In Warner Bros.' DCEU,Ben Affleckhas become the latest big-screen iteration of both Bruce Wayne and Batman thanks to a title turn inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceand a cowled cameo of sorts in the supervillain team-up,Suicide Squad. But this version of Batman is ever-changing, ever-evolving, just as the shared cinematic universe itself will be doing following the success ofWonder Womanand the arrival ofJoss WhedonforJustice League, formerly aZack Snydersolo effort. Changes, they are a comin', but what does that mean for Affleck’s Batman?
In chatting withEWabout the highly anticipated DC release that’s arriving this November 17th, Affleck revealed the shift in his character’s focus for the upcoming film. Comic book fans who prefer their Batman a little more on the traditional side–whatever that means, since the Caped Crusader has had literally decades worth of re-imaginings and interpretations–should be pleased by what he had to say.
For folks who missed out on the Bat-rage inBatman v Superman, Affleck’s here to catch you up:
BvSdeparted a little bit from the traditional Batman. He started out with all this rage directed at Superman, because of his coworkers who had died in the fight Superman had with Zod. He was holding on to a lot of anger, in a little bit of an irrational way.
To put it lightly. So what does this mean for his version of the character inJustice League?
[T]his is a much more traditional Batman. He’s heroic. He does things in his own way, but he wants to save people, help people … This is more in keeping with the canon of how Batman’s usually been portrayed, and how he’s portrayed vis a vis theJustice Leaguein the comics. This is more the Batman you would find if you opened up your average Batman comic book … not that it’s average. I think it’s a really cool story.
How does this new version of Batman play into the superhero team-up?
He’s put in this position of having to reach out, find other people, convincing them to do something. Part of the drama of the movie is the question of whether or not the team is going to come together. It’s very different from the tenor of the last movie … Actually, it’s sort of a story about multilateralism. It’s not a bad theme to have!
If there’s one thing that kids love in their superhero movies, it’s an examination of the global political practice of uniting multiple countries in the pursuit of a common goal! I get what he’s saying: A bunch of unique and headstrong heroes are going to have to get over their many differences to find a way to work together for the common good. As long as Martha doesn’t factor into the plot, I’m in.
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