About one week ago, Ben Affleck signed a contract to star as Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. Citing Affleck’s role in creating the monsters that are Gigli and Pearl Harbor, the internet reacted with a mix of incredulity and sheer outrage. However, the impetuously crafted rants against Affleck have been far off the mark. Little do the haters know that Affleck may be the best Batman to date.
A common fear among these online diatribes is Ben Affleck’s inability to appear as anyone other than Ben Affleck. This case would make sense five years ago, but the Affleck we see onscreen today is a beast of an entirely different nature.
Since his recent turn as a director, Affleck has matured into the promising filmmaker audiences awaited since his days as the precocious brains behind Good Will Hunting. His filmmaking prowess has been matched by a newfound subtle approach to acting. The melodramatic Pearl Harbor Affleck is out; the nuanced Argo Affleck is in. The role of Batman has already been inhabited by big-name actors who did a fine job shielding audiences from their public personas. Look no further than Michael Keaton, Tim Burton’s Batman-of-choice. He was able to master the role despite having Mr. Mom under his belt.
Unfortunately, some people may find it impossible to get over Affleck’s blemishes. He has appeared in some notoriously hated films (thanks a lot Michael Bay), but to say he’s responsible for the atrocity that is Jersey Girl is unfair. Every actor lands in some god-awful role now and then—Affleck just has an uncanny propensity for appearing in movies that become famous for being bad. While this may not be a mere coincidence, it sure required some bad luck (and some attention from Team America: World Police). If people are capable of forgiving Sir Ben Kingsley for The Love Guru, then they can surely find a soft spot in their hearts for Affleck.
So he can act. Does that make him qualified to take on the role of a superhero? He already spectacularly failed at that with Daredevil, but as I already mentioned, we live in the age of a new Ben Affleck. To search for the perfect formula for Bruce Wayne would be a futile task. Every actor approaches the role differently. Ever since the recent “dark” superhero movie phase, audiences have expected a troubled, introverted Batman, Superman, etc. Christian Bale fit the role perfectly. He is known for his immersive acting methods, and the Bruce Wayne he delivered reflected the stoic nature of this acting process.
But that Batman is no longer. Chris Nolan is out of the picture, and Zack Snyder is in. Putting two superheroes in the same movie demands chemistry between actors, and Snyder apparently sees on screen potential between Affleck and Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill. The more matured Affleck has proven his ability to convey the melancholy of Bale’s Batman. His charismatic side, showcased in Kevin Smith’s raunchy comedies, adds that bit of personality demanded by this tricky two-superhero conundrum.
The stigma against Ben Affleck had its day, and rightfully so. He’s starred in some of the worst movies of the 2000s, making him the butt of more Late Night jokes than you can count. Still, the public has a short memory. Affleck has proven his willingness to be taken seriously again, and the Academy responded by handing him a Best Picture Oscar for his pet project Argo. Mark my words: the recent salvos against Affleck will soon be diluted by the wave of accolades headed his way. These impending awards and a little “How do ya like them apples?” taunt should teach his detractors a lesson. The age of Affleck is upon us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwIyLHsk2h4