Comicbook.com Once Again Makin' Sumthin' Outta Nuthin'

It probably should come as little surprise that former Batman actor Christian Bale recently confessed to a shocked reaction when he heard someone else was taking the cape and cowl for the upcoming Batman v Superman. He was, after all, synonymous with the character for the highly successful trilogy directed by Chris Nolan. He’s also seemingly unaware that not everybody was impressed with his rendition of the character.

In an 11/23 article on Comicbook.com, a misleading headline declaring Bale’s “shock” at learning Ben Affleck got the part he supposedly reinvigorated helps establish a glaringly false premise. In fact, the article’s author presumptuously asserts that Bale was “as shocked as the rest of the world upon the announcement that Ben Affleck would assume the role of the Caped Crusader…” -

The rest of the world? Really?

Before you accuse me of being literal-minded, I’m well aware of the supposed technique being used to insult the selection of Affleck. I’m also aware that the author is basically saying anyone who wasn’t shocked has something wrong with them.

Here’s what Bale really said:

“I’ve got to admit initially, even though I felt that it was the right time to stop, there was always a bit of me going, ‘Oh go on…Let’s do another.’ So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for a half hour.”

So, what exactly caused Bale to go into shock? Was it Ben Affleck’s casting or was it the fact that the actor whose Batman movies were undeniably successful was no longer going to be playing the part?
Objectively speaking, Bale sounds more like the guy who quits a job he had for years thinking nobody would ever replace him and then finding out he had indeed been replaced.

“I’m 40. The fact that I’m jealous of someone else playing Batman…I think I should have gotten over it by now,” Bale added.

Well, maybe not. While Bale’s Batman often grated and felt flat to me, the man jumpstarted a lagging franchise into enormous popularity. And while Nolan’s Dark Knight probably wouldn’t fit into the DCU integrated storyline very well, it makes perfect sense that the man younger generations see as Batman would feel a tad slighted.

Bale shouldn’t feel bad about feeling bad. But those who are trying to use his legitimate response to be being replaced as a platform for their own snarkiness, on the other hand,  ought to just give it up.