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Update: August 23, 2013
Behind-the-Scenes on How Ben Affleck Got the Role of BATMAN
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the process began earlier this year, after director Zack Snyder had finished working on Man of Steel with producer Christopher Nolan. Snyder and the studio already had ideas for a follow-up, and Snyder reached out to Affleck to check the star's interest. It's unclear when exactly these talks began. Multiple sources say the studio approached other actors as well, including Josh Brolin. Ryan Gosling was also a possibility, but the actor dislikes the idea of sequels.
But Affleck was curious, and initial talks focusing on story and character began. Once Affleck was satisfied, WME's Patrick Whitesell and Ziffren Brittenham's Sam Fischer began negotiating his role in the Superman sequel. 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.
After he'd recovered from his string of bombs and turned in a bravura performance directing and starring in The Town, Fox offered him the chance to direct and star in a Daredevil reboot -- but Affleck turned it down. More recently, Nolan offered Affleck the chance to direct Man of Steel. Affleck declined, seemingly because of a desire not to return to the world of capes -- despite being an avowed comic book fan.
But it turns out Warner Bros. had other plans. And indeed, the film acts as a canny show of force by the studio, which, with one announcement, publicly threw its support behind one of its signature stars. Warners just showed Hollywood that it's still very much in the Ben Affleck business, a necessary move after his Argo took home the best picture Oscar, and after Kevin Tsujihara's ouster of Affleck champion Jeff Robinov left many of the studio’s go-to talents uneasy.
Affleck gets to be a tentpole actor again without the tentpole actor risk. Because it’s considered a sequel to Man of Steel and not a Batman movie, any potential underperformance issues won't ultimately land on his shoulders. The deal also potentially lines Affleck up to star in (and direct?) Warner Bros.' answer to The Avengers: The eventual Justice League movie.
How Ben Affleck Agreed to Play Batman and How Warner Bros. Takes Cares of Top Talent
___________________
Update: August 23, 2013
Fans Start Petition to Remove Ben Affleck from Playing Batman
Gandhi didn't actually say "be the change you wish to see in the world," and if he were still alive, you can bet he wouldn't place who plays Batman high on his priority list. But for a few thousand superhero fanboys and fangirls, Warner Bros.' decision to give the role to Ben Affleck is cause for red alert. This is the world that these people live in.
A new petition on Change.org demands just that -- that Affleck, who will play the role of Batman in the upcoming sequel to the Superman film Man of Steel, be stripped of his cape before he even gets to put it on. The White House's petition system (you know, the one that entertains ideas like making R. Kelly songs the national anthem) also fielded a request to make it illegal for Affleck to star as Batman, but that one was taken down as it was in violation of the White House petition system's terms of use.
Here's the justification provided: "His acting skill is not even close to being believable as Bruce Wayne and he won't do the role justice. He's not built, nor is he intimidating enough for the role of Batman. His portrayal of Daredevil was atrocious and he's not remotely close to an action star. Please find someone else."
Ben Affleck Petition Asks Warner Bros. To Take Back His Batman Gig
___________________
Update: August 22, 2013
Ben Affleck is Officially Batman in SUPERMAN/BATMAN Movie
Press Release: 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.” Warner Bros. has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.
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.
Snyder 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.”
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.
___________________
Update: July 31, 2013
Zack Snyder Meeting Frank Miller to Discuss SUPERMAN/BATMAN
Fans were through the roof with excitement when it was revealed a couple weeks ago at San Diego Comic-Con that the Man Of Steel sequel will in fact be a Batman/Superman film (rumored to be titled Batman Vs. Superman). Included in the announcement was a quote from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (which director Zack Snyder said will "inform" the movie's storyline) read by actor Harry Lennix. It turns out that the acclaimed comic book writer and artist wasn't aware of the announcement beforehand, and was surprised to hear it.
Independent reports that Miller will be meeting with Snyder soon to discuss the project, and a source of the author tells the site, "Frank had no idea the announcement in San Diego was going to happen so it did come as a surprise. He’s going to be meeting up with Zack in the next few days to go over the plans for the Superman film so things should be clearer after that."
Set to begin filming early next year (reportedly in Toronto) for a Summer 2015 release, Warner Bros.' untitled Batman/Superman movie currently stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast. Zack Snyder is directing from a script by David S. Goyer.
