Ben Affleck: Bulking up for Batman was tougher than fans’ criticism

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Alistair Foster21 March 2016
The Weekender

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Batman v Superman star Ben Affleck has said getting in shape for the film was more challenging than overcoming fan scepticism about his casting as the Caped Crusader.

The choice of Affleck as the new Batman has been criticised by some devotees, but the 43-year-old actor said:

“The most challenging part was physical; audiences expect these actors to invest themselves physically in roles now.

"It's not enough to just show up and read your lines, you have to get in great shape and it was not something I was used to.

"I wasn't an athlete so I didn't know about working out every day for two hours, that was something new."

Speaking on the red carpet at the premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Affleck promised his portrayal would be a “curveball” for fans:

"Before we started all I could think of was Christian Bale and Chris Nolan and George Clooney and Tim Burton and Michael Keaton and Bob Crane and Frank Miller, and all these people who worked on these characters and made them great before."

On the red carpet: Amy Adams and Gal Gadot at the New York premiere
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

He added: "I'm standing on the shoulders of all these great cast members and I'm really proud of the movie. We did something different with Batman that I really like, it was a take I really wanted to do.

"It will be a little curveball for the fans so I'm really hoping that they enjoy it because that is ultimately who it is for."

British actor Henry Cavill resumes his dual role of Clark Kent and Superman in the film, following on from Man Of Steel in 2013.

He said: "When I heard Batman was going to be in this movie - it's essentially a Batman introduction movie - it means we are opening up the DC cinematic universe and in that are 1,001 rich stories so I'm very happy about that."

Social Network star Jesse Eisenberg joins the cast as villain Lex Luthor but defended the evil millionaire on the red carpet, saying:

"The character is the hero of his own story, in a way he is trying to save humanity. He thinks Superman is a threat and it's his responsibility to stand up for the world."

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice will be released in UK cinemas on Friday.

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