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Ben Affleck is the new Batman, to be featured with Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, one of the most anticipated films of 2016.
My first impression: a mediocre hire. After sitting with this for a while, I’m warming to the idea. Cavill was acceptable as Superman, his personality and range hindered by the bleak and serious tone of Man of Steel. But he is still a relative unknown in terms of his star power. Affleck is clearly a more established actor, able to portray an already seasoned older version of the dark knight.
Not an easy decision by the studio. Going too unknown may not have given the film, and this role in particular, the weight they are seeking. But going too high up into the star arena may have run the risk of the film actually losing a bit of credibility.
Affleck is a safe bet all-around. He is recognizable and established enough, with an undeniable star quality, but he isn’t Tom Cruise, and he isn’t even a Mark Wahlberg. His age is right, he has the jaw line, and clearly he is bulking up to the required physicality to truly look the part.
Most importantly, Affleck’s personal journey in Hollywood has weathered and humbled him. Much in the way Robert Downey, Jr. was able to conquer the demons of his past to headline the Marvel franchise as Iron Man, Affleck has a similar opportunity here with Batman. His recent directorial efforts and exploration of more character-driven pieces as of late has rightfully re-established his credibility in Hollywood. Affleck is an excellent actor, and an excellent filmmaker, but it took him years to get back to this point.
My hope is that he will channel this journey as an inspiration for his take on the character, finding Batman’s anger and rage in all the right places, while at the same time instilling a heroic morality and a wisdom, which will give Cavill an interesting dynamic to play off of. Much like Benedict Cumberbatch elevated Chris Pine’s performance as Captain Kirk in Star Trek Into Darkness, I expect Affleck will inspire Cavill to show us more of the depth and dimension to his personality than we saw in Man of Steel.
Our concern over this next film, really, should not be over how well Affleck will do, but with how well director Zach Snyder can sculpt a truly credible and wonderful film after his very polarizing first outing with Man of Steel. That film has its fans, and its enemies.
No matter what, Affleck as Batman is an interesting and fresh choice, so much so that even the naysayers will be compelled to see this next outing, at the very least out of sheer curiosity. From that standpoint, the studio has already won with their decision.
I wonder if there’s more to this budding franchise than meets the eye.