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wyldwolf

(43,865 posts)
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 09:42 PM Aug 2013

Three Superhero casting decisions worse (at the time) than Ben Affleck as Batman

I'm neither excited nor mortified at Ben Affleck's casting as Batman. I'm really kind of numb about it. I believe Christian Bale should have been offered the moon to reprise the role in the Superman/Batman movie if only to retain the stability of the character. After all, we've seen four actors in the role since 1989.

Believe it or not, some of the most beloved Superhero movies could have been sunk by terrible casting decisions - but they turned out OK... right?



Director and producers thought Chris Reeve was too skinny to be Superman but was cast after an exhaustive search in which even the director's dentist was screen tested. His blondish-brown hair had to be dyed black. And he was put on an intensive 6 month training regiment with David "Darth Vader" Prowse to bulk up for the role - which didn't seem to turn out all that well (for the first movie, anyway.) He was far from the first choice.



No one ever questioned Robert Downey Jr's acting ability when he was cast as Iron Man - they questioned his heart and dedication and wondered if he could ever stay out of jail or rehab long enough to hold an acting job. He'd been given plenty of "second chances," including a starring role in Ally McBeal which he pissed away. Plus, he just didn't seem to be the Superhero type...



What? Michael Keaton as... BATMAN?? WTF?? This movie is going to BOMB!!!




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Three Superhero casting decisions worse (at the time) than Ben Affleck as Batman (Original Post) wyldwolf Aug 2013 OP
Affleck already bombed as Daredevil. RandySF Aug 2013 #1
Actually, it vastly under-performed - but didn't actually "bomb." wyldwolf Aug 2013 #2
Someone on CNN said "If Affleck is going to play batman than Matt Damon needs to play Robin". applegrove Aug 2013 #3
The three examples you bring forth Broken_Hero Aug 2013 #4
I may be wrong, but ... zbdent Aug 2013 #5
I hoped (a distant hope) Rainforestgoddess Aug 2013 #6
From the LA Times… 1988 wyldwolf Aug 2013 #7
I remember all the hate around Keaton when he was cast Broken_Hero Aug 2013 #8
Do you remember the vitriol when Heath Ledger was cast a Joker? wyldwolf Aug 2013 #10
Yes, I remember the Ledger Broken_Hero Aug 2013 #11
I prefer other choices Xyzse Aug 2013 #9
Oh, full disclosure Xyzse Aug 2013 #12
Reeve was a different case wyldwolf Aug 2013 #13
I liked Bale Xyzse Aug 2013 #14
I think a lot of people didn't really look at his body of work since his arrest... WCGreen Sep 2013 #16
"Our Valued Customer's" take on the Superman News FSogol Aug 2013 #15

wyldwolf

(43,865 posts)
2. Actually, it vastly under-performed - but didn't actually "bomb."
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 10:09 PM
Aug 2013

I wouldn't agree it was because of Affleck's performance.

Broken_Hero

(59,305 posts)
4. The three examples you bring forth
Sat Aug 24, 2013, 10:49 PM
Aug 2013

I thought the casting was spot on, I was to young to really know about C. Reeves, but the other two when I heard what character they were cast for, I immediately thought they could pull it off.

Granted I have missed out on Argo, and The Town my gut reaction to the announcement is very luke warm, actually negative. I thought for sure they would either get Bale again, or Levitt. Affleck came out of left field to me, and I'm against it...but, he might pull it off, and if he does I will give him kudos.

The only time I was sure a casting choice was going to be perfect was Christian Bale as Batman, the minute I heard that he was cast as the Bats, heaven opened up and Jor-el the god by which I guide my life came down and said, this is just and good!

Rainforestgoddess

(436 posts)
6. I hoped (a distant hope)
Sun Aug 25, 2013, 10:51 AM
Aug 2013

That if Bale wouldn't do it, that Bruce Campbell would get the job.

Oh well. I'm a Marvel girl anyway.

wyldwolf

(43,865 posts)
7. From the LA Times… 1988
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 09:15 AM
Aug 2013

From the LA Times… 1988

“Mr. Mom as Batman?
July 03, 1988

So Michael Keaton has been cast as Batman/Bruce Wayne?

He might have made a good Joker, but his comic style, which he seems unable to shake (but can amplify), has doomed this promised “serious” treatment of Bob Kane’s character to the same tired, boring level of artificial “camp” that made the TV series a hit yet simultaneously doomed it to an early cancellation.

The painful lesson of “Superman III”–when you don’t treat venerable superheroes with respect the audience rejects the property–has been ignored in this cynical, opportunistic attempt to capitalize on the success of “Beetlejuice” (same director, same star).

