And the new Batman is......

[Dartzap]

Bit of a blindsider *cough*

Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman in a forthcoming Superman sequel, bringing together the two superheroes in one film for the first time.
The 41-year-old will star opposite British actor Henry Cavill, who will reprise his role as Superman from the most recent film, Man of Steel.

Director Zack Snyder revealed the big screen superhero mash-up at a comic convention in San Diego last month.
Production is expected to begin next year for release in the summer of 2015.

"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," Warner Bros President Greg Silverman said in a statement.

Mr Snyder, who also directed Man of Steel, said in a statement that Mr Affleck will provide an "interesting counter-balance" to 31-year old Cavill's Clark Kent.

"(Affleck) 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," said Snyder. "I can't wait to work with him."

The sequel - which has yet to be given a title - will reunite Man of Steel stars Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White) and Diane Lane (Martha Kent).
Christian Bale most recently played Batman in director Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.

Michael Keaton and George Clooney have also donned the black mask and cape in previous Batman films.

Ben Affleck's film Argo, which he starred in and directed, won an Academy Award for best picture earlier this year.

The superhero genre is not new to Mr Affleck, who previously starred as the blind hero in the 2003 Daredevil film based on the Marvel Comics.

Batman and Superman are part of DC Comics universe, which is part of the Warner Bros Entertainment division.

Revenues from the latest films featuring Superman and Batman have exceeded $1bn (£655m) in recent years.

[Gandalf]

I'm confident that he can do a decent job.

Seeing the angry social media outbursts reminds me of when Heath Ledger was announced as the Joker. It's not like Affleck can't act or something.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Affleck can't act though. This is why he's far better respected as a director or producer. He's always wooden as hell and unengaging. But I'm kinda not fussed about this sequel, so I'm not going to go ape over it.

[Crown]

Nerdageddon in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

[Spekio]

I was hoping they were going with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But other than that, I don't really care much.

On Affleck, while I liked his first two directing efforts, Argo left a bad taste, since it made a the CIA agent the hero, spitting in the face of the true heros ( i.e. the canadian ambassador) and the other countries embassies, because "FUCK YEAH 'MERICA!".

EDIT:

Saw this, had to share.

[FSTargetDrone]

Affleck can't act though. This is why he's far better respected as a director or producer. He's always wooden as hell and unengaging. But I'm kinda not fussed about this sequel, so I'm not going to go ape over it.

He also said that playing Daredevil was a "humiliation" for him.

[Havok]

Affleck was the BOMB in Phantoms yo! *HIGH FIVE*

[Batman]

If 'Man of Steel' is any indication I don't really care much one way or the other about this movie, but I don't feel Affleck will inevitably be a bad Batman. I liked him well enough in 'Daredevil', who is an at least superficially similar character.

[Enigma]

Seems that Bryan Cranston has signed a six picture deal to play as Lex Luthor. Rumor only but it seems that it'll be confirmed once Breaking Bad ends.

[The Romulan Republic]

Cranston's a good actor, but it's strange to think of the guy who played the goofy dad on Malcolm in the Middle playing one of the greatest super villains in history.

Edit: a six film deal? They must have high hopes about the success of the films.

[Gandalf]

Cranston's a good actor, but it's strange to think of the guy who played the goofy dad on Malcolm in the Middle playing one of the greatest super villains in history.

Have you seen Breaking Bad? Actors are capable of playing multiple types of roles.

Affleck was the BOMB in Phantoms yo! *HIGH FIVE*

Phantoms like a motherfucker! *high five*

[The Romulan Republic]

I'm not saying Cranston can't play Luthor. I'm looking forward to it. But it still seems strange.

I haven't seen much of Breaking Bad. It doesn't seem like my kind of show.

[Lord Relvenous]

I'm not saying Cranston can't play Luthor. I'm looking forward to it. But it still seems strange.

I haven't seen much of Breaking Bad. It doesn't seem like my kind of show.

Then you don't realize how well Cranston can play a villain.

[Enigma]

Just about confirmed that Cranston will be Luthor.

The six picture deal might end up being ten. Yowza!

[fgalkin]

Man, I do so love studio delusions of grandeur.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Gandalf]

Man, I do so love studio delusions of grandeur.

Maybe the stinger at the end of these films will be Luthor gathering the defeated villains to be part of the Legion of Doom?

[Havok]

Man, I do so love studio delusions of grandeur.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

One thing that WB/DC can do is Superman and Batman. It isn't any kind of stretch to think they can get 6 movies out of them.

[Majin Gojira]

They proved they can do Batman. Superman's last two films were rather dour all things considered and could have done a lot better.

I still remember what happened with the first Batman film series. They managed a decent 4, but 5 killed the franchise for about a decade.

[Justice]

Man, I do so love studio delusions of grandeur.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

One thing that WB/DC can do is Superman and Batman. It isn't any kind of stretch to think they can get 6 movies out of them.

From what I understand, it's not full films, but appearances. For example, Affleck will appear in 13 films, meaning he's going to be going around into a lot of other films in secondary roles or cameos. Seems the same with Luthor.

[Lord Revan]

They proved they can do Batman. Superman's last two films were rather dour all things considered and could have done a lot better.

I still remember what happened with the first Batman film series. They managed a decent 4, but 5 killed the franchise for about a decade.

5? I thought there was only 4 "Batman", "Batman Returns", "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin", unless you mean a movie series based on the Adam West TV-series.

[Majin Gojira]

They proved they can do Batman. Superman's last two films were rather dour all things considered and could have done a lot better.

I still remember what happened with the first Batman film series. They managed a decent 4, but 5 killed the franchise for about a decade.

5? I thought there was only 4 "Batman", "Batman Returns", "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin", unless you mean a movie series based on the Adam West TV-series.

Nah, you're right. I got the number wrong.

[Iroscato]

I'm cautiously optimistic, I've only ever really seen Affleck in Daredevil, but considering that was 10 years ago, we can all stand to move on from...that. As for how secure the DC movies are, Man of Steel has made in the region of $650 million, plus from what I heard, many tens of millions more from licensing and advertising. Obviously that doesn't mean every DC film in the future will hit those figures, but I think it bodes well for the future.

[Batman]

You a stockholder or something?
I don't care how much money the movie makes, I care about enjoying the movie, and for the live-action post-Reeve era, where Clark is concerned, they're zero for two. Superman Returns was 'meh' at best and that was with it using the Williams theme. 'Man of Steel' was an abomination unto Nuggan.

[Enigma]

You a stockholder or something?
I don't care how much money the movie makes, I care about enjoying the movie, and for the live-action post-Reeve era, where Clark is concerned, they're zero for two. Superman Returns was 'meh' at best and that was with it using the Williams theme. 'Man of Steel' was an abomination unto Nuggan.

Though I love Reeves' take on Superman, the last two of his Superman movies sucked donkey balls. Superman 3 blew chunks other than the witty "evil" Supes part. Quest for Peace was pure unadulterated crap. No redeeming feature. Hell, Superman Returns was batter than 3 & 4.

Superman movies have been a hit or miss even with Reeves.

[Grumman]

Superman Returns was 'meh' at best and that was with it using the Williams theme.

The chaingun scene was good. There were a number of scenes like it in the movie, but that was the only one that really worked for me.