WHAT WENT WRONG?: Ben Affleck's Batman

[Infinit01]

Having Golden Boy status gives you a lot of cache in Hollywood, even if that status is for directing. I think everyone will agree that he's a far better director than he is a an actor. But his acting has definitely improved over the years. He's no longer awful. Plus, I think he's much better when he's in something where he doesn't have to take himself too seriously - like Dogma. (but that's a discussion for another time).

Agreed, I didn't care for his acting early on and it wasn't until the last 5 years that I paid attention to any of his movies myself.

I think some people forget that there was a HUGE uproar when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman. This was pre-internet (yes kids, there was a time when the internet didn't exist) but WB received hundreds of thousands of letters complaining about the casting decision. This reaction boiled down to people not believing Keaton to be a very good dramatic actor as well as not being tall enough or having the physicality to pull of the character properly. I think we all know how that turned out.

Good actors will always be good despite a bad script. There are plenty of great actors who appear in bad movies with bad scripts, and yet they manage to give a good performance. Were there script problems with BvS? Yes. Was the script awful? No. Was Affleck awful? Opinions will always vary and differ, but personally I liked his take on both The Bat and Bruce Wayne.

Agreed. Look at Heath Ledger when he was cast as The Joker for The Dark Knight.  Lots of people was saying that he was going to be bad at the role and there were people who wanted to boycott the film.  Sadly, he never got to see how great he was in that role and it's so iconic now leaving him up there with Jack Nicholson.

[Darth Tepes]

I know the Keaton/Ledger argument always comes up but for me that are hardly comparable.  Keaton and Ledger both had relatively short careers before they were cast in their respective Batman films.  Keaton had pretty much done only comedies and Ledger was in comedies or action films as a hero.  Neither had a performance to garner any trust in fans that they could pull off Batman and the Joker.  Makes perfect sense.
    Affleck on the other hand had a much longer career leading up to his casting as Batman.  Ranging from comedies to action films to dramas...even of course playing a superhero before.  So there was enough there for people to really form an opinion on his abilities.  For many of us...he doesn't make the cut.  It just seemed like all of a sudden after his casting message boards were flooded with his praises where there had been none before.  It seemed hardcore DC fans were just so desperate for a Batman/Superman film they were willing to take whoever. 
  Just my opinions though...If DC starts putting out things as good as Aquaman they may get my business.  I just want a good Superman film.

[Darth Knox]

DT - What is your opinion of his Daredevil portrayal vs his Batman portrayal?

[scifidude79]

I think some people forget that there was a HUGE uproar when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman. This was pre-internet (yes kids, there was a time when the internet didn't exist) but WB received hundreds of thousands of letters complaining about the casting decision. This reaction boiled down to people not believing Keaton to be a very good dramatic actor as well as not being tall enough or having the physicality to pull of the character properly. I think we all know how that turned out.

On the other hand, I don't think anyone can say he doesn't have the eyebrows for it.



I mean, the dude's already got the bat scowl without even trying.

[Darth Knox]

Keaton is the only actor who legitimately made you scared when he smile while in the suit.

It just seemed like all of a sudden after his casting message boards were flooded with his praises where there had been none before.  It seemed hardcore DC fans were just so desperate for a Batman/Superman film they were willing to take whoever.  

It never seemed that way to me. In fact, from everything I read at the time there was masses of people unhappy with the casting, even after promotional shots of him in the suit were released. I think the praise came after people had actually seen the movie. That's when my opinion changed. Beforehand, as I said, I was worried about him playing Bruce Wayne (as I thought he would be good in the suit).

I just want a good Superman film.

You are going to have a long wait. Cavill is out and DC have announced plans for a Supergirl movie and a Superpets movie but no Superman. They want to explore other characters on their roster. But I suspect it's because they are struggling to come out a story that will translate well to the screen as the character is so over-powered and has no flaws.