're going to take a chance on an actor who is good but hasn't proved to be large-scale franchise good! In fact, we aren't even going to put him in a movie of his own, but we will instead put him in a film with the other #1 DC character in the universe. I guess I just feel a little like when I watched 'Batman Returns' and then 'Batman Forever'...entertained but still craving the Keaton original Batman film and beginning to lose faith again in DC filmmakers to take things seriously. If you consider film-making a business, wouldn't you at least do a focus group to find out what REAL fans thought before green-lighting and announcing who will be wearing the cowl? Seems foolish from that stand point.
Back to why it is important...lets say us fans know what we are talking about and Ben flops as Batman. Where does that leave things? It leaves future Batman films with an uncertain Batman, it leaves a bad taste in the mouths of executives about cross over character films, it leaves a bad taste in their mouths about doing future DC characters that are un-proven successes, and most importantly it could delay or halt the idea of a Justice Leauge film (something DC fans have been waiting forever for). All in all I wish Mr. Affleck good luck and think he will most likely do an "ok" version of Batman (because lets face it, I'm going to see it regardless) but don't hold much hope for uber-frothing fandom cheers for more Affleck Batman.
