While the reasons for Ben Affleck accepting the role of Batman in Zack Snyder's forthcoming "Man of Steel" sequel seem to be myriad (the money, creative control, the potential to direct the forthcoming "Justice League" movie), the online response to the casting decision has been almost wholly negative.
But one notable geek-world icon who has come out in favor of Affleck as Batman is Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly" and writer/director of Marvel's billion dollar-grossing "The Avengers."
On Friday, the day after the casting announcement, Whedon tweeted his take on the "Man of Steel" sequel, which will again star Henry Cavill as Superman:
Whedon fanatics are quick to remember that the director, in the fallow period between Joel Schumacher's "Batman & Robin" and Christopher Nolan's bold reinterpretation "Batman Begins," pitched Warner Bros. on a new version of Batman. Exact details of Whedon's version have never been wholly illuminated, although he briefly touches on the project in the massive, multipage interview in Entertainment Weekly this week.Affleck'll crush it. He's got the chops, he's got the chin -- just needs the material. Affleck & Cavill toe to toe -- I'm in.
- Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) August 24, 2013
In 2008 Whedon said that his version of Batman would have had Bruce Wayne in a relationship with a "Hannibal Lecter-type" villain, saying that he still gets very emotional about it and would love to do it as a comic book one day. But considering Whedon is the writer/director of the upcoming "Avengers: Age of Ultron," as well as the creative godhead for the entire Marvel cinematic universe, it's probably going to be a while before we get to see his take on the cape and cowl.
Still, it's nice to know that he's thrown his weight behind Affleck and that, while the press likes to pit DC and Marvel against each other, they're really much friendlier towards each other behind the scenes. You know, nerds have to stick together.
[via Twitter h/t Variety]
