Stephen Schleicher began his career writing for the Digital Media Online community of sites, including Digital Producer and Creative Mac covering all aspects of the digital content creation industry. He then moved on to consumer technology, and began the Coolness Roundup podcast. A writing fool, Stephen has freelanced for Sci-Fi Channel's Technology Blog, and Gizmodo. Still longing for the good ol' days, Stephen launched Major Spoilers in July 2006, because he is a glutton for punishment.
You can follow him on Twitter @MajorSpoilers and tell him your darkest secrets...
I keep hearing everything is better with Batman. Time will tell if Ben is better with Batman or if Ben is a special case that makes the formula work in reverse.
Why not? People said Michael Keaton would bring about a Heaven’s Gate for Warner Brothers and he ended up being one of the best Batmen. I’ll give it a shot
Wow. As I write this, it’s 80% yes. That’s a big surprise, considering the outpouring of rage we’ve all seen over this.
I voted no. At first, I didn’t think he was capable of playing the role, period. As I’ve had a few days to digest the news, I realize that he may be— he’s put in some damn fine performances lately. The problem I really have is threefold.
1. I don’t trust him to play the character well (not that he can’t, but that he won’t)
2. He’s too recognizable. He’ll be Batfleck. I would much prefer an unknown to inhabit such an iconic role.
3. This stinks of stuntcasting, which causes me to distrust the filmmakers. How likely are they to honor the characters, the setting, when they pull a move like this? Most filmmakers are concerned with getting butts in seats; are these the type that are too concerned with that for their movie’s own good?
Know why the vote here is 80% yes? It’s because this is a community of people that can understand the casting of Affleck isn’t as bad as most of the internet and media community has made it out to be.
The main people who are outraged by Affleck being Batman are the ones who only watch the Batman films and don’t read the comics / watch the animated films or read the novels on him. The people who can actually look at it from a positive point of view are the ones who appreciate Batman in all forms of media and can understand that Affleck is actually a pretty decent choice.
I voted yes. And the reason is this: Affleck has been GOOD for years, since 2006’s Hollywoodland. This isn’t Forces Of Nature/Reindeer Games Ben Affleck. This is post-Argo Ben Affleck. Admittedly, most of the recent praise is for his direction, but his performances have been good too. The Town, State Of Play, and the two I mentioned already. He has definitely improved as an actor, as a film-maker. THIS Ben Affleck is an intriguing choice. But we’ll have to wait and see (And HE wasn’t bad in Daredevil, the Director’s Cut of which is quite a good movie)
Give the man a good script to work with and he will knock it out of the park. I am definitely in the minority but I enjoyed him in Daredevil, the theatrical version. I’m going to watch the Director’s Cut tonight since Stephen continues to praise it.
I look forward to him in this role – I think he’s going to knock it out of the park.
It’s not an instant yes from me, but a yes with I’ll “wait and see”.
He’s been really improving and has been a great actor, especially when he’s given some freedom. Hopefully WB will give him a chance to shine, and not force the part.
I voted “no”. Mostly because it smack of stunt casting. I had flashbacks of Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney Batmen all over again. And no, I have not been breathing the Bat Gas. I wish I could have voted half and half, though. I think Affleck would be excellent in the role of playboy Bruce Wayne, but I just can’t see him swinging through the air in a Batsuit. I was not impressed by his acting in Daredevil.
I’m okay with him playing Batman. He’s not my first choice, but I’m okay with it and I’d like to see what he comes up with. I’m more leery about David Goyer writing this movie solo. He’s good on a team of writers (like the Nolans) but I’ve lately found his solo work lacking. So as Andreas said, the script is more important.
He’s an actor who was on top, and then hit the bottom. But now is back an Oscar winner.
He’s a good choice to bring a veteran grizzled pathos to Batman.
My first reaction was “You gotta be kidding me.” But after seeing how much hate the poor guy was getting all over the internet, I kinda felt bad for the guy. Not a big fan but I’m willing to give him a chance. Pretty sure he’ll do ok. Voted yes.
I’m okay with Affleck as Batman, he’s proven he’s got the acting chops. My only real concern is that he’ll be a bit long in the tooth come the eventual Justice League movie. Seeing as how he’s 41 now, he’s 11 years OLDER then Cavill….that could end up being significant.
There is no vote. I haven’t seen him play it yet. If it’s awful and he stunk up the joint then I guess the answer would be no. If it’s great and he’s awesome then the answer is yes.
