well if we learned anything from how Jason Quicks colleagues reacted to him leaving the Blazers beat, this obviously shows that we fans of movies know nothing.
As much as I like the actor who played Luther in Superman Returns (? I think thats the title), it was a horrible choice for Luther.
The problem is, those Batman movies were kind of campy, and hokey. In the same genre/style of film, Ben would probably be fine. But if they're going to go away from campy or comical movies (just compare the joker, Bain and scarecrow characters), I'm not sure Ben would fit.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/25/ben-afflecks-batman-vs-superman-schedule Ben Affleck's Batman vs. Superman Schedule Oscar winner reportedly signed for multiple movies. Better get used to the new big screen Batman Ben Affleck because it sounds like he's going to be around for awhile. "Sources say that Affleck has been signed for multiple movies, should sequels continue to proliferate. The talks were so secretive that many Warners execs and most WME agents remained unaware of their existence," claims The Hollywood Reporter. Talks with Affleck began earlier this year when director Zack Snyder checked Affleck's interest. Early talks circled around story and character. THR says Affleck will shoot David Fincher's Gone Girl this September through February before segueing to shoot Man of Steel 2/Superman vs. Batman from February through August 2014. The superhero pic will reportedly lens in Toronto. Affleck is expected to be doing pre-production work on his next directorial effort -- the Prohibition gangland film Live By Night, which he'll shoot next fall -- while simultaneously filming his Batman role. The Man of Steel sequel opens July 17, 2015.
James Franco would be a decent choice. He plays dark and brooding well. I happen to think Bale perfected The Batman, though, and Bale and Franco are on the elite level of actors. As for the Tim Burton Batman flicks, they were fun, too in their own way, but Nolan just crushed it in all three of his films. Affleck still has the frat guy feel to him, and I've enjoyed his recent movies, although Gone Baby Gone was way overhyped, IMO. I'm sure I'll see the movie, and maybe Batfleck will be great. The expectation bar is low for him right now, and Snyder must see something in him to make this move. Nolan is still part of production, I believe, for Bat v. Supe.
My son says he is rumored to play another super hero at some point, and I'm not sure what age they are going for, but Ryan Gosling might not be a horrible choice. Or if you wanted someone older, maybe Jim Caviezel
Haven't seen Franco in much of his non-comedy work, but IMO he doesn't hold a candle to Bale. I didn't hear much about him being that exceptional in 127 Hours or Milk, trying to think of any other notable non-comedy work hes done... you're right though I guess I could see him playing the posh pretty boy and brooding/dark, but I also can't really see him whooping ass either. None the less, I can't imagine anything Franco has done is as good as Bale in American Psycho, The Fighter, Harsh Times, Machinist, etc. And FYI Ben Affleck doesn't act in Gone Baby Gone. He co-wrote the screenplay and directed the movie, but his brother Casey Affleck played the lead role. Its a great movie though. Ben Affleck has proven to be a pretty good writer/director, regardless of whether you think hes any good at acting. As for who else should be playing Batman...thats a tough one. I think Tom Hardy would be a great Batman/Bruce Wayne, but he was already Bane in TDKR. Really big A list guys probably wouldn't be feasible (i.e. DiCaprio, Pitt, Damon). Ryan Gosling comes to mind as someone who might fit the role just on the eye test, but would he be any good as Wayne/Batman? I haven't seen him in any roles like that, maybe hes got it in him. EDIT: MM beat me to the Gosling suggestion.
They don't have to make Batman "gritty". It's going to be a Superman movie. It's going to be silly. Probably.
