It was the news heard around the world when Warner Bros. announced Ben Affleck as their Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight for 2015’s Batman vs. Superman. While some have reacted well to it (the Flickering Myth writing staff are positive about the news), the news has been met with some very negative reactions from the comic book community with petitions being signed asking WB to change the casting choice.
But what does Affleck’s friend and Good Will Hunting co-writer think of him taking on the cowl? While promoting Elysium (read our reviews here and here), Matt Damon spoke to The Times of India about his thoughts on the subject matter. Though praising of his friend, he seemed almost dismissive of the character itself: “I think it will be great,” the Bourne star said. “It will be terrific. I know there are a lot of people grousing on the internet. I just think it’s kind of funny. You know, he’s not playing King Lear. It’s Batman! Certainly within his skill set. If anybody saw Argo or The Town, and all the work he’s been doing lately, it’s way more nuanced and interesting and way more difficult than Batman! Batman just sits there with his cowl over his head and whispers in a kinda gruff voice at people. Bruce Wayne is the more challenging part of the role, and Ben will be great at that.”
With Affleck’s casting came fanboy wishlists of who would play Robin alongside him, with Damon being the frontrunner. “It’s safe to say I won’t be Robin” he told the paper, quashing any potential rumour.
Damon also talked about the rumour of him returning to the Bourne franchise and though he didn’t address the speculation head on, he did make it clear that he bears no ill will towards last year’s The Bourne Legacy staring Jeremy Renner. “They were just trying to revitalize that franchise and I didn’t mind at all,” he says. “It didn’t have anything to do with the movie that I made. It makes sense for a studio to keep those franchises as alive as they can, it makes business sense for them. I don’t begrudge anybody for that. I am a huge fan of Jeremy. I don’t equate my Bourne movie with his. He didn’t play the part of Jason Bourne. It’s a totally different thing.”
Batman vs. Superman will be out in July 2015 and will also feature Henry Cavill returning as the Man of Steel as well as Zack Snyder in the director’s chair.
Originally published August 28, 2013. Updated December 13, 2019.
