It's easy to remember how unloved Ben Affleck used to be, because the reaction to his recent casting as the new Batman reminded everyone how it was done. But Man of Steel 2 aside, late-career Ben Affleck is a generally more well-liked Ben Affleck. His directorial track record is three for three on mature, muscular thrillers, but the public support behind Affleck surrounding his Argo Oscar snub really showed how far we'd all come as people ready to accept Ben Affleck as a man with a surprising amount of talent. The 00s, however, were a hard time for Affleck. Pearl Harbour, Gigli and Daredevil are not only considered the worst films Affleck's ever starred in, but some of the worst films of all time. Paired off with Jenny From the Block, Affleck really became the full package: an insufferable celebrity as well as an unfortunately bland screen presence. Nobody saw Gone Baby Gone coming in 2007, nor Affleck's heartbreaking performances in 2006's Hollywoodland or 2013's To the Wonder, while The Town and Argo confirmed his place as a fine modern American filmmaker. Now he's Batman, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the dashing young princes. Follow Brogan on twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion: @BroganMorris1
