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Tag: Batman

  • Ben Affleck Gets Advice from “Batman” Predecessor Christian Bale

    Ben Affleck Gets Advice from “Batman” Predecessor Christian Bale

    Ben Affleck got some sage advice from an actor who played the role before him. Christian Bale shared some of his wisdom with the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice star recently.

    It was while walking the red carpet at the New York City premiere of the film that Ben Affleck shared the story.

    “I ran into him at a costume shop when we were both buying costumes for our kids and we talked,” Affleck said of Christian Bale.

    So what was the advice proffered to Ben Affleck from his “Batman” predecessor?

    “Make sure they put a zipper in the suit!” Affleck said at Sunday’s premiere.

    Christian Bale recently admitted that even though he gave up playing Batman in 2012, he felt twinges of jealousy when learning Ben Affleck was taking over the role.

    “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,’” Bale told Empire magazine. “So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for half an hour.”

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

    If he isn’t, there’s not much he can do about it now. Ben Affleck will soon appear in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice when it opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.

  • Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Together for First Time Since Her Revealing Interview–Ben Dresses as Batman for Son’s Birthday Party

    Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were together on Saturday for the first time since her revealing interview, in which she divulged she knew Ben Affleck cheated on her with nanny Christine Ouzounian–but that the nanny wasn’t the cause of their divorce.

    “Let me just tell you something. We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny. She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. She was not a part of the equation,” Garner said in a recent interview. “Bad judgment? Yes. It’s not great for your kids for [a nanny] to disappear from their lives.”

    Jennifer Garner admitted she’s “had to have conversations,” with the couple’s three children, Violet, Seraphina and Samuel, “about the meaning of ‘scandal.’”

    Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck presented a united front at their son Samuel’s fourth birthday party. The party theme was “superheroes,” and Ben Affleck stepped up to the plate to bring the theme to life. Affleck dressed up as Batman for the festivities.

    “He wanted a superhero birthday party and he wanted superheroes there, and I was like, ‘Alright, what heroes do you want?’ He’s ticking off heroes and he was like, ‘I want you to do Batman…real Batman!’” Ben Affleck said while chatting with Jimmy Kimmel during his post-Oscars special on Sunday night.

    Ben Affleck allegedly brought a “gift” to Jimmy Kimmel prior to that interview, when he smuggled Matt Damon onto the show.

    Both Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck attended the Oscars–however they didn’t attend together.

    Despite the scandal that has rocked their lives, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner truly seem to put their children’s well-being ahead of all else.

    Kudos to Ben Affleck for swallowing his pride and dressing up like Batman for son Samuel’s fourth birthday. That is no doubt something their little boy will never forget.

  • Adam West, the ‘Original’ Batman, to Make An Appearance On 200th Episode of ‘Big Bang Theory’

    Adam West, the ‘Original’ Batman, to Make An Appearance On 200th Episode of ‘Big Bang Theory’

    Adam West, the original Batman from the campy-classic 1960s series, will make an appearance during Big Bang Theory‘s 200th episode.

    According to UPI, West, 87, will play himself in the episode alongside fellow guest stars Christine Baranski, John Ross Bowie, Sara Gilbert and Wil Wheaton, who will play himself as well.

    The plot of the episode on CBS is being held tightly under wraps.

    According to Yahoo News, West and his Bruce Wayne character has been the subject of many discussions on the show. Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons) often mimics the voice and Howard (Simon Helberg) has dressed up as the character. West was mentioned when Penny (Kaley Cuoco) revealed that she has no idea who he is, much to the disappointment of her nerdy friends.

    Other notable guests to have made an appearance as themselves on Big Bang Theory include Stan Lee, Bob Newhart, George Takei, Katee Sackhoff, Leonard Nimoy, Stephen Hawking and Summer Glau, among others.

    The landmark episode of the Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Steve Molaro series will air Thursday night on CBS.

    Who’s totally psyched to see Adam West come to The Big Bang Theory?

  • Ben Affleck the ‘Best Batman’ Yet, Says Kevin Smith

    When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters on March 25th, we will finally get a look at a new Batman – Ben Affleck.

    So, how will he stack up against the Batmans of the past? Very well, according to director and friend Kevin Smith.