This is the main issue with the community. There is no finished product to say wether he’ll do well or do poorly. So for right now just wait and see.
17 Comments
I keep hearing everything is better with Batman. Time will tell if Ben is better with Batman or if Ben is a special case that makes the formula work in reverse.
Why not? People said Michael Keaton would bring about a Heaven’s Gate for Warner Brothers and he ended up being one of the best Batmen. I’ll give it a shot
Wow. As I write this, it’s 80% yes. That’s a big surprise, considering the outpouring of rage we’ve all seen over this.
I voted no. At first, I didn’t think he was capable of playing the role, period. As I’ve had a few days to digest the news, I realize that he may be— he’s put in some damn fine performances lately. The problem I really have is threefold.
1. I don’t trust him to play the character well (not that he can’t, but that he won’t)
2. He’s too recognizable. He’ll be Batfleck. I would much prefer an unknown to inhabit such an iconic role.
3. This stinks of stuntcasting, which causes me to distrust the filmmakers. How likely are they to honor the characters, the setting, when they pull a move like this? Most filmmakers are concerned with getting butts in seats; are these the type that are too concerned with that for their movie’s own good?
Know why the vote here is 80% yes? It’s because this is a community of people that can understand the casting of Affleck isn’t as bad as most of the internet and media community has made it out to be.
The main people who are outraged by Affleck being Batman are the ones who only watch the Batman films and don’t read the comics / watch the animated films or read the novels on him. The people who can actually look at it from a positive point of view are the ones who appreciate Batman in all forms of media and can understand that Affleck is actually a pretty decent choice.
I voted yes. And the reason is this: Affleck has been GOOD for years, since 2006’s Hollywoodland. This isn’t Forces Of Nature/Reindeer Games Ben Affleck. This is post-Argo Ben Affleck. Admittedly, most of the recent praise is for his direction, but his performances have been good too. The Town, State Of Play, and the two I mentioned already. He has definitely improved as an actor, as a film-maker. THIS Ben Affleck is an intriguing choice. But we’ll have to wait and see (And HE wasn’t bad in Daredevil, the Director’s Cut of which is quite a good movie)
Give the man a good script to work with and he will knock it out of the park. I am definitely in the minority but I enjoyed him in Daredevil, the theatrical version. I’m going to watch the Director’s Cut tonight since Stephen continues to praise it.
I look forward to him in this role – I think he’s going to knock it out of the park.
It’s not an instant yes from me, but a yes with I’ll “wait and see”.
He’s been really improving and has been a great actor, especially when he’s given some freedom. Hopefully WB will give him a chance to shine, and not force the part.
I voted Yes.
But reading the comics and thinking about things, the real shame of it all is the I just realized Affleck would have made a perfect Doctor Strange.
I voted “no”. Mostly because it smack of stunt casting. I had flashbacks of Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney Batmen all over again. And no, I have not been breathing the Bat Gas. I wish I could have voted half and half, though. I think Affleck would be excellent in the role of playboy Bruce Wayne, but I just can’t see him swinging through the air in a Batsuit. I was not impressed by his acting in Daredevil.
The script is much more importent than whoever is playing Batman.
I voted yes. Give the man a chance!
I’m okay with him playing Batman. He’s not my first choice, but I’m okay with it and I’d like to see what he comes up with. I’m more leery about David Goyer writing this movie solo. He’s good on a team of writers (like the Nolans) but I’ve lately found his solo work lacking. So as Andreas said, the script is more important.
He’s an actor who was on top, and then hit the bottom. But now is back an Oscar winner.
He’s a good choice to bring a veteran grizzled pathos to Batman.
My first reaction was “You gotta be kidding me.” But after seeing how much hate the poor guy was getting all over the internet, I kinda felt bad for the guy. Not a big fan but I’m willing to give him a chance. Pretty sure he’ll do ok. Voted yes.
I’m okay with Affleck as Batman, he’s proven he’s got the acting chops. My only real concern is that he’ll be a bit long in the tooth come the eventual Justice League movie. Seeing as how he’s 41 now, he’s 11 years OLDER then Cavill….that could end up being significant.
If this movie sucks, it won’t be Ben Affleck’s fault, that’s all I’m saying.
There is no vote. I haven’t seen him play it yet. If it’s awful and he stunk up the joint then I guess the answer would be no. If it’s great and he’s awesome then the answer is yes.
This is the main issue with the community. There is no finished product to say wether he’ll do well or do poorly. So for right now just wait and see.