From Daredevil to Batman

You see: Christian Bale meant it when he said he was not gonna play Batman again, rumors of a possible $50 million paycheck be damned.

And in more interesting, surprising news, after a forgettable attempt at superhero stardom with Daredevil, Ben Affleck will try, try again.

Yep, the Oscar winner is the new Caped Crusader. Not Tyler Hoechlin (too young?) and not Wes Bentley (too untested, perhaps?).

Affleck has been cast as Bruce Wayne opposite Henry Cavill in the Man of Steel sequel that’s now set for July 17, 2015, bringing the two characters together to the silver screen for the first time ever.

What a geekasm, and, more importantly, what...a choice.

I mean, Affleck had certainly re-invented himself into a respectable member of the filmmaking community worth considering and deferring to, even before he got snubbed by the Academy for his directing of Argo and, subsequently, for his winning a second Oscar, nevertheless, for producing the film. That is, post-Bennifer, the guy had been doing more than OK thanks to directing, which became his salvation.

He has performed since that time, earning good marks for his work in front of the camera as much for his breakthroughs from behind it. Take The Town, for instance: he was praised for it all, for, I think, it all came together. As part of a package.

The actor’s Affleck-ness was easily, say, overlooked because he made up for it thanks to that element of look...he can helm a good picture! He really hasn’t been an actor for hire since 2010 (next month’s Runner Runner will be his return to that role), and To the Wonder don’t count, for he basically had no lines in the film.

So the pressure is on for Affleck to live up the newfound character-piece quality of Batman, for which we can thank, of all people, acting-Oscar-winning Bale. He has to be more Bale in the part than George Clooney – a tall order since he leans to that side of the spectrum to begin with, knowwhatImean?

Which is not to say Affleck isn’t up for the challenge. If he has shown us anything in recent years that’s that he is more than capable of rising to any occasion for which we already may have discounted his still-kinda-hot ass.

Photo: IMDb.com.