#Batfleck is now a trending hashtag on Twitter. The internet is going batshit over Warner Bros.’ announcement that Ben Affleck will play Batman in the second “Man of Steel” movie with Henry Cavill as Superman. For some reason, the fact that Affleck has directed three fantastic movies in a row– “Gone Baby Gone,” “The Town,” and “Argo”– has completely escaped the reasoning. Also, Affleck won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director for “Argo.” Hello?
All of that has been forgotten. Fanboys are focused on Affleck’s past failures, like “Daredevil” and “Gigli.” Ridiculous? Yes. But Warner Bros.’ contempt for the press, and their curious way of handling announcements, got them into this bind. Who announces such an important thing without a build up? And late in the evening, New York times, when only bloggers can control the news? Warner Bros. deserves what it gets for botching their own announcement. They had no advocates, only naysayers.
The result is an online petition to stop Affleck, and Twitter aflame with people making jokes– even Richard Dreyfuss and Albert Brooks.
You’re still pissed about Gigli? RT @richarddreyfuss:You read for a part, you feel good about it, then they cast Ben Affleck.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) August 23, 2013
I think Ben will make a great Batman. With Robin Williams as Alfred, Matt Damon as Robin, Jennifer Lopez as Catwoman, and Casey Affleck as the Riddler.
