1. Affleck Playing Batman Gives Hope Of Affleck Directing Batman
Anyone who was already on my side probably figured this for number one from the start. Affleck has directed critically acclaimed crime dramas. We know from experience that Batman is best received when he is presented in this form. If Affleck is willing, at this point in his career, to play Batman, who's to say he's not willing to direct Batman as well? From what little we know, there's no guarantee that this version of the character will ever see solo films. This Batman could be confined merely to team-ups. However, I believe that is a great waste of talent on Affleck's part. Affleck's sensibilities as a director fit perfectly within the world of Batman. To sign such a great director up to play Batman and not at least consider the possibility that he might one day direct the character as well would be foolish on Warner Brothers' part. This has the potential to be the perfect situation. The fear that came from the initial announcement that the new Batman would be introduced in the Man of Steel sequel was that any future solo director would be forced to confide his vision of Batman to Zack Snyder's. If Ben Affleck, critically acclaimed director, is playing Batman, however, I think there's a good chance he'll get his fair say into how the character is presented and if the possibility of a solo film presents itself, he won't have to worry about fitting anything into his Batman that he doesn't want to because he will have already had that conversation. The burden of the first post-Bale Batman was always going to be more on the actor that portrayed him than it was any one director. Said actor, depending on his success in the role, may have been called to play Batman in different films for different directors. It would be up to that actor to carry the weight of the role completely. How nice is it then, that the actor playing him is an accomplished director himself, fully capable of directing his own solo franchise if need be? Also, how unique and attention-getting that would be to have an actor playing and directing himself in a superhero film, especially an actor and director of Affleck's pedigree? This, essentially, solves the potential problem of another director having to play catch up if they decide to break this Batman off on his own. Affleck won't have to play catch up, he'll be in on the ground floor. While some may still not be convinced that he can play Batman, I defy anyone to say he can't direct Batman. All of the films he's directed thus far would differ. He's shown the ability to present the nuances of crime. He's shown the ability to direct action. He's shown the ability to get gritty. He knows how to get great performances. He's the perfect guy to direct Batman post-Nolan. The fact that he's playing the character as well isn't a negative in the slightest because he's proven he can direct a film and give a gritty, solid performance as an actor as well. As far as I'm concerned, Affleck's proven he's as versatile as the Dark Knight himself. Any reasons I missed? Any arguments against? Let me know in the comment section.