Ben Affleck Discusses His Contribution to Batman’s Legacy and Praises Zack Snyder’s “Long-Term” Vision

Today, we have more from Entertainment Weekly‘s extensive coverage of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which finally hits theaters in a couple weeks. In a new interview with the magazine, Batman actor Ben Affleck weighs in on the movie’s vision of the Caped Crusader.

Affleck reaffirms that he was uncertain about playing Batman until he was sold on director Zack Snyder’s interpretation. Regarding Snyder’s “long-term vision” for the hero and writer Chris Terrio’s contributions, Affleck says, “I went in and looked at Zack’s long-term worldview and the take he had on this character. It’s within the kind of canon of Batman, and the part of the Batman canon that he chose and the way that he saw taking it long-term, that was interesting to me. And the partner that he chose in telling this story is Chris Terrio. Chris Terrio wrote not only this movie, but he wrote Justice League, and he also helped the long-term vision.”

As for how well Snyder and Terrio work together, Affleck has nothing but positive things to say about the collaboration. “Zack was the guy who is so into the comic books and the fanboy world, and Chris was the guy who did political thrillers and wasn’t a comic book guy. They were sort of perfect compliments to one another. I thought that was a brave partnership on both of their parts, a perfect match, a yin and yang sort of thing. That combination was really exciting to me. So I was really psyched.”

Affleck then reveals that Terrio signed on for Batman v Superman “right around” the same time that he did. The two previously worked together on Affleck’s last directorial effort, Argo, which won an Oscar for Best Picture. However, despite their history together, Affleck says that he and Terrio both being involved with Batman v Superman was just a coincidence, and not a “package deal.”

Over the past few decades, many actors have portrayed Batman on film, television, etc., all adding to the character’s legacy. When asked what he contributes, Affleck wants to leave that decision to “other people.” But he has this to say about how his Batman differs from other cinematic portrayals. “What I wanted was to create a Batman that was sort of at the end of his rope physically and psychologically and emotionally, a guy who was beaten down by the world, a guy who was a little bit more of a slugger, who has more gray in his hair, and who was questioning whether the whole journey that he lived as Batman was in fact even worth it, given that he was not superhero, but now had to face a super-being, which none of the other Batmans had to confront in the movie world. It’s an interesting thing to combine, because in the Nolan Batmans, which are the defining Batmans — so magnificent — there are no other superheroes. It’s just this guy. He never has to reconcile who he is with this idea that there are all these other people who can do these supernatural things. Having to confront that and having to deal with that is my contribution to the character.”

During his twenty-year crusade as Batman, Bruce Wayne suffered some terrible losses. Among these was Robin, whose costume is on display in the Batcave. Concerning this, Affleck says, “He’s bitterly disappointed in the past that he’s lost this guy who fought by his side. That character’s death must have been devastating to him, and he’s suffered. We get the sense that he’s suffered a lot of devastating losses before this movie even starts.”

For the rest of Affleck’s interview with EW, where he talks Batman’s perspectives of Superman and Wonder Woman and shares an update on the solo Batman film, click HERE.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is scheduled to hit theaters March 25th. The second installment in the DC Extended Universe stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter and Gal Gadot. Zack Snyder directs from a script by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer.