Ben Affleck Takes The Mantle of The Bat
When I first got the press release, my first thought was, 'Seriously?!?' Ben Affleck was not what I expected as Batman character material. Although he was not new to being a masked superhero. He was Daredevil and he did good even if the movie didn't receive much attention. But I am not closing my doors to him. Below is the Warner Bros. press release.
BURBANK, CA, August 22,
2013 – Ending weeks of speculation, Ben
Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne. Affleck and
filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character
in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for
the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their
universe, which he established in “Man of Steel.” The announcement was
made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide
Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International
Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Last month’s surprise announcement
of the new movie featuring both Superman and Batman created a wave of
excitement and immediately fueled discussion and debate—among fans as well as
in the media—about who would put on the cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne’s alter
ego.
Snyder successfully re-imagined the
origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the worldwide blockbuster “Man of Steel,”
which has earned more than $650 million worldwide to date, and climbing.
The director will now create an original vision of Batman and his world for the
film that brings the two DC Comics icons together.
Affleck will star opposite Henry
Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent. The film will
also reunite “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.
In the announcement, Silverman
stated, “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’
most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill,
and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we
know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”
Snyder also expressed his excitement
about the casting of Affleck, noting, “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. I can’t wait to work with him.”
Kroll added, “We are so thrilled
that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of
Batman.
He is a tremendously gifted actor
who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of
these two beloved heroes.”
Affleck recently starred in the
Academy Award®-winning Best Picture “Argo,” which he also directed and
produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in
the film, as well as a number of directing honors. In 2010, he starred in
and directed the hit crime thriller “The Town.” His recent acting work
also includes “The Company Men,” “State of Play,” and “Hollywoodland,” for
which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Earlier in his
career, Affleck starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) “Good Will Hunting,”
for which he won an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay.
The new Super Hero film is being
scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder.
Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael
E. Uslan and Wesley Coller serving as executive producers. Production is
expected to begin in 2014.
The film is based on Superman
characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters
created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment.
Comments
Post a Comment