The Sam Hamm script that director Tim Burton is filming has many blunders, but does treat the characters basically seriously. Obviously, in casting Keaton, Burton is rejecting this approach altogether and going after a manic comedy.

Batman has been a popular character for almost five decades–not because he is a figure of comedy, but precisely because he is not , especially in the last couple of years. By ignoring this, by casting a clown as Batman, Warner Bros. and Burton have defecated on the history of Batman and on the hopes of those who appreciate the character and his potential.

Better they should have filmed Frank Miller’s “Batman: the Dark Knight Returns.” But that would have required courage, taste and imagination.

Broken_Hero

(59,305 posts)
8. I remember all the hate around Keaton when he was cast
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 12:52 PM
Aug 2013

but I wasn't one of them, perhaps this is what will happen with Affleck, but I have my doubts, like I did with Ledger(although not nearly as many doubts as Affleck as the bats), and if so, I'll eat my crow with a smile.

Broken_Hero

(59,305 posts)
11. Yes, I remember the Ledger
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 02:32 PM
Aug 2013

lash back, I wasn't part of it, til the first picture of him as the Joker came out, then I got skeptical, not hateful. And I ate a lot of crow on that one, Ledger knocked that one out of the park.

Do I expect Affleck to do the same? No, I am very skeptical and to be honest a big negative, but if he pulls it off I'll eat my crow. In digesting the news for a few days I've warmed up to him, mainly because, "at least he wasn't cast as Superman."


Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
9. I prefer other choices
Mon Aug 26, 2013, 01:00 PM
Aug 2013

But I have no illusions about me watching it. Since I will.

I may grouse a bit, but that's fine. I mean, I'd have preferred a John Hamm Bruce Wayne, although my initial thoughts were that they should have gone after Scott Adkins. Guy is tall, and a great martial artist.

I thought it was important to get the martial arts down pat.

Still, Ben has grown throughout the years. I still prefer him as a director rather than an actor.

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
12. Oh, full disclosure
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 05:07 PM
Aug 2013

With Reeves as Superman, I wasn't born yet, so I could care less.

Robert Downey Jr. I thought was a decent choice. He had the acting chops and the background to do a great Tony.

As for Michael Keaton, he was Batman before I knew about the casting. I couldn't take him seriously as Batman for either movie. I guess, even if I grouse on whomever actor plays a super hero.

I am a sad case of a guy who would watch it any way.

The only thing that I completely blasted and would not give a chance was Dragonball Z.

Basically, anything with "Dragon" in the name of it, and it is not a bare bones martial arts flick from the likes of Jacky Chan, Bruce Lee or that sort, I won't watch. Movies with Dragon in there, tends to automatically suck.

wyldwolf

(43,865 posts)
13. Reeve was a different case
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 08:09 PM
Aug 2013

There was no internet at the time so the 'fan boy' backlash wasn't nearly as obvious. Plus, the producers kept Reeve under wraps for a long time. All people knew was he was a skinny blonde kid who'd acted in soaps.

Keaton was savaged. (Nicholson as The Joker wasn't a real popular pick, either. They thought he was too old/fat.)

People laughed at Downey - no one took him seriously as an actor anymore.

There was tepid response for Bale. The reaction to Ledger as The Joker was close to hateful.

It wasn't only right wingers who complained Henry Cavill wasn't American and shouldn't play Superman.

I can only imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Wonder Woman is cast.

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
14. I liked Bale
Tue Aug 27, 2013, 08:48 PM
Aug 2013

I've been a fan since Equilibrium.

I didn't have much of a reaction for Ledger.

In regards to Superman, I still felt bad about Routh. I thought that he was fine as Superman, he just didn't have the right script.
Cavill, is ok as Superman, as long as he doesn't talk. Once he starts talking, he loses his credibility. I don't know why, but any time he talks, he lacks a certain presence. I hope he improves as an actor. I could care less that he wasn't American.

As for Wonder Woman. I think I mentioned here my preferences. I tend to go for people that are not well known, so chances are, they won't get it.

Like I mentioned though, I might grouse a little, but I can't protest too much since I will watch such things no matter what.

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
16. I think a lot of people didn't really look at his body of work since his arrest...
Tue Sep 3, 2013, 05:10 AM
Sep 2013

Chaplin was a great movie, Soap Dish was one of the funniest movies of the 90's.

Wonder Boys held his own with a great cast. The Singing Detective, Kiss Kiss Bag Bang and Goodnight and Good Luck three really good movies.

Then there was A Scanner Lightly which was weird and ended up a pretty good movie.

A Fur and Zodiac were very entertaining.

Then came IM, and Sherlock...

He's been troubled with substance abuse but seems to have put all that behind.

Downey is a damn good actor when he wants to be. Go back and watch Chaplin if you can.

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