There I said it. How could today's post be about anything else?
I've had emails, messages, and tweets wanting to know my opinion of the casting. I gave it a night to sink in, and I came to a distinct conclusion...
I hate it.
Now, this is not an anti-Ben Affleck rant. I've enjoyed many of Affleck's movies. I think he's a sufficient actor when need be, and have been impressed with his directing.
However, he shouldn't be Batman.
If there's one thing that experience has shown it's that it is very difficult to accept actors in iconic roles once they've been typecast. Whether it's fair or not is an entirely different discussion. Affleck will never be accepted as Batman, no matter how good his performance. He will always be "the guy from Gigli" or "the actor who ruined Daredevil". Those are his labels, and they will haunt him forever.
The jokes have already begun. People wondering if Matt Damon will show up as Robin. People wondering if Jennifer Garner will take over the role of Catwoman. People wondering if Kevin Smith will be cast as Lex Luthor (alright, I made that last one up to make a point).
Ben Affleck is destined to fail as Batman, and while it's not fair to him as an actor, it's the reality of the situation. People will not accept him in the role in the same way they didn't accept Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern. They can't get past their preconceived biases to give him a chance.
Do I think Affleck can be a spectacular Batman/Bruce Wayne? No. I don't think it's a role that plays to his strengths. I think it's an attempt by the studio to bring some name value into the film (as if BATMAN isn't name value enough!). I believe a talented, relatively unknown actor should have been cast in the role, much as Henry Cavill was for Superman.
I also question the long term status of the move: I've not heard that Affleck has any interest in continuing the role into future Batman films, or the upcoming Justice League movie. Wouldn't it have been wiser to cast someone who could've been locked down for multiple films?
I will go into the film with an open mind, hoping to salvage some enjoyment from it. Surely I can find SOMETHING to like with it...
Unless they put nipples on Batman again!
He's risen past the guy from Gigli and the director's cut of DD was good. This wont ruin his career and it wont ruin Batman the way Clooney did. I have trepidation's myself. But i think he will be a great Bruce Wayne. I also think he knows more about the mythos so that we wont get a Batman that talks like Bale did. Dont get me wrong, i was freaking out last night, but remember the same reactions we had over Heath Ledger? I dont think WB wants to screw up Batman again and i dont think Ben does either. I dont think he would have stepped into those boots if he didnt think he could do it. I mean MoS had some flaws and hiring Ben to play Batman is not as bad as some of those flaws.
ReplyDeleteI'm rooting for him. I don't dislike Affleck, and I do agree with you... I very much enjoyed the director's cut of Daredevil as well (WAY better than the theatrical release!).
Deleteand Ryan Reynolds ws not the problem with GL.
ReplyDeleteNot the ONLY problem but I believe he was the biggest. Ryan Reynolds is a horrible actor.
DeleteI'm gonna keep an open mind. Not 100% either way. We all gave Nolan shit for Heath Ledger as Joker and it turned into a wonderful performance. I'm not saying Affleck is gonna earn the Oscar for it, but I say we should give him a chance.
ReplyDeleteI am willing to give Affleck a chance. I hope he does well and shuts up all the haters.
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