Ben Affleck Responds To Batman V Superman Criticisms

It's hardly a secret that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was divisive—and that's putting it lightly. While the gritty Zack Snyder-directed superhero spectacle raked in sizable profits at the box office and DC fans seemed to somewhat enjoy it, it was lambasted by critics, earning a bleak 27 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But how does the film's titular Batman feel about the film? 

Now, a year and a half after Batman v Superman hit theaters, Ben Affleck, who played the Caped Crusader in the movie, has opened up about the backlash. In an interview with Empire to discuss the impending release of Justice League, Affleck revealed that he thinks criticisms of Batman v Superman are "fair."

"I can understand people saying [Batman v Superman] was too dark, or this was outside the tone of what I'm used to seeing with a Batman story, and I think that's a fair criticism," Affleck said in regards to comments that the film was unwelcoming in terms of tone and wasn't how most viewers wanted to see two of the biggest DC superheroes of all time. 

Affleck then assured fans that much like Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman, Justice League will be markedly lighter. "Zack [Snyder] wanted to make a movie that was more fun, that was a little bit light, that wasn't so encumbered with heavy melodrama," the actor explained. However, Affleck clarified that such an approach to Justice League was actually planned ahead of Batman v Superman's release, so the shift in atmosphere and the overall vibe is not in response to the film's criticisms. 

Affleck's Justice League co-star Gal Gadot, who plays Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, echoed his statements. "Justice League is not a dark or heavy movie," she said. "It doesn't have the weight that Batman v Superman had."

Though Batman v Superman may be a dark stain on the DC cinematic world, it could very well be washed away and forgotten when the lighter and brighter Justice League debuts on the silver screen on November 17.