Key Takeaways:
– Zack Snyder opines that the perfect Batman needs to be tall.
– The director asserts Christian Bale and Michael Keaton were not ideal due to their height.
– Ben Affleck, due to his taller stature and perfect chin, was ideal as Batman in Snyder’s vision.
– Affleck’s muscular build and intimidating figure made him the perfect Batman to Snyder.
Snyder’s Take on the Ideal Caped Crusader
Zack Snyder, acclaimed director and a key figure in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), recently revealed in-depth insights on what makes his perfect Batman in the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
In discussing the enduring legacy of the caped character, Snyder revealed that the height of the actor was a critical criterion in casting the role of Batman in his films. The director’s preferences resulted in a reassessment of Christian Bale’s and Michael Keaton’s renditions of the iconic superhero.
Christian Bale and Michael Keaton: Not Snyder’s Batman
While appreciating Bale’s portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Snyder cited Bale’s height as a deterrent. “He’s a great Batman, but he’s still, like, you know, 5’10”,” Snyder commented. Snyder substantiated his opinion by stating that traditionally, Batman’s depiction in comics has been of a grander stature.
Snyder’s inclination towards height was further reinforced as he mentioned Michael Keaton, another previous Batman, who is 5’8″ tall wasn’t ideal for the role due to his height.
Ben Affleck: A Resounding Yes for Snyder
Conversely, Snyder defended his decision of casting Ben Affleck as Batman in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ According to the director, Affleck’s stature – standing at 6’4″ – was just right and portrayed Batman as Snyder envisioned. The boots worn by Affleck further added two inches to his stature, making him nearly 6’6” in costume.
Snyder also highlighted the importance of Affleck’s chin and physical build for the character. Affleck’s ability to add the required muscle to his physique, combined with his intimidating figure, made him an ideally scary avatar, transforming Batman from the comics to the big screen, Snyder explained. “I mean, look at him… he’s legitimately… that’s Batman to me,” he expressed in appreciation of Affleck’s ideal fit for Batman. Snyder has previously voiced his admiration for Affleck’s portrayal as the best Batman on screen.
Final Thoughts
Snyder’s comments on the ideal characteristics of Batman and the importance of an actor’s physical attributes invite interesting conversations about character casting. As Batman continues to reign as one of the most popular comic book characters, fans and critics alike are likely to have varied views on Snyder’s opinions. It’s clear that Snyder perceives cinematic Batman through a specific lens, valuing size and stature as indispensable to creating an iconic, imposing version of the Dark Knight.
His DCEU movies, including ‘Batman v Superman,’ are continuously streaming to remind us of his unique portrayals. Snyder’s comments serve as a lens into the director’s thinking behind casting Batman, and they also illuminate how physical attributes can significantly impact cinematic character depictions.
