Stop Whining about Ben Affleck Playing Batman, He is Perfect for the Part

Friday was my day off, so I wasn’t in the Geekosystem offices to yell at Victoria McNally about how wrong she is to hate Ben Affleck being cast as Batman. I believe in Ben Affleck, but more importantly, movies don’t get cast by Internet opinion. Batfleck is happening, so you might as well get on board. Here’s a moving speech to convince you.

I believe in Ben Affleck, and not in a misplaced affection puppy dog way, although I’m sure that’s what you’ll call it. I believe in Ben Affleck. Very simply. Very truly. Affleck is the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in an actor to play Batman. I know you just think of Affleck as that guy from Gigli, and casting him as Batman is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider, but I had to say it.

I just can’t take this anymore. I can’t watch Daredevil and not see Affleck as a believable hero. I can’t look into his eyes without wanting to see them peering through a cowl. I can’t cover the news that Affleck is playing Batman without expressing my love for everything that decision is.

I know this could “geek” our relationship — no pun intended —  but I had to say it, because I’ve never felt this way about casting news, and I don’t care. I like who I am because of it, and if bringing this to light means that you’ll think I’m less of a geek because I really want Affleck to play Batman, then that hurts me. I just couldn’t allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which judging by readers’ reactions to things I’ve written in the past will be the inevitable angry comment thread. And I’ll accept that.

But I know — I know that some part of you thinks Affleck can pull this off, and if there is a moment of hesitation before you post an angry comment or sign that dumb petition, then that means that you feel something too. All I ask, please, is that you just not dismiss that. Try to dwell in it for just ten seconds.

Internet, there isn’t another soul on the planet who could play half the Batman that Affleck can, and I’ll risk Man of Steel 2 for the chance to take the DC film universe to the next plateau, because it is there between Affleck and Batman. You can’t deny that chin.

Even if you never want to read another thing I write about Batman, please know that Man of Steel 2 is forever changed because of who Affleck is, and that the casting of Affleck as Batman is happening whether you hate the idea or not. Which, while no one appreciates it, I’d never need a dumb Internet petition to remind me that you hate it.

If you haven’t figured it out, this is Affleck’s speech from Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, but with Batman stuff. See:

Smith hasn’t commented about Affleck being cast as Batman that I know of, but considering the number of times they’ve worked together, and how often Smith has said Affleck could play the shark in Jaws if given the opportunity, I think it’s a safe bet he’s pretty happy with the news.

You know who else believes in Ben Affleck? Joss Whedon:

Affleck’ll crush it. He’s got the chops, he’s got the chin — just needs the material. Affleck & Cavill toe to toe — I’m in.

— Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) August 24, 2013

Please, tell me again how much more you know than Joss Whedon about superhero films.

(via The Hollywood Reporter, image via Medill DC)

Meanwhile in related links

• Geekosystem is far from a unified front on Batfleck
• Though we all seem to agree that this petition to get Warner Bros. to fire him is stupid
• I should have asked Kevin Smith about who he thinks should be Batman