    “My bible is The Dark Knight Returns and Ben’s Batman looks like Frank Miller’s Batman,” Smith said in an interview at the Sundance Film Festival.

    “So right away, he’s the best-looking Batman we’ve ever seen. And he’s moving the way the character moves in the comics – like punching out six people in the span of two seconds. So Zack Snyder is kind of nailing that version of it.”

    But Batman is only part of the character. Playing Bruce Wayne can be even trickier.

    In 2 months, the bat of Gotham goes to war. #WhoWillWin #BatmanvSuperman

    Posted by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on Monday, January 25, 2016

    “But the hardest thing to do about Batman is not Batman,” says Smith. “The hardest thing to nail about Batman is Bruce Wayne – cause that’s where you got no mask and you have to be a human being not just somebody who’s punching people.

    “But that dude is Bruce Wayne, so he’s born to play that role. So everything I’ve seen so far … I think he’ll be our best Batman. And I’m not just saying that cause like, I know the guy and stuff – I haven’t spoken to him in years. I’ve always loved him as a actor and the things I’ve seen in him of Batman, I’m like goddamnit.

    Check out Smith talking about Affleck and Batman (and even Daredevil) below:

    Smith directed Affleck in Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jersey Girl.

  • Batman Is Not an Original Costume, Google’s Halloween Search Map Confirms

    Batman Is Not an Original Costume, Google’s Halloween Search Map Confirms

    So you wanna be the caped crusader for Halloween this year? How about Darth Vader? A pirate?

    Just don’t. Be more original.

    Google has used its billions of daily searches to create a new interactive trends map. It’s calling it “Frightgeist” (hah) and it lets you look at the most-popular Halloween costume searches in cities all across the country.

    “With Frightgeist,we went on a hunt to find the most popular costumes. Pulling from the top 500 costume searches in the United States, Frightgeist uses Google Trends to tell you what’s trending at a costume party near you and help you find a costume that’s sure to turn heads – if they have them. Before you go chopping up a perfectly good white bedsheet, pick something a bit more unique this year,” says Google.

    Screen Shot 2015-10-23 at 11.05.33 AM

    So, if you’re looking to avoid showing up the bar dressed like everyone else, this could help.

    Of course, this is only search data – so there’s no guarantee that the increased search volume led to actual costume choices.

    But it’s pretty cool. Go check it out.

  • Yvonne Craig, Best-Known as Batgirl in the 1960s ‘Batman’ Series, Has Died At 78

    Yvonne Craig, who played the sexy, crime-fighting Batgirl in the 1960s iconic television series Batman, has died at the age of 78.

    According to her family, Yvonne Craig died Monday at her Los Angeles home from complications from breast cancer.

    Craig began her career as the youngest ballet dancer of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, with which she toured for three years.

    Venturing to Hollywood, she appeared in a 1958 episode of Perry Mason, followed by a role in the 1959 feature The Young Land.

    Craig became a familiar face to television, taking on a variety of television roles as well as co-starring in two 1960s Elvis Presley films, It Happened at the World’s Fair and Kissin’ Cousins.

    But it was Craig’s portrayal of Batgirl, and her alter ego Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, that has defied time. What may come as a surprise to some old school Batman aficionados is that she only appeared in the 1967-68 season of the ABC hit.

    She also appeared in an episode of the original Star Trek series, in which she played the green Orion Slave Girl who wanted to kill Captain Kirk.

    Her many other TV appearances included Dobie Gillis, ’77 Sunset Strip, Dr. Kildare, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Mod Squad, Love, American Style, Kojak and The Six Million Dollar Man.

    Yvonne Craig’s most recent gig was lending her voice to the role of Grandma in the recent Nickelodeon cartoon series Olivia.

  • Ben Affleck Was Not Convinced He Should Be Batman Either

    When Ben Affleck was announced as the new Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, fans of the more recent Batman films and comics alike were livid. The Batman franchise had already suffered from casting Val Kilmer and George Clooney as the Dark Knight. Then came Christian Bale, whom almost everyone accepted as a good fit.

    Why in the world would the Universe foist Ben Affleck on us as Batman?

    It turns out that Ben Affleck was not so sure of the choice himself.

    “My first reaction was, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Affleck told Entertainment Weekly. “At the time I was 40, 41, and had just finished Argo, and I felt like ‘This seems like a strange way to get to Batman.’”