Zack Snyder to Meet with Frank Miller to Discuss SUPERMAN/BATMAN Movie
Behind-the-Scenes on How Ben Affleck Got the Role of BATMAN
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the process began earlier this year, after director Zack Snyder had finished working on Man of Steel with producer Christopher Nolan. Snyder and the studio already had ideas for a follow-up, and Snyder reached out to Affleck to check the star's interest. It's unclear when exactly these talks began. Multiple sources say the studio approached other actors as well, including Josh Brolin. Ryan Gosling was also a possibility, but the actor dislikes the idea of sequels.
But Affleck was curious, and initial talks focusing on story and character began. Once Affleck was satisfied, WME's Patrick Whitesell and Ziffren Brittenham's Sam Fischer began negotiating his role in the Superman sequel. 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.
After he'd recovered from his string of bombs and turned in a bravura performance directing and starring in The Town, Fox offered him the chance to direct and star in a Daredevil reboot -- but Affleck turned it down. More recently, Nolan offered Affleck the chance to direct Man of Steel. Affleck declined, seemingly because of a desire not to return to the world of capes -- despite being an avowed comic book fan.
But it turns out Warner Bros. had other plans. And indeed, the film acts as a canny show of force by the studio, which, with one announcement, publicly threw its support behind one of its signature stars. Warners just showed Hollywood that it's still very much in the Ben Affleck business, a necessary move after his Argo took home the best picture Oscar, and after Kevin Tsujihara's ouster of Affleck champion Jeff Robinov left many of the studio’s go-to talents uneasy.
Affleck gets to be a tentpole actor again without the tentpole actor risk. Because it’s considered a sequel to Man of Steel and not a Batman movie, any potential underperformance issues won't ultimately land on his shoulders. The deal also potentially lines Affleck up to star in (and direct?) Warner Bros.' answer to The Avengers: The eventual Justice League movie.
How Ben Affleck Agreed to Play Batman and How Warner Bros. Takes Cares of Top Talent
___________________
Update: August 23, 2013
Fans Start Petition to Remove Ben Affleck from Playing Batman
Gandhi didn't actually say "be the change you wish to see in the world," and if he were still alive, you can bet he wouldn't place who plays Batman high on his priority list. But for a few thousand superhero fanboys and fangirls, Warner Bros.' decision to give the role to Ben Affleck is cause for red alert. This is the world that these people live in.
A new petition on Change.org demands just that -- that Affleck, who will play the role of Batman in the upcoming sequel to the Superman film Man of Steel, be stripped of his cape before he even gets to put it on. The White House's petition system (you know, the one that entertains ideas like making R. Kelly songs the national anthem) also fielded a request to make it illegal for Affleck to star as Batman, but that one was taken down as it was in violation of the White House petition system's terms of use.
Here's the justification provided: "His acting skill is not even close to being believable as Bruce Wayne and he won't do the role justice. He's not built, nor is he intimidating enough for the role of Batman. His portrayal of Daredevil was atrocious and he's not remotely close to an action star. Please find someone else."
Ben Affleck Petition Asks Warner Bros. To Take Back His Batman Gig
___________________
Update: August 22, 2013
Ben Affleck is Officially Batman in SUPERMAN/BATMAN Movie
Press Release: 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.” Warner Bros. has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.
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.
Snyder 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.”
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.
___________________
Update: July 31, 2013
Zack Snyder Meeting Frank Miller to Discuss SUPERMAN/BATMAN
Fans were through the roof with excitement when it was revealed a couple weeks ago at San Diego Comic-Con that the Man Of Steel sequel will in fact be a Batman/Superman film (rumored to be titled Batman Vs. Superman). Included in the announcement was a quote from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (which director Zack Snyder said will "inform" the movie's storyline) read by actor Harry Lennix. It turns out that the acclaimed comic book writer and artist wasn't aware of the announcement beforehand, and was surprised to hear it.
Independent reports that Miller will be meeting with Snyder soon to discuss the project, and a source of the author tells the site, "Frank had no idea the announcement in San Diego was going to happen so it did come as a surprise. He’s going to be meeting up with Zack in the next few days to go over the plans for the Superman film so things should be clearer after that."
Set to begin filming early next year (reportedly in Toronto) for a Summer 2015 release, Warner Bros.' untitled Batman/Superman movie currently stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast. Zack Snyder is directing from a script by David S. Goyer.
Zack Snyder to Meet with Frank Miller to Discuss SUPERMAN/BATMAN Movie
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