Ben Affleck on why his Batman is different from Christian Bale’s

While Batman Vs. Superman won’t hit theaters until summer of 2015, there’ve been no shortage of rumors and speculation pertaining to the film. It almost seems like a daily occurrence. We’ve gotten possible titles, rumors of drones and Nightwing, other possible roles in the film, Henry Cavill talking about Ben Affleck, and even Kevin Smith raving about the new Batsuit.

Now, in a separate interview, Affleck has talked even more extensively about being cast as Batman. Why did he decide to take the role, what differentiates his Batman from that of Christian Bale’s, and which regrettable movie is he trying to make up for by taking part in Batman vs. Superman?

Ben Affleck talked about it all with Playboy Magazine. On why he eventually agreed to play the Dark Knight, despite his early resistance to the role:

“When they asked if I would be Batman, I told them I don’t see myself in the role and I was going to have to beg off. They said I’d fit well into how they were going to approach the character and asked me to look at what the writer-director, Zack Snyder, was doing. The stuff was incredible. […]It was a unique take on Batman that was still consistent with the mythology. It made me excited. All of a sudden I had a reading of the character. When people see it, it will make more sense than it does now or even than it did to me initially.”

On how his Batman will differ from previous portrayals of the character, particularly Christian Bale’s, Affleck said:

“I don’t want to give away too much, but the idea for the new Batman is to redefine him in a way that doesn’t compete with the Bale and Chris Nolan Batman but still exists within the Batman canon. It will be an older and wiser version, particularly as he relates to Henry Cavill’s Superman character.”

In terms of the negative backlash to his casting:

“I understand I’m at a disadvantage with the internet. If I thought the result would be another Daredevil, I’d be out there picketing myself. [laughs] Why would I make the movie if I didn’t think it was going to be good and that I can be good in it?”

Finally speaking of Daredevil, Affleck revealed it’s the movie he regrets most being a part of:

“The only movie I actually regret is ‘Daredevil.’ It just kills me. I love that story, that character, and the fact that it got f@cked up the way it did stays with me. Maybe that’s part of the motivation to do Batman.”

Batman Vs Superman (or whatever) is being scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Snyder. Man of Steel‘s Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman in the film along with Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane will also reprise their roles in the sequel.

It is scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2015.

 Source: Playboy Magazine (via Latino-Review)