One of the major questions among fans to this day, who cannot imagine their lives without the incredible Batman character is- just how good a movie was Batman versus Superman: Dawn of Justice. Perhaps it may not be exactly untrue to suggest that even today, nearly half a decade since the release of the famous Zack Snyder movie, the film that pitted two of the most incredibly exasperating and captivating comic book heroes- Superman and Batman- fans cannot get over the fact that the movie was a tad bit disappointing.
That the two major forces on earth join hands in the end was fantastic and lay further ground for the next instalments of the captivating story line. But if there’s been a Batman movie that’s seemed as polarising as say a country like Israel- then it’s the 2016 big-budget Hollywood release.
That said, is that the only question that fans think about even in the wee hours of the morning today? How about something like- who might have been a back-up option for movie maker Zack Snyder had Ben Affleck of all people would’ve said a clear no to the Batman role?
How many of us have wondered about that? Finally, the answer to that is known as revealed by Snyder himself, the incredible maker of movies such as Man of Steel (2013) and Justice League (2017).
And truth be told, the answer may take most of us by sheer surprise for a majority- if one thinks correctly- may not even be aware of the second choice. With all due respect to the mega Hollywood stars who might seem to fit the bill of a character as demanding and intoxicating as the Batman, think of guys like Tom Hardy, Jack O’Connell, and Christian Bale himself- it’s none of them.
As a matter of fact, Snyder revealed that his choice for the part of Batman in the 2016 movie should Ben Affleck have said a resounding no would’ve been a Belgian actor. So who is this guy? Do we know him?
Ever heard of Mathias Schoenaerts. Well, if many of us wouldn’t know, then the Belgian starred in films as diverse and entertaining as Rust and Bone and Far From The Madding Crowd.
Thought of as a gritty and charismatic actor, the Belgian is fast making his presence felt in the top echelons of Hollywood.
That being told, here is what movie site News Track Live had to offer in relation to this interesting Batman development:
“I was talking to him a lot about it,” the Army of the Dead helmer said. “He never got in the suit,” Snyder said, “but I did do a bunch of mockups of him, because Ben was on the fence, you know. And I don’t blame him. Everyone should be on the fence when you’re asked, ‘Do you want to play Batman?”
Affleck ended up with the role, however, he announced that he was retiring as Batman following the troubled production of the original ‘Justice League’ film.
Despite all that, Ben will appear in the upcoming ‘The Flash’ movie and also returned for reshoots for Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League’.
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That being said, what about the next Batman movie, the one staring a not-so-chiselled- Robert Pattinson? Will it even get a big screen release, come the time of its release in 2022? Will the situations be normal soon again for us fans to stare at awe at one of the most glorious DC characters of all time?