14 DAY TRIAL // Considering that one of the biggest gripes had about Ben Affleck being cast as Batman in Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” sequel, tentatively called “Batman vs. Superman,” was his involvement in “Daredevil,” it will probably come as relief to know that this movie is actually his biggest regret ever.
That’s right, if you’re one of those fans who don’t want to see Affleck as Batman because he already ruined Daredevil, know that no one is more embarrassed for that movie than Ben himself.
The actor sat down for an interview with Playboy (transcribed by Latino Review), in which he talked about his reasons for accepting Snyder’s offer (apparently, he was sure he wasn’t right for the part and he wanted to “beg his way off it”), how his Batman would be different and, of course, Daredevil.
First things first though: Affleck is making sure all comparisons to Chris Nolan and his “Dark Knight” trilogy and Christian Bale, the actor who played Batman in it, are killed in the bud.
“The new Batman is to redefine him in a way that doesn’t compete with the Bale and Chris Nolan Batman but still exists within the Batman canon. It will be an older and wiser version, particularly as he relates to Henry Cavill‘s Superman character,” Affleck says.
“It was a unique take on Batman that was still consistent with the mythology. It made me excited. All of a sudden I had a reading of the character. When people see it, it will make more sense than it does now or even than it did to me initially,” he explains on his reaction upon reading the script.
As expected, Affleck doesn’t go into details but, then again, fans would probably hate him even more if he did. Speaking of hate, Ben understands where all that’s coming from, even though he also knows it’s a bit misguided.
“I understand I’m at a disadvantage with the internet. If I thought the result would be another Daredevil, I’d be out there picketing myself. [laughs] Why would I make the movie if I didn’t think it was going to be good and that I can be good in it?” he says.
“The only movie I actually regret is Daredevil. It just kills me. I love that story, that character, and the fact that it got [expletive] up the way it did stays with me. Maybe that’s part of the motivation to do Batman,” Affleck muses.
After keeping mum as the backlash started after the casting choice was made official, practically waiting for the madness to die down, Affleck is playing this very well by admitting to the obvious and making sure people understand that he’s not even thinking of “replacing” Bale. Well played, sir, well played.
“Batman vs. Superman” will be out in the summer of 2015.