    It turns out that Affleck has an ulterior motive for taking the role. He wanted to dig deeper into big-budget production. So many of his films have hd nowhere near the budget as a superhero flick gets.

    “I thought if I was going to direct a movie like this, which I would like to do at some point, I need to have something of a refresher course of how these movies are done,” says Affleck, who is rumored to be looking at directing a standalone Batman flick once this one blows over.

    Of course, he would cast himself as Batman again.

    Ben Affleck highlights his acting choices and the direction of the Bruce Wayne side of Batman.

    “He really keeps up the image of the playboy, actively,” Affleck said. “So you have more of a dichotomy which I thought was really fun, and a little sad, like the aging playboy.”

    With the recent announcement of Affleck’s split with Jennifer Garner, his turn as Batman is now under even deeper scrutiny. If he hopes to do a standalone Batman film in the future, he will have to convince fans that it is better than his Daredevil. That film was also much-maligned.

    Maybe Ben Affleck should stay away from superhero films. He seems to be much better liked doing deeper roles anyway.

  • Jack Nicholson Gives Internet The Best Reaction To Jared Leto’s Joker

    Jack Nicholson may not have been the original Joker, but he certainly gave Batman fans a memorable performance as the deranged villain in Tim Burton’s version of the story. With the arrival of a new film based in that universe–Suicide Squad–fans have been clamoring for photos of the new characters, but the first one to be released was underwhelming to a lot of loyal Bat-Fans. Now, Nicholson has given us a “reaction” to the photo–of Jared Leto as a screaming, tattooed version of the Joker–and it’s making the rounds on the web this week after going viral.

    Sure, YouTube user Tonimcee edited some emotional scenes from About Schmidt to look like Nicholson was reacting to the photo, but it’s still a pretty good bit. It’s unclear how Jack really feels about Leto’s take on the villain, but Twitter isn’t being shy about voicing opinions on how the film will turn out, especially after new photos were released over the weekend showing the majority of the cast, including Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot.

    Despite some trepidation from fans about how close the film will stay to the comics, there’s still a lot of buzz surrounding the cast, with many excited to see what the studio will do with it. More images from the set have been released that show Robbie in full costume, menacingly carrying a baseball bat across her shoulders as she stalks around in tiny shorts and high heels.

  • Lesley Gore of 1963’s ‘It’s My Party’ Fame Dies at 68

    Lesley Gore, probably known best for her 1963 hit song ‘It’s My Party,’ died Monday morning in New York City of cancer at the age of 68. Raised Lesley-Sue Goldstein, she was just 17 in 1963 when she became a recording artist and singing sensation on the American pop scene.

    In addition to ‘It’s My Party,’ Lesley Gore had a total of four hit singles in 1963. In 1965 she recorded another big hit, written by then-brand-new composer Marvin Hamlisch. ‘Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows’ was a huge hit for both Hamlisch and Gore.

    Back in 2005, Lesley Gore talked about her excitement over ‘It’s My Party.’

    “We recorded [it] on a Saturday afternoon, March 30, and I heard the record for the first time on April 6. I was driving to school, literally seven days later … so when it started getting played, we weren’t prepared for it. We didn’t even know it had been released,” she said. “When we left the studio, everyone was pleased, but even the president of the company, a wonderful father-like figure, Irving Green, said, ‘Now, sweetheart, if this never gets released, I don’t want you to be disappointed.’ And I said, ‘It’s okay, this has been a great experience. I enjoyed it and I thank you for that, and it’s okay if you never release it.’ I never thought it would see the light of day.”

    Gore went on to graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, but her recording career suffered because of it. She enjoyed a foray into acting, however, in the role of Pussycat on the hit TV show Batman.

    In the 1990s, Lesley Gore enjoyed the nostalgia fame that saw her performing at fairs and small arenas. ‘It’s My Party’ was popular once again.

    “It’s amazing,” she told People magazine back in 1992, “to see 4-year-olds lip-synching ‘It’s My Party.’ ”

    Lesley Gore is survived by Lois Sasson, her partner of more than three decades, as well as her mother and a brother.

  • Adam West Talks New Batman Movies At Comic Con

    Adam West was the star of the Batman television show that was popular in the 60s.

