Horrendous

by

Although Ben Affleck enjoyed portraying Batman in the DCEU movies, it doesn’t seem like he yearns for the chance to wear the batsuit once more, as he referred to it as “awful.” Known for playing Bruce Wayne/Batman in films such as “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Suicide Squad,” “Justice League,” and “The Flash,” Affleck initially faced a lot of criticism from fans about his casting. However, the same audience that initially doubted him eventually warmed up to his portrayal of the Dark Knight and still hopes he’ll reprise the role. But, judging by his recent comments, it doesn’t seem like Affleck is pining for another go as Batman.

In an interview with GQ about his extensive career, when the topic of 2023’s The Flash was brought up, Affleck expressed that the film featured his least favorite Batsuit. He admitted to despising not only that Batman suit but all of them, finding them uncomfortable and the least enjoyable aspect of portraying the legendary superhero. Affleck pointed out that the costume becomes unbearably hot, especially since the cowl obstructs ventilation, making it even more intolerable. He suggested that Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson may have had a more comfortable experience, but he endured misery during his tenure as Batman. Affleck elaborated on his ordeal, stating:

– “I detested wearing not just that Batman costume but all of them, finding them ‘horrendous to wear’ and ‘the least fun part’ of playing the iconic superhero.”
– “The costume gets incredibly hot, especially since the cowl blocks any airflow. I was miserable.”
– “My fellow Batman actors like Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson might have had a better time, but I endured misery while wearing the suit.

>
I found the batsuits intolerable. Wearing them is uncomfortable due to their lack of breathability. They’re designed more for appearance than comfort, which means they trap heat. Since I tend to get warm easily, wearing this suit feels like being in a sauna. To make matters worse, the cowl on top restricts ventilation even further, causing me to feel overheated. So, you can imagine how sweaty I’d be while wearing it. Essentially, it’s not just about wearing the suit; covering my head amplifies the discomfort as heat seems to escape more quickly there.

In simpler terms, even highly skilled athletes such as stuntmen, parkour performers, and action stars could only maintain their activities for approximately 45 to 50 minutes before succumbing to heat exhaustion. This made filming challenging due to the intense heat, and it also detracted from the heroic image because they became quickly tired and sweaty. In an effort to mask their discomfort, they might claim they were fine, but sweat would run down their faces like rain, making continued work difficult. The eye black, used for marking facial features, would often run as well.

Batman’s Costumes Have Always Been a Problem for Actors

Though Batman’s iconic costume is widely recognized, it has posed difficulties for movie makers. Ranging from Michael Keaton’s limited head mobility to Val Kilmer and George Clooney’s bat-like chest pieces, donning the Batman suit has frequently proved troublesome. However, it was only in The Dark Knight that filmmakers devised a solution for Batman to turn his head. Even the costume worn by Robert Pattinson is more heavily armored than its comic book counterpart.

In the movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Affleck’s Batman initially sported a traditional suit and a heavily armored look reminiscent of “The Dark Knight Returns.” Both the original version and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” depicted an armored Batman costume similar to the Night Owl from “Watchmen.” However, in the movie “The Flash,” Affleck’s Batman donned the classic blue-and-gray outfit from the comics while retaining the design from “Batman v Superman.

It’s no wonder Affleck stepped away from directing, writing, and acting in his own Batman film, seeing how uncomfortable he was in the Batsuit. The discomfort, along with personal troubles at the time, probably made filming the DCEU Batman movie a challenging experience for him. Now, Affleck has moved on from the Batman role and appears to be content with his current career path. It’s high time for fans of his portrayal to accept this change and move forward too.

Read More

2025-04-18 00:35