It’s been a few days, but Ben Affleck sat down with Jimmy Fallon to talk about his “election” and role of Batman. The applause he got for his role in Late Night is far from the general reaction to his selection. Internet forums certainly do have a knack for annihaliting roles in advance. However, this blog is not about questioning the decision of Affleck or the producers, but what principles or lessons might behind this kind and youthful actor/director.
So… What can we learn from this Daredevil?
One of the first things I noticed was the internal drive that Affleck had. Sometimes you really hate constructed interviews that state that actors or athletes had a great time or experience, etcetera, but his enthusiasm was highly believable. He understands what the producer wanted and he felt he could add to those ideas
Secondly, he does not shy away from the task at hand. Based on the reactions he received on prior actors (think Heath Ledger for instance), you can imagine going to Comic Con 2013 might not lift his spirit. Yet, Affleck is curiously optimistic. He beliefs in himself and is excited about what’s going to be coming.
What I liked a lot in the interview was his self-criticism. Sometimes celebrities or heroes lack knowledge of their own weaknesses. Affleck immediately, before speaking about his own role, stated that he can’t do it like Christian Bale. He took the comments with a certain amount of humor and even referred to the “Emmy snub”. This, to me, points out that he knows that he has big shoes to fill, but also is aware of all the things that come along with playing in such films with an enormous fan base.
If it did not turn out to be one of his glamour roles, he can use his self-criticism just like George Clooney did. When being asked what Clooney’s thoughts were on Affleck as new Batman, he stated that he can not make any judgements. Not because he did not know Affleck or the new storyline of Man of Steel well enough. No, Clooney stated that he simply should not be questioned about suitable actors for the role of Batman, because he ruined playing Batman himself in 1997 Batman & Robin.
I am quite eager to find out how this story will end and how we will remember his role in Man of Steel in a few years from now. All in all, internal drive, optimism and self-criticism are not solely good characteristics to put in a character, but more importantly, to have for yourself.
Personal Heroes 