The Dark Knight or the Dark Disappointment

Affleck criticized for new role as Batman

Ben+Affleck+backstage+at+the+85th+annual+Academy+Awards+at+the+Dolby+Theatre+at+Hollywood+%26amp%3B+Highland+Center+in+Los+Angeles%2C+Calif.%2C+Sunday%2C+Feb.+24%2C+2013.

Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Ben Affleck backstage at the 85th annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.

Story by Amanda Hackleman, viewpoint editor

Villains beware, The Batman is returning to take on the big screen again in Superman v. Batman.

That’s right. The new Batman movie will be hitting theaters in 2015 starring the one and only Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight himself. The announcement of his role has received mixed reviews at best. The studio claims they chose him because of his superior acting skills from his more popular movies, and the talents he could bring. If Twitter is anything to go by, the fans of the franchise are not as convinced.

Since the first comics were released, Batman has obtained a fairly large number of loyal fans. However, its real popularity really took off with the movie remakes later on. With over fifteen movies that have been released since 1943, the fan base has reached almost immeasurable numbers. Most people have seen at least one Batman movie in their lifetimes. And mostly everyone has heard of the dark superhero/vigilante.

The fans have already formed their opinion on what Batman’s image should be, and many say Affleck just doesn’t fit the bill. He doesn’t appear to have the dark, brooding look that is attributed with Bruce Wayne and his crime fighting counterpart. This only is enough to turn some hardcore fans against the actor.

Many are saying how they believe Affleck appears to be a random choice. He’s never been associated with the Batman films before and that’s enough to make the fans wary to accept him. There is great uncertainty if a man that’s never been Batman before can really shoulder the role and make it great.

These doubts make people wonder why he was really chosen. That train of thought leads straight to Argo. The movie he directed last year took the Academy Award for Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes. People praised this movie as well made, with great acting. This may have had a major effect on why he was chosen for the role.
Whatever anyone thinks, Affleck will star in Superman v. Batman. The studio has already cast their dice. The only way to tell if it’s a good throw or not is to see the movie when it arrives in our local box office.