When Joss Whedon talks, fans listen and now that the writer/director of The Avengers approves of Ben Affleck as Batman, maybe all the backlash can finally calm down.
Whedon, who is a major player in geek culture as the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Firefly, sent out a tweet last night, saying that Affleck will “crush it.” He said that Affleck can act and he definitely has the “chin,” he just needs to make sure he gets a good script.
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
Many of Whedon’s followers must have approved, since the tweet’s been retweeted over 5,200 times and favorited nearly 3,000 times.
In the Warner Bros.’ announcement, director Zack Snyder also praised Affleck’s range as an actor and noted that the Batman character will be very different this time around.
“Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman,” Snyder said. “He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”
Since Affleck got the job on Thursday, fans have been divided on the decision. Some even started a petition to get Warner Bros. to reconsider and it’s reached over 30,000 signatures.
Whedon is currently working on The Avengers 2, which will be out in May 2015. Warner Bros.’ Man of Steel sequel hits theaters weeks later on July 17, 2015.
You can check out other celebrity reactions to the Affleck news here.
image: NBC