Ben Affleck Will Play Batman in the Next Superman Movie

After the “Dark Knight” trilogy, Batman is scheduled to appear again on the big screen. Zack Snyder, director of “Man of Steel” revealed during last month’s Comic Con at San Diego that no previous Batman actor will reprise the role. The new Batman is none other than Ben Affleck. Social media is currently abuzz with this most intriguing superhero news. Fans are already speculating on details of the epic Superman vs. Batman onscreen battles. On July 17, 2015, movie fans will witness something never before seen.

Affleck has the chops

Affleck, 41-years old came to fame in 1997 for co-writing and co-starring in the breakthrough film, “Good Will Hunting.” In his first year in Hollywood, he won the Academy Award with buddy Matt Damon for Original Screenplay and from there on he went to act in numerous box office hit movies. He eventually went to directing and found success and acclaim there as well. His most recent project, “Argo” won the Academy Award for Best Picture (2012).

The bet’s on Ben

With his impressive filmography and box office success, Greg Silverman, the president of Warner Bros said that Affleck fits the bill to play one of DC’s “most enduringly popular superheroes.” He said that the studio wanted an extraordinary actor to play Batman and Affleck was the right choice. Snyder added that Ben’s Bruce Wayne will provide “an interesting counter-balance” to Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent. Snyder added that he can’t wait to work with Affleck, confident that the actor will provide the layered portrayal that the best Batman actors were able to provide the scarred and complex comic book character.

Hollywood debut

For the first time in film history Batman and Superman will be together in one movie. These two DC Comics heroes, perhaps the most popular superheroes of all time, are often seen in comic books together, but they have never been in a movie together. The British actor Henry Cavill will reprise the role. The actors who played supporting roles to Cavill in the “Man of Steel” will be retained in the sequel. There is no working title for the project yet, but production for this historic mash-up will definitely start next year.

Why Affleck?

Needless to say, not everyone is as optimistic as Silverman and Snyder in the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman. Affleck’s Oscars, Golden Globes and other trophies, or his successful marriage to actress Jennifer Garner do not seem to matter to people who won’t forgive him for his stint as “Daredevil” in 2003. Affleck portrayed the blind Marvel superhero with generally unfavorable reviews. Affleck has never appeared in any popular Batman contenders list. Some fans even organized a petition to drop the casting choice.

However, majority do not seem to have a problem with reconciling Batman’s duality with Affleck who has proven his mettle as actor and director despite a few career foibles. The Wall Street Journal declared that Ben’s “too perfect” to play the caped crusader. Others have chosen a compromise – give Affleck the benefit of a doubt.

Photo Credit: Ben Affleck