Debates around which Batman is the best have been a hot topic in the fandom for a long time. Many hail Michael Keaton’s performance as the magnum opus of the masked vigilante on film. Others, though, prefer Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight as the best portrayal of the masked vigilante due to Christian Bale’s performance. There are, however, a smaller number of fans who believe Ben Affleck has been the best of them all in Zack Snyder’s DC saga. Interestingly, after an old clip of Affleck’s performance recently went viral on social media, more and more fans seemingly agree with that sentiment. However, they also think that Snyder made a mistake with his Batman direction, without which Ben Affleck would unanimously be hailed as the best Batman among all.
Fans have long appreciated Zack Snyder’s DC stint as the studio’s glory era for the magnificent movies it produced. As such, although fans initially had doubts about the transition from Christian Bale to Ben Affleck as the new Batman, that hesitation turned into acclaim once they witnessed his performance on screen. In fact, many fans went so far as to claim that Affleck had been the perfect choice for the role as the portion of Batman’s life Snyder chose to portray needed his weight and gravitas to the character. For example, both his and Henry Cavill’s performance has been widely appreciated in the Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice movie.
Not to mention, the 2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League also became a remedy for a lot of fans who were disappointed by the original movie in 2017. Regardless, one aspect of the movie fans have complained about is the voice modulator The Caped Crusader used to alter his voice to keep his identity hidden. According to most, it not only felt unnecessary but also just sounded weird for the most part. This modulation, for many, prevented them from giving Batfleck full marks for his otherwise marvelous performance.
After an old clip of his performance went viral on X, more people are seemingly nodding in agreement. As stated above, many fans have complained about the use of voice modulator in Zack Snyder’s direction. While most claimed it sounded weird, others noted that Ben Affleck’s real husky voice would have worked far better for the character, with or without the mask. Many also applauded his choice in general, saying, “Dude is Batman without trying.” A few fans claimed that while they loved Affleck’s voice without the modulation, they appreciated the modulation as well. Some, though, felt that while his raw voice sounded amazing, they preferred the modulator’s effect.
Ben Affleck’s Batman voice without the voice modulator, revealed in raw footage, made an impact on fans. Comments like, “I prefer his voice without the modulator. I get that it’s used to mask his voice, but this sounds so good,” reflect the mixed feelings fans have. The thing is, many voiced their appreciation for both styles, stating how deep, wise, mysterious, and intimidating his voice sounded with the modulator while also acknowledging the raw voice’s strong impact.
It seems like the appreciation for Batfleck only grows as days go by, and the fans’ recent reaction points to that very idea. This was possibly why many showed skepticism when the time came for Robert Pattinson to take over the franchise with 2022’s The Batman. Although Pattinson gained much love after the movie hit the theaters, he is set to reprise his role in The Batman: Part II, which is planned to start filming by the end of this year, as per Variety. If anything, fans seem to be waiting with bated breath for it.
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and The Batman are available to stream on MAX.
