A BOSTONIAN NAMED BEN AS BATMAN. WHY ALL THE BROUHAHA?

     Generally, I write about serious subjects that, at times, boil my blood and inflame many of you who agree with me or disagree with me.   Today, however, I thought I'd have a little fun with my commentary and discuss an issue that for some reason or another seems to be getting a lot of people riled up throughout the United States and around the globe.  And quite frankly...I don't know what all the fuss is about, or - for that matter - why anybody really cares.  It is quite apparent, though, that a tremendous amount of Americans - not to mention a great deal more people worldwide - have too much free time on their hands.

     No, they're not upset about the economy, about what's going on in Syria or any other major issue facing our country and our planet today - (although of course they probably are) - but believe it or not, millions of people across the nation and around the Earth...are making an unbelievable stink...to the answer that HE...is going to be the next...BATMAN.  And to borrow a line that may be used on the television game show, Jeopardy..."Who is Ben Affleck?"  But I have another question to ask.  The overwhelming concern over what actor is going to don Batman's cape and cowl...actually matters...HOW?

     I debated with myself whether to devote an entire column on the casting of Ben Affleck as The Caped Crusader in the new Man Of Steel sequel, which is rumored to be titled Superman vs. Batman...with Henry Cavill reprising his role as the Kryptonian Kal-El.  But after reading...or at least seeing thousands... yes, literally thousands and thousands of comments - most of which are unkind and downright heartless remarks about Ben Affleck playing the part of Batman - I needed to put in my two cents...for whatever it's worth.

     What is it that has incensed more than 90,000 fans to sign a petition calling for Affleck to be removed from the motion picture project?  From network news reports to blogs and elsewhere...opinions are being expressed to get rid of the two-time Oscar winner and to re-cast the role of Batman with someone who is less famous...or...perhaps with another Hollywood superstar.  

     For months it had been rumored that Warner Bros. was leaning towards Ryan Gosling to take on the Bob Kane creation...and as a longtime fan of Gosling's, I would have applauded that selection.  But what is wrong with the pick of Ben Affleck?  What is it about Affleck that is enraging fans?  Why the barrage of offensive opinions before Affleck even speaks a word on screen?  Quite frankly, it puzzles me that bloggers have written such cruel comments about Affleck including..."This is the dumbest choice."  "This movie is going to be a disaster."  And..."I'd rather pay to see the Aflac duck play the part...than Ben Affleck."

   

  As a kid, I grew up watching Adam West and Burt Ward as The Dynamic Duo on the ABC television series of the mid 1960s...and I still enjoy watching the reruns in syndication nearly 50 years later on MeTV.  For me...Adam West's portrayal of The Caped Crusader...is and will always be the best.  

But, in the interest of full disclosure...I was fortunate to work with Adam when he was my special guest on my nationally syndicated radio program, Gary B. Duglin Talks With The Stars...and although I would not be so bold to say Adam and I are friends...I can say we enjoyed several hours of friendly fun together...and Adam's "Batman"...is number one in my book.  That being said...those of you who are already critical of the Ben Affleck appointment as the latest Batman seem to forget that the 41-year old Academy Award winning writer (Good Will Hunting) and producer (Argo), who also won the Golden Globe Award for directing (Argo)...is an ACTOR...and as it is with ALL ACTORS...they portray a role that is written and directed.

     There are many actors - who in the public's eyes - would never be able to pull off the part they had been designated to play.  Take Heath Ledger.  Many film fans could in no way imagine Ledger as The Joker.  So there was tremendous disapproval when the Oscar winning Ledger was chosen to wear the white-face make-up in The Dark Knight.  But the late Ledger put his brand, style and talent in to the character...and he triumphed as Batman's diabolical and vicious villain.  

     I can recall numerous times over the years - with motion pictures and with television - when everyone from the professional reviewers to the everyday moviegoer or TV watcher...had thought a particular actor would bomb as a character...and they turned around and made the part their own...and therefore, were extremely successful with it.  

     Case in point was when the so-called "know-it-alls" vehemently ranted about William Shatner being cast as attorney, Denny Crane - first appearing in 5 episodes of the long running David E. Kelley legal drama, The Practice  - for which Shatner won an Emmy Award...and then...as the 

star - (along with the captivating James Spader) - in the smash megahit...and one of my all-time favorite shows...Boston Legal - for which Shatner won another Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his brilliant performance as the egomaniacal, sexually ravenous, womanizing, bigwig lawyer.  However, prior to the numerous accolades that he received, I recall reading remarks and hearing comments that the television audience would - at that point in his acting career - never accept Shatner for playing anything other than Captain James T. Kirk, which of course Shatner was best known...from the television series Star Trek and its many motion picture sequels.  

     The awesome cast of Boston Legal - including James Spader, William Shatner, Candace Bergen and John Larroquette - to name only a few...was perhaps one of the most spectacular ensembles ever to be created for television.  Spader's courtroom monologues...as lawyer, Alan Shore...were some of the finest speeches...of any actor...from any television show...or from any movie...since feature length "talkies" 

began in 1927 with Al Jolson and The Jazz Singer.  But the phenomenal performances of William Shatner as Denny Crane will go down in history as one of Hollywood's outstanding character portrayals.  As impressive as each actor was in Boston Legal...without the character of Denny Crane...and without William Shatner's richly compelling and commanding force...making Denny come alive...there would have been no Boston Legal.  The friendship and "bromance" between Denny Crane and Alan Shore was by far the best buddy-pair ever created.  But as stupendous as David E. Kelley is for dreaming up such an "odd" couple... without the actors themselves - Spader and Shatner - interpreting those roles - as each of them did - Boston Legal would have not been a top-rated comedy-drama...and it never would have lasted for 5 superb seasons.

     Nobody - at least no one outside of the show business elite - ever expected Bryan Cranston to be good...in Breaking Bad...especially after playing the wholesome dad in the light, family sitcom...Malcolm In The Middle.  But...as the dangerously frightening and pathologically self-deluded Walter White...Cranston has won 3 Emmy Awards...and he has cemented himself as one of the most durable actors in television.  And like William Shatner and Bryan Cranston...Ben Affleck - and all the stars that shine in the galaxy known as Hollywood - are ACTORS.  Do you all understand that?  They are ACTORS.  And they can play all sorts of parts.

     Let's give Ben Affleck a chance.  If those of you are correct...who think he will be "awful" - as one person penned on an Internet blog - then I'll give you your..."I told you so."  But until then...let the guy make his movie.  Ben Affleck is a star who has achieved much more in a short span of time than most people in the entertainment industry accomplish throughout an entire career.  It's true that not all of Affleck's projects have been hits...but they have not all been flops either.  

     There are very few actors...who every time they come up to the plate...hit a home run.  Tom Hanks is one of the very few in today's world of actors who gives us a first-rate performance every time.  But most actors aren't able to make such a claim.  

      Ben Affleck has been...and will again be...a top-notch thespian...and he has proven himself to reach superior heights as a writer, director and producer.  

Let's see what he can do with the role of the Gotham City crimefighter...before any of you put Affleck in the category of..."he'll never work again in Hollywood."  You may just find that the phrase "I'm Batman"... sounds best....when it's uttered by a Bostonian...named Ben.
     
     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."      

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.  

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