![]() |
![]() |
#26 |
Banned User
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,692
|
![]()
My top two favorite live-action Batmen to date are Christian Bale and Val Kilmer, who just BARELY edges out Keaton. Clooney is a very good actor, but really wasn't the right choice to follow on from Keaton and Kilmer. It also didn't help that the script he had to work with was a complete tonal departure from the other films.
Having just said that, though, I do think Clooney would actually have been a good choice for the role that we now know is Affleck's. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,387
|
![]() Quote:
In a few years time I think Bale will end up in the same spot Maguire is in. Serviceable performance for the modern day, but ultimately upstaged with the right actor and script. As far as Batman the persona is concerned, I've yet to see a fully formed personality close to the modern books. Batman Begins was the closest. For me it went completely downhill with the sequels due to Bale and the lack of Batman-focus in the scripts. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 |
SW Prequels Defender
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 21,479
|
![]()
Bale did have the right script for his interpretation and he was the right actor for these movies. It then becomes a matter for which interpretation you like more.
And Connery's definitive nature is certainly being questioned as of Skyfall. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,287
|
![]() Quote:
![]() If you'd said that after Casino, I would've been all for it. But in Skyfall... Man, he was a muscular plank of wood.
__________________
I NEVER WANTED YOU TO COME BACK TO GOTHAM.
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 |
SW Prequels Defender
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 21,479
|
![]()
I'm just saying that many many people love Craig and cite him as the definitive Bond.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#31 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,387
|
![]() Quote:
Batman has a bit more public awareness thanks to his long history, so people sort of know what to expect from the get-go. I don't think it's any secret Bale's performance annoys and turns off some people. Overall he does get praise, but the detractors are loud enough that even his fans know it's an issue with others. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#32 |
danneB
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,588
|
![]()
bale is definitely in the discussion of best actor of his generation, along with the like of dicaprio, fassbender, phoenix, I'm sure I've left some out. with that said bale wasn't the perfect batman.
__________________
All your data are belong to Braniac. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#33 |
SW Prequels Defender
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 21,479
|
![]()
Nobody was. Nobody will be. That's the beauty of Batman. Grant Morrison sees it (that's probably why I worship the guy).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#34 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 10,412
|
![]() Quote:
I think Nolan would rather make a movie character the audience will sympathize with, than bring to life the detective/martial artist/planner from the comics. There ARE moments in the TDK trilogy where that occurs, but it's subtle and easily missed. Bale did a bit of investigating in Begins and some in TDK. But his role wasn't built around being a detective, just an opposing force to evil. I think Snyder cares more about staying true to the personality of the character. I think Cavill felt more like Superman than Bale felt like Batman. He just wasn't given a consistently good script. But to me, the supporting characters are who I think fall under the radar. I personally think Caine's Alfred may not be surpassed as a performance. Ledger, would be more than difficult to top (Yeah, he isn't underrated, but I'm trying to make a statement) Oldman as Gordon, I think kind of fell in the background. He'll be tricky to match, and I think he did a perfect job at playing a sympathetic character. Bale had a bit of screen presence, and was BELIEVABLE as someone who COULD kick butt. However, I think that if Affleck gets jacked, the effect will be similar. I think the belief that a person has to be a great actor overall to play Batman is wrong. I feel like the person who plays Batman just has to have expressive eyes, and an intimidating voice. And muscles are pretty much a requirement this day and age. Wayne is trickier, but I think Affleck would have no trouble playing jokey Bruce, and I think he could even play broody Bruce well. But I think there should be elements to throw off the appearance of Affleck when he's Bruce. Long(er) hair, that kind of thing. But BA will have to NAIL the role, and not upstage Cavill. That will be hard, I think. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#35 |
AW YEEEAH!
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Scotland
Posts: 21,399
|
![]()
I think it's too early to really consider where Ben Affleck will stand in comparison to the other Batman actors in film history. We probably hav to wait for the film itself to assess that, though the trailers and promotional images might give us enough of an inkling to at least begin the discussion.
That said, as a Ben Affleck fan and a supporter of him taking the role of Batman, I think he's going to have a hard time topping Christian Bale. It's become trendy to trash him in some quarters, but for me, Bale is the definitive Batman, he's MY Batman. Indeed, Batman Begins first came onto my radar as a film to actually look forward to when Bale was cast in the leading role. He was already one of my favourite actors, and his role as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho was at the time my all-time favourite film performance. And Bale met my lofty expectations, crafting a complex, powerful performanceas Bruce Wayne with an arc spanning over three films. I remember experiencing the Keaton films, the Kilmer and Clooney films, and Kevin Conroy in the Animated Series back when they were new, not to mention Adam West in reruns of the old TV series, and I've been a Batman fan my whole life. But it wasn't until the Christian Bale era that Batman actually became my favourite character in the Batman mythos: before that it was the villains - mostly The Joker - who I singled out as my favourites. So no, I don't think Affleck will top Bale. But I wasn't expecting anyone to top the perfect storm of one of my favourite actors playing my favourite character in fiction. I do feel like Affleck should be a worthy successor though, and it may be a case of apples and oranges where the two can't really be compared. Bale played a specific interpretation of Bruce Wayne and Batman, one with a finite journey that came to a rewarding, closed conclusion. Affleck could be poised to play something more like the Batman of the comics, someone on an endless quest who has dedicated himself to a lifelong battle against crime. I'm not saying one is better than the other. I love the Dark Knight trilogy as a closed, complete world with a beginning and an (open) end. But Affleck can be a different Batman, one of a larger shared universe.
