Ben Affleck has been working hard to get into character for his new role as Batman. The 41-year-old showed off a new buff and bulky physique as he headed out in LA this week. Photographs of Ben grabbing breakfast in Brentwood were taken the day after the first still was released of him as the caped crusader.
© Photo: Getty ImagesBen Affleck showed off his bulked-up frame in LA this week
Director Zack Snyder shared a picture of Ben standing next to the Batmobile in a brooding black-and-white shot, taken on the set of the upcoming Batman vs Superman film.The movie, not due for release until May 2016, will see Ben make his debut alongside British actor Henry Cavill's Superman. The as-of-yet-untitled project is a sequel to Man Of Steel – although details of the plot remain a closely guarded secret."We're actually not sure whether the title is Superman vs Batman or Batman vs Superman but yes, it's that rematch, that combination, the two guys onscreen and that's happening," screenwriter David Goyer confirmed at San Diego ComicCon.
© Photo: TwitterDirector Zack Snyder has released the first image of Ben Affleck as Batman
Ben was initially considered to be a controversial choice to take over from Christian Bale as Batman, but the first photo of him in character has had a positive reception. Fans and critics, including Rolling Stones' Jon Blistein, have said they are pleased to see the character still portrayed as the "brooding Batman we've come to know and love".The actor has spoken in the past about the controversy his casting caused when it was announced last summer.Laughing off the backlash, Ben said he was a "big boy" who can handle the criticism."When you get into the arena of those kinds of movies, these superhero movies, particularly ones that are working with characters that everyone's known for so long, everybody's got these strongly held opinions and preconceived ideas about what it should be," he told Entertainment Weekly.
© Photo: Getty ImagesBen Affleck has laughed off criticism of his casting in the superhero film
"At the same time, I don't think those projections about something that has happened yet are all that meaningful."I think, at the end of the day, it's like any other movie or project: you go out and make it great, people will say it's great. If you go out and miss, you'll hear about it. "The stuff beforehand is kind of just the noise that happens."
