In many of the negative reviews that I read of this summer's attempted blockbuster Superman movie, The Man of Steel, and I read many, quite a few of the reviewers expressed a quaint, faint hope that already scheduled sequel would be better. However, I'm certain that with the latest casting news concerning said sequel, quite a few of them have abandoned even that small hope.
If you don't know what I'm referring to, I hope you're sitting down, because I'm about to break the news to you that Ben Affleck has been chosen to play Batman.
Now, to be fair, Affleck could end up defying the expectations of everyone on Earth except Kevin Smith and NOT totally suck as Batman. There are those out here in cyberspace who are quick remind of 1989. Back then, fandom assembled was simply aghast over the revelation that Michael Keaton, an actor who, despite an acclaimed dramatic turn in Clean and Sober, was known primarily as a comedian, had been chosen to play their beloved Dark Knight. The detractors feared a return of the dreaded "camp" of the reviled 1960s TV show. Most of these doubters soon changed their tune upon actually viewing the film. Keaton aquitted himself quite well as the Caped Crusader. Although, in my opinion, he did a better job out of costume as Bruce Wayne than as Batman. Of course, the fact that he could hardly move in that suit didn't help matters. Likewise, I understand that their was some objection in the ranks of fandom to Heath Ledger playing the Joker in The Dark Knight, a performance that has gone on to be acknowledged as one of the highlights of the late actor's all too brief career. And absolutely nobody thought David Hasselhoff was right to play Nick Fury, and...well, in that case they were right and the less said about that travesty, the better.
To those who take such a wait and see stance, the universal response, which I echo here, has been, "You have seen Daredevil, right?" Granted, the casting of Affleck was only one of that movies many flaws, but I think it proved that Ben should probably avoid attempting to play leather clad urban vigilantes in the future. Ah, well, you know what they say about those who will not learn from the mistakes of the past.
After seeing Daredevil, I often remarked that the scenes of Affleck running in that film reminded me of Adam West as Batman. Maybe that's the point in making Affleck Batman. Perhaps his performance in MOS II will be a tribute to West's Caped Crusader. Of course, he'll have to put on a few pounds to get that paunch West had that spilled over the top of his utility belt. For an actor as dedicated to his craft as Affleck is, though, that should be no problem.
OK, well, I'm all snarked out for now on this subject. I'd love to hear your opinions about the whole affair.
Keaton did better as Beetlejuice, a role he was born to play. Hell, it was a role I was born to play. Nevertheless, I think Affleck could do something with this, if he handles it right. He is a good actor.
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