The recent announcement that Ben Affleck has signed on to be the next Batman in Zack Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman has created a stir in Hollywood. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I have no problem with Ben. Sure, his acting chops aren’t the biggest in town, but since when has The Caped Crusader demanded a stellar performance? Never. Not to take a dump all over Christian Bale’s performance in the latest trilogy; he did well, but wasn’t challenged. Because essentially, Batman is just a chin in a suit. He has his body covered from head-to-toe in black spandex, rides around in The Batmobile (hands down the coolest car on the entire planet), and trash-talks fools in a gruff voice. That doesn’t sound like a challenge to me. At least, not for an Academy-award winner like Christian Bale.
When you cast Batman, you cast for Bruce Wayne. Ben Affleck has proven his abilities as a leading man in a dramatic role with last year’s Argo (2012). Ben’s role in freeing those Canadian diplomats from Iran was, in my opinion, more challenging than portraying the president of the Billionaire Boys Club (shout out to Pharrell Williams). The basic Bruce Wayne acting kit includes being able to: flirt with sexy women, throw (or attend) lavish parties, find time to cry in the corner about being an orphan, and look good in a suit while the whole time. Shit. Batman is a two-dimensional character; with one component being extremely one-dimensional. That leaves plenty of time for Ben to focus on his acting choices for Mr. Wayne. Basically, what I’m trying to say is: everybody chill out. Ben Affleck will do fine as Bruce Wayne. Let’s trust him on this one, and thank the comic-book gods for not casting Jason Statham.
