FUN STUFF: Why there’s a silver lining to Ben Affleck being cast as Batman

Maybe there’s more to Ben Affleck as Batman than we like to admit

The internet is in an uproar over the news that Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman in the upcoming sequel to Man of Steel. To say the choice is out of left field would be an understatement to most critics, bloggers, and pretty much anyone who isn’t part of the Warner Bros. family. Unfortunately for Mr. Affleck, being cast to fill the cape, cowl, and utility belt seems to quickly and effortlessly be pushing the man’s recent accolades behind the camera under the rug.

That said, there are a couple promising silver linings to Ben Affleck being cast as Batman. For one, it’s most likely a calculated move on Warner Bros. part to solidify Affleck as a director for one of the future DC films, and that’s an appealing idea to entertain. Read more about why Ben Affleck cast as Batman isn’t as terrible as knee-jerk reactions are saying it is after the jump.

With the success seen by The Avengers, feet have been shuffling frantically to find a force capable of powering the DC equivalent, a Justice League movie. Unfortunately, the DC team hasn’t been building up their franchise as carefully or with as much care as Marvel, and in order to do so they’re going to need some substantial players both in front of and behind the camera. Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel seems to be DC’s first conscious step toward a combined universe, and Henry Cavill as Superman will be the first outside of Christian Bale’s Batman to carry more than one live action film. With the foundation being set, DC and Warner Bros. are surely looking to secure a strong director for upcoming film projects, and by casting Ben Affleck as the next Batman they’re welcoming him into the family with open arms.

Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Justice League, and so much more. Many properties have been rumored to be in the film pipeline for a while now, and Affleck would bring a welcome eye and mature edge if put behind the camera of any project. The long con would be for Warner Bros. and Affleck to take the backlash for the Batman casting, turn in a decent Batman vs. Superman movie, and then surprise us all with an amazing adaptation a few years down the road.

Another silver lining that a lot of people seem to be either ignoring or not recognizing is the fact that Ben Affleck won’t be the only person on screen. Henry Cavill will return as Superman, and many are speculating/demanding that Lex Luthor will play his part in rebuilding Metropolis after the events of Man of Steel. Say what you will about Snyder’s Superman adaptation, but Cavill turned in a strong performance and will most likely continue to do so. As for Lex Luthor, any number of capable actors are available to sport the bald head and bring a necessary gravitas to the table, and today Cosmic Book News is reporting Bryan Cranston has been cast to do just that for at least six different appearances throughout DC’s upcoming films. The news is rumored to be made official after tomorrow’s episode of Breaking Bad.

Plus, opening up the DC universe means other key players in Batman’s world will most likely be recast with familiar faces. That means a new Alfred, a new Robin, and all kinds of new villain and hero tie-ins. The same article from Cosmic Book News says Matt Damon is being eyed to play Aquaman or Martian Manhunter, and Mark Strong may return as Sinestro sometime down the road. Granted, this is all rumor and speculation as of today, and it’s never wise to buy into such things until someone with some weight confirms the details.

When paired with other impressive actors Ben Affleck is quite tolerable on screen. While he may not necessarily show it in front of the camera, he’s been around enough talent to know the ins and outs of comedy, action, drama, romantic comedy, political thrillers, and pretty much everything in between.

As Zack Snyder said of Affleck’s casting:

Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman.  He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne.

The same thing could be said when considering Affleck’s involvement in the DC universe, and having him on board has more pros than cons when it comes to the big picture. It’s not going to be The Ben Affleck Show when the new film hits theaters in 2015, and that’s important to keep that in mind. Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Amy Adams have all been confirmed to reprise their roles from the first film, and we can be sure Affleck’s won’t be the last high-profile name to join the cast before all is said and done. Look at what Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner added to Man of Steel by simply being there as side characters.

It’s essentially the Wild West for superhero movies. Enjoy it instead of thinking the world’s going to end every time a new face puts on a familiar mask, picks up an iconic weapon, or straps on a just-worn utility belt!