With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice only three months away, it only makes sense that the stars of the films are making their rounds in the press. A French magazine by the name of Studio Cine Live got their chance to speak with the stars of the titular characters, Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. The interview with Batfleck is fascinating and it was difficult to select just a few quotes, so for those of you who don’t speak the language of love, Batman-News translated the entire interview, take a look if you have the time.
Batfleck provided some extremely interesting and thoughtful responses on the character of Bruce Wayne. Affleck explains that while many stories portray his origins or the very beginnings of his crimefighting career and others show him in the middle of his career, BvS will feature Bats at the tail end of his tenure, however that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying his lifestyle. Batfleck explains that their take on the character will be incorporate the billionaire playboy aspect moreso than others before.
The magazine asked if he studied Christian Bale’s take on Bruce Wayne. Batfleck responded:
“I don’t want to compete with other incarnations, nor do I want to emulate them. Those versions belong in another universe. Christopher Nolan used his Batman to tell a finite story. My version is different, but remains faithful to the Batman mythology and all the themes associated with it. The other difference is that Nolan’s Batman isn’t part of a universe where other superheroes exist as well. Here – because we’re working towards the Justice League – there’s Superman, and it’s a world populated with super beings. This situation generates an altogether new reality.”
Speaking of comparisons, Affleck also admitted that this Bats’ pursuit of justice will be less straightforward than other incarnations, explaining that his pursuit will be “clouded by frustration, bitterness and anger.”
One of the contentious aspects of the recent trailer, aside from Doomsday, was Jesse Eisenberg’s bizarre, impish interpretation of Lex Luthor. Affleck comments that he is the “most interesting character in the film.” He says:
“He’s radically different from what we’ve seen so far. He’s grounded in reality, and he’s extraordinary. This type of film is only as good as its villain. That’s why The Dark Knight was so brilliant, because of Heath Ledger’s Joker. Jesse improves the film with each scene he’s in. He’s not your usual one-dimensional villain, there’s a whole psychology behind him.”
Henry Cavill had a less interesting interview, but I suppose space was more so dedicated to Batfleck considering the fantastic answers provided.
The magazine asked how his character has evolved from his last outing in the blue and red tights. Cavill explains that the character hasn’t changed very much, but “[h]e does however have to deal with a new set of problems because he’s now been revealed to the world.” He also added that “[t]his film is more about how the world in general – and Batman in particular – sees this alien, and less about the evolution of Superman.”
Considering how Cavill only became ace reporter Clark Kent at the very end of Man of Steel, the magazine inquired about how he plans to portray the awkward journalist.
Cavill mentions the last popular portrayal of the character, the legendary Christopher Reeve, saying:
“Comparisons with Christopher Reeve’s clumsy Clark Kent are inevitable. My Clark Kent is trying to be as small and invisible as possible. If you’re awkward and spilling things constantly, people are going to notice you, and that’s not the best way to go unseen. You have to admit, it’s not a remarkable disguise, just a pair of glasses. He’d like to think that no one will believe he could be Superman. How could such a delicate flower be a living god? Preposterous.”
He makes an interesting point about Clark wanting to remain as inconspicuous as possible, but the point was to detract everybody around him. Cavill’s last line in the above quote is likely the precise reasoning behind Reeve’s Clark. A good way to ensure that people will not connect the two.
I love Batfleck’s well thought out meditations on the character and it seems that despite everybody’s criticisms of the movie so far, miraculously, it’s Batfleck’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne that most fans can agree was likely one of the best parts of the last trailer.
What do you think?
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will out on March 25th, 2016.