Val Kilmer Wants You to 'Give Ben a Chance' as Batman

Noted thespian and screen actor Val Kilmer (currently starring onstage in his show Citizen Twain at the Pasadena Playhouse) Tweeted today: "Give Ben a chance!"

He's talking about Ben Affleck, of course, who was just announced as the new Batman for Zack Snyder's upcoming MAN OF STEEL sequel and is now facing a tumult of Internet backlash for the casting decision.

Joss Whedon echoed Kilmer's sentiments in more detail, Tweeting: "Affleck'll crush it. He's got the chops, he's got the chin -- just needs the material. Affleck & Cavill toe to toe -- I'm in."

The Hollywood Reporter writes that an analytics firm estimated that 71 percent of Tweets were negative in the first hour after the news hit the Internet. Fans have even appealed to President Barack Obama with a Change.org petition that has drawn more than 40,000 signatures to stop Affleck from appearing in the film.

But many actors have drawn criticsm over the years for unconventional casting and then surprised the masses with their performances. Take Heath Ledger as The Joker before his Oscar-winning portrayal of the iconic villain. Or Daniel Craig as James Bond.

According to the official announcement on Thurdsay, Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder's as-yet-untitled project-bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director's vision of their universe, which he established in "Man of Steel."

The studio has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015. Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent. The film will also reunite "Man of Steel" stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

Affleck recently starred in the Academy Award-winning Best Picture "Argo," which he also directed and produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in the film, as well as a number of directing honors. In 2010, he starred in and directed the hit crime thriller "The Town." His recent acting work also includes "The Company Men," "State of Play," and "Hollywoodland," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Earlier in his career, Affleck starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) "Good Will Hunting," for which he won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

What do you think? Can Affleck bring something new to the role? Is the choice terrible? Great? Let us know!

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