The news that Ben Affleck will play DC Comics hero Batman in an upcoming live-action film has sparked a palpable outcry from observers, both fans and professionals alike.
Along with petitions calling for Affleck's removal -- one is currently at more than 15,000 signatures -- it's been a steady topic of discussion on Twitter since the announcement Thursday evening, with The Hollywood Reporter stating that 71 percent of the tweets on the subject in the first hour following the announcement were negative on the casting choice.
Yet the reaction isn't all bad, with comic book industry professionals like "Kick-Ass" creator Mark Millar expressing excitement over the news:
Ben Affleck will be a BRILLIANT Batman. Such a nice, intelligent actor. The backlash to his backlash is now complete. Love it!- Mark Millar (@mrmarkmillar) August 23, 2013
Image founder and recent DC Comics artist and writer Rob Liefeld was similarly positive:
FTR I dig Affleck as Batman. He will be .....RAD- robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 23, 2013
Scott Snyder, the writer of DC's current "Batman" series, explained to a fan in a four-part tweet that he's taking something of a wait-and-see approach:
@iMackyy honestly - embarrassing to admit - but the only time I was on board with the casting of a batman movie from go was Clooney...- Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) August 23, 2013
@iMackyy ...& much as I like him in general, BF was my least favorite Batman film ever. I admit I was child of full on 80's Keaton fanrage...- Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) August 23, 2013
@iMackyy ...then a Bale skeptic, even Ledger doubter - until I saw each film and ended up loving the casting. So truthfully...- Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) August 23, 2013
@iMackyy ...I'm up for anyone I didn't see coming. And Affleck is a very smart, talented guy with good intentions - so I'm honestly game.- Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) August 23, 2013
"Batman '66" writer Jeff Parker suggested historical perspective was in order:
Not defending, but everyone's saying the same things about Affleck that was said about Keaton and that one was cheered on opening.- Jeff Parker (@jeffparker) August 23, 2013
Marvel mainstay Brian Michael Bendis offered that there might be a pragmatic reason for Affleck's decision to take on the iconic role:
For those wondering why Ben Affleck would agree to be in this movie, I have the answer. my 10-year-old just asked: who's Ben Affleck?- BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) August 23, 2013
Beyond comic book industry professionals, opinions came from everyone including politicians:
Sorry I'm pro-Ben RT @tylerkingkade if elected, will you stop Ben Affleck from playing Batman?- Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 23, 2013
Comedians:
WOW, @BenAffleck is gonna play Batman. I hope he fights the Joke-ah! #wickedpissah- Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 23, 2013
If you have a problem with Ben Affleck as Batman, please never work in or near cinema, TV, or people and also get muscular dystrophy.- rob delaney (@robdelaney) August 23, 2013
How dare Ben Affleck ruin the integrity of a franchise where a grown man pretends he's a bat!- billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 23, 2013
Professional wrestlers:
Imagine if/when he cocks it all up, he'll be responsible for the two worst depictions of two separate superheroes.- CM Punk (@CMPunk) August 23, 2013
And veteran actors:
You read for a part, you feel good about it, you feel confident, then they cast Ben Affleck.- Richard Dreyfuss (@RichardDreyfuss) August 23, 2013
Yet to weigh in on Twitter is Ben Affleck himself.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the still-untitled film starring Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman is scheduled for release on July 17, 2015. More Ben Affleck-as-Batman reactions follow.
We are now living in a world where Ben Affleck is Batman and Robert Pattinson would be perfect as Lobo. Interesting times.- Kevin Maguire (@maguirekevin) August 23, 2013
Ben Affleck as Batman? WRONG. Abed is Batman always. #Community pic.twitter.com/QulF8iqwsM- Community (@nbccommunity) August 23, 2013
Ben Affleck would be an awesome guy standing off to the side while Batman whooshes by.- GailSimone (@GailSimone) August 23, 2013
(sadly hangs up the Bat-Whisky-Dispenser-Cowl) (unpacks cigarettes from utility belt) (slowly chews bat-flavoured condom, weeping softly)- Warren Ellis (@warrenellis) August 23, 2013
. @BenAffleck's Batcave has an Academy Award on the mantle. What's yours got? Right, some plastic crap you bought at Toys R Us.- Ron Marz (@ronmarz) August 23, 2013
Batman asks Robin and Batgirl to have a threesome and they all freak out and split up and make indie comics about how weird that was.- Andy Khouri (@andykhouri) August 23, 2013
Affleck will be awesome. They don't just hand huge / iconic parts out at random. (Except Rampage Jackson in "The A Team". That was awful.)- Stephen Amell (@amellywood) August 23, 2013
"I was hoping for Matt Damon." thats what she said. RT @dmaurigrin: @brianazzarello opinion about Ben Affleck as Batman?- Brian Azzarello (@brianazzarello) August 23, 2013
Lots asking my thoughts on #BatFleck. Rocks for THIS Bat-fan: now I've suddenly made out with Batman once back in 99. pic.twitter.com/dIIHhA2M90- KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 23, 2013
Ben Affleck as Batman? What a safe choice. I was hoping for Idris Elba or Helen Mirren.- Captain Tracy King (@tkingdoll) August 23, 2013
Affleck directing Batman? Could be cool. He's really finding himself as a director... Wha? Playing Batman? Eeeep!!-- A guy who saw Daredevil- Brian Posehn (@thebrianposehn) August 23, 2013
I don't like Affleck either, but a petition? Petitions are meant for important things, like protecting wetlands and saving TV shows.- Megan Ganz (@meganganz) August 23, 2013
That dose of Scarecrow toxin must have hit me harder than I thought. I had a terrible nightmare Ben Affleck was cast as Batman.- The Batman (@TheBatman) August 23, 2013