__________________
Check out my comics, THE STANDARD, AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE, OXYMORON: THE LOVELIEST NIGHTMARE on ComiXology! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#36 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,287
|
![]() Quote:
EDIT: And avatar.
__________________
I NEVER WANTED YOU TO COME BACK TO GOTHAM.
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#37 | |
Just some nut
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Behind you
Posts: 4,491
|
![]() Quote:
Took the words right outta my mouth and agree 99.9%, except for Batman not being your favorite character before; Bats has been my favorite character ever since I was 3, from the comics, the 60s show, the movies and animation, and Bale is my favorite version of the character; even as it differs from the comics cannon, I think that in many ways is the most faithful adaptation of the core of the character, and now we can look forward to a different, maybe more comic-faithful version with Affleck, I remain positive. Polux |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#38 |
Banned User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,912
|
![]()
Batman Look: Remains to be seen how he will stack up.
Costume: Ben Affleck Costume will be the best no doubt about that. Physique: Ben Affleck will be the best most powerful looking and the most physically superior Batman ever. No doubt about that. Bruce Wayne Look: I think it is safe to say that he won't place in the Top 3. Batman Voice: Remains to be seen honestly. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#39 |
Hathaway #1
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,048
|
![]()
I like Keaton and still think he has value. Though Bale is my fave. Always will be, to be honest. I think Affleck can mix in with those two, probably third, or second on the list. He'll have the body mass, and the playboy side I'm sure. I'm interested in how he'll be behind the mask.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#40 |
In the fire
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: In the fire.
Posts: 13,149
|
![]()
Can't say. He will certainly look the part tho.
__________________
“Turn to page 394.” |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#41 |
Extra Terrestrial
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Second Star to the Right
Posts: 8,221
|
![]()
I swear to God if he has that horrible voice Bales Batman had I'll be soo upset. That was by far the cheesiest part of Nolans Batman, as well as the mask.
I honestly think Affleck is going to do just fine but like many have said before its way too early to make any assumption to his character.
__________________
Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch? Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt! Sir Bedevere: A newt? Peasant 3: ..... I got better. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#42 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,619
|
![]()
Seems like Affleck has a leg up as Batman considering so many people dislike Bale's Batman voice. I'm not one of those people.
Quote:
![]() I'm excited to see how it goes with Affleck though. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#43 |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 31,840
|
![]()
People have this emotional attachment to Christian Bale's take on the character, which is understandable, my generation had that connection to Michael Keaotn, and that often seems to blind them to the fact that while he was certainly good, he wasn't exactly great in the role, or somehow irreplaceable. Bale's Bruce Wayne is fantastic, but it's also kind of hit or miss at times. His Batman, even moreso, and his voice was ridiculous for the most part.
My prediction? Affleck will be right up there with Bale and Keaton in terms of performance quality, and odds are good that he'll be the most comic book accurate representation of both Bruce Wayne and Batman we've seen in a major motion picture.
__________________
"Perception is the enemy of reason." -Me |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#44 | |
Extra Terrestrial
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Second Star to the Right
Posts: 8,221
|
![]() Quote:
__________________
Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch? Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt! Sir Bedevere: A newt? Peasant 3: ..... I got better. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#45 | |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,674
|
![]()
I can't answer the OP's question b/c it's too soon to make comparisons (and in some of the posters case) assumptions.
And I laugh at the revisionist history going on up here. All of a sudden Bale didn't look like Bruce/Batman b/c Affleck is now the first and only actor to look like the character right off the pages. I bet some of these posters were saying the same thing about Bale a decade ago. I guess it's out with the old and in with the new. It's the type of crap bandwagon fans do. Quote:
![]() LOL I bet you said the same thing about Bale when he was cast a decade ago. More revisonist history. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#46 |
Banned User
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,692
|
![]()
@Elevator Man: Anyone who thought that Warner Bros. wasn't going to make another film using or featuring Batman was kidding themselves.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#47 |
Side-Kick
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,674
|
![]()
I'm sure Batman would've made an appearance in that rumored JL movie. I believe the GA weren't expecting Batman to return in another 5-7 years at least.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#48 |
Extra Terrestrial
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Second Star to the Right
Posts: 8,221
|
![]()
I can agree with the "it's too soon" notion. I feel like its a bit rushed. A sequal MoS movie without Batman would of been just fine in my eyes.
I have always felt they are trying to play catch up with Marvel, and this feeling rushed just solidifies my feeling on the matter.
__________________
Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch? Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt! Sir Bedevere: A newt? Peasant 3: ..... I got better. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#49 |
Banned User
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 7,692
|
![]()
I doubt the 'general audience' has any objections to them including Batman in the MoS sequel. It's only the 'fanboys' who have a problem, at least insofar as I can tell.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#50 |
Banned User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wallachia
Posts: 27,939
|
![]()
I think there's a chance that Ben could be the best Batman yet. I'm not saying that he absolutely will, but the only other two I've liked were Bale and Keaton. Bale was absolutely the best Bruce Wayne and had the physicality that Batman absolutely needs. Keaton had the best Batman voice and (IMO) the best costume in Batman '89.
I'll never understand why anyone liked Kilmer's Batman/Bruce Wayne. He was either flat to the point of acting catatonic, or just over-the-top awful "HAAARRVEEEEEEY! IIIII'MMMM BATMAAAAAN!" Clooney was also terrible, but I think that he might have been decent in a better movie. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|