Matt Reeves’ The Batman was initially to be directed by Ben Affleck and observe his model of the character as he goes toe to toe with Deathstroke. However, he dropped The Batman mission due to many causes and handed it over to Matt Reeves, who himself said that the Ben Affleck film script was James Bond-ian. It is probably going that Ben Affleck will hold as much as cowl for good after his cameo look in The Flash, even when Ezra Miller has followers considering in any other case.
Affleck’s casting brought on a rift within the fandom virtually instantly, and when Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice got here out in 2016, this rift solely grew stronger. Ben Affleck’s take has loads of supporters but additionally an equal quantity of critics, with the largest grievance being how violent his Batman can get.
Updated, September 12, 2023: In honor of Batman Day developing, this text has been up to date with extra data on what makes Affleck’s Batman so nice.
Batman is without doubt one of the most beloved characters in all fiction. The good thing is there may be numerous completely different interpretations of him as a result of he may be interpreted in so some ways; with so many alternative comedian books and authors to attract from, Batman is mainly a fluid archetype. While there isn’t any one proper technique to do Batman, Affleck’s Batman presents a novel interpretation. In comparability to the opposite Batman actors, the Ben Affleck motion pictures’ very darkish and bleak portrayal is definitely very correct to the Frank Miller-era Dark Knight, and perhaps the very best instance of this model coming to life. For all of the faults of the DCEU, here’s what Affleck’s Batman acquired proper.
Fear Warps His Mind
Warner Bros Pictures
More than every other Batman, Affleck’s Batman may be probably the most psychologically tormented. Even after being against the law fighter for years, he nonetheless struggles with nightmares he can’t shake. While Batman Forever and Batman Begins present Bruce Wayne affected by nightmares, Affleck’s Batman is as managed by worry as he’s, utilizing it as a weapon towards his criminals.
Bruce sees firsthand the destruction of Metropolis after Superman’s struggle with Zod. His worry of Suerman drives him to mistrust him, very very like how Batman has a plan to take down each member of the Justice League. Other Batman movies haven’t needed to function in a world of superheroes, so Affleck, being a mortal man in a world filled with gods, responds to this with worry and paranoia. This won’t be completely heroic, however it suits Batman into the anti-hero standing followers love.
It is far simpler to say that Batman has all the time been a hero who would not let the darkness overtake him, however the way in which this model challenges followers is by displaying them that the darkness has been the case all alongside.
To Kill Or Not To Kill
Warner Bros.
Perhaps the largest controversy is Ben Affleck’s Batman’s willingness to kill. Batman’s no-kill rule is a serious a part of some interpretations of Batman. Again, some. While different variations of the character have taken lives, notably Michael Keaton’s Batman and Christian Bale’s inflicting oblique dying with out blinking a watch with the “I’m not going to kill you, however I haven’t got to save lots of you.” loophole, there’s something troubling about the way in which Affleck’s Batman kills with out regret.
There is a dramatic level to Affleck’s Batman being such a violent killer; it’s supposed to point out how laborious he has fallen from the best picture of Batman. Yet the largest difficulty is that he continues to kill all through the film even after he has his second of readability. This is a really darkish and lethal Batman. It looks like he’s nothing greater than a straight menace, proper? Well, this will depend on how followers understand his arc.
Batwings Of Redemption
Bruce Wayne has given up on humanity. Only after seeing this god-like Superman, who he as soon as noticed as a menace, sacrifice himself with no second thought does he notice the error of his methods. When he’s proven in Justice League, he has one thing the Batman v. Superman model did not have: hope. For the primary time, arguably since his dad and mom died, Bruce Wayne would not see the world by a darkish lens. He sees the great, and he realizes that it is what he needs to guard.
Related: Best Batman Movies, Ranked
Does this redemption excuse the way in which he acted earlier than? This is the place the problem is available in. Fans aren’t flawed in saying this model of Batman is way too darkish as a result of he’s imagined to be. Fans ought to ask if he’s really a hero or a menace who deserves to be locked away in Arkham. The film lays out all of the items, and followers can piece them collectively as they see match. Every different model of Batman is proven to be a straight hero. He could also be slightly darkish at occasions, however he’s primarily man.
General Appearance And Ski Glasses goggleslls
Warner Bros.
On an aesthetic degree, Affleck’s model of the Caped Crusader is the closest to the comics. His cloth-looking outfit is the closest to capturing the look of the character’s comedian e book outfit since most movie variations have opted for a black armored look. Affleck’s swimsuit, each at the start and finish of Batman v. Superman, is lifted straight from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns.
However, extra than simply appears, Ben’s Dark Knight lived as much as his extremely Ski Glasses goggleslled fighter status by simply taking down criminals and being the primary feared determine in Gotham. This model’s combating fashion is in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was virtually a precise recreation of his combating fashion within the common Arkham video games. Meanwhile, The Flash showcased a extra aerobatic Batman, one which was making strikes straight out of the comedian books that the majority movie variations have stayed away from.
An Amazing Team Player
Warner Bros. Pictures
One main however ignored character side of Batman is the truth that he’s a crew participant. While the unique Tim Burton motion pictures and Christopher Nolan’s keep away from Batman’s sidekicks, not solely does Affleck’s Batman supposedly have a historical past of sidekicks, however that performs out in his relationship and dealing dynamic together with his fellow heroes. He would possibly begin Batman v. Superman as a lone warrior, however his arc is about discovering a technique to open himself as much as others, just like his comedian e book counterpart who not solely has a whole supporting forged of crime fighters referred to as the Bat-Family however numerous friendships with different DC heroes.
Related: Ben Affleck’s Canceled Batman Movie: Everything We Know
Nowhere is that this extra obvious than in his two greatest DCEU relationships: Wonder Woman and The Flash. With Wonder Woman, there’s a flirtatious dynamic between Wonder Woman and Bruce Wayne. Not solely is that this holding with the DC Animated Universe, however it implies that Bruce Wayne can perhaps be in a contented relationship.
Meanwhile, audiences see Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne have a mentor relationship with The Flash. This is a Bruce Wayne who has taught a Robin, so it is sensible for him to step into the position of a mentor and father determine for somebody like Barry Allen, who has additionally had their household taken away from him. Bruce Wayne as a mentor and father determine is a component the movies have ignored, and one viewers will see extra within the upcoming DCU movie, The Brave and the Bold.
First seem at Explained: How the Ben Affleck Movies Got Batman Right