    He recently talked about the Batman character and how it has changed over the years. He also admitted that he hasn’t even watched any of the new Batman moves because he thinks they are too dark.

    “I’ve seen bits and pieces. I’ve never really watched any of them through. Not that I’m bored, but I haven’t. I just feel because I am not a critic, I don’t want to comment on how good or bad they are, or other aspects. I just feel that they have so much available to do those movies and the guys who play Batman are really wonderful in their own ways as performers. So, I can’t criticize the movies. They are too dark for me. Too violent. I think I am sort of stuck on playing Batman with an edge of humor… And I feel that the relationships should be warmer and appeal to an entire family spectrum,” he said of the films during a speech at Comic Con.

    West also said that because he doesn’t watch the movies he can’t pick a favorite Batman actor.

    “I can’t play favorites. It wouldn’t be very nice.The only one I like is myself,” he joked.

    While West may not be willing to watch any of the new Batman films, he might enjoy watching himself in the old television Batman series.

    Batman: The Complete Series was released for the first time on DVD and Blu-ray this week.

    “I’m thrilled. Warner Bros. and Fox got together and Warner Bros. re-mastered our entire television series and movie,” West said of the series. “I’m telling you, it’s a work of art. It’s beautiful. … I’ve never been lovelier.”

    Who is your favorite Batman actor?

  • Adam West: ‘Terribly Typecast’ After Batman, But Glad He Did It

    There have been a lot of actors who played Batman, some who probably shouldn’t have. But even those who were in much-derided installments of the films were able to walk away and do other things. They weren’t forever known as The Guy Who Played Batman.

    George Clooney wasn’t held to the cape and cowl. Maybe that’s because most of us want to forget that he ever did it in the first place.

    Val Kilmer has done other things. Not much, maybe, but he’ll be thought of as Iceman much more often than as Batman.

    Christian Bale? His Batman will be remembered fondly, and maybe sooner than some of his roles. But he can still do pretty much whatever he wants.

    Ben Affleck? We won’t even start that debate here.

    But poor Adam West? That guy is Batman. Sure, he also does himself, after a fashion, as Mayor of Quahog on Family Guy. But he’s doing a nearly-senile version of the camp that was his Batman series.

    Adam West recently talked about his tenure as the Caped Crusader. When he first got offered the part, he was of two minds.

    “I thought, ‘I’m trying to have a serious career,’” he told the Seattle Times. But then he read a couple of scripts.

    “I fell down laughing,” said West. “I said, ‘I have got to do that.’ It was easy. Your sense memory comes back to when you were a kid playing Batman.”

    “From the moment I read that first script by Lorenzo Semple Jr., I said, ‘Sign me up.’ I found it so amusing, so incredibly funny, but so exciting for kids that I just wanted the chance to cook with that character.”

    Many people who have watched West’s turn as Batman both as kids and then again later as adults remark that it is really a grown-up show with adult humor.

    “It was an absurdist comedy and a social satire,” said West. “We worked very hard to shape it in that direction — fun for the kids and exciting for adults who could get the laughs.”

    West does admit that the character hung on him for a long time.

    “There were a number of times that happened,” West said. “You get terribly typecast playing a character like that. But in the overall, I’m delighted because my character became iconic and has opened a lot of doors in other ways, too.”

    West has learned to embrace the role he is best known for. He has a fan base that continues to grow, even thoguh the show was originally done in the 1960s. It plays in re-runs even today.

    “It was a classy show,” said West. “I have become convinced that everything that is classy doesn’t go away.”

    “People love Batman, and I would be stupid, I would be a fool if I didn’t love Batman,” said West. “ There is no better way to keep a career going and keep your fans.”

    Given how much fun his version of Batman was, does West ever grieve over how dark the character originally was, or how dark he has been portrayed on film since then?

    “I don’t even think about that stuff,” he said. “They have the Dark Knight. I was the Bright Knight.”

  • Adam West, the Beloved TV Batman, Recalls the Early Days When He Was ‘the Bright Knight’

    Adam West, like most young kids of his generation, devoured Batman comic books growing up and loved playing Batman and Robin with other kids.

    “Then I forgot about it,” said West in a phone interview to The Seattle Times.

    It was many years later when West received a phone call about playing the DC Comics’ superhero in a Television series, that Batman would again enter his life for good.

    West, 86, said he thought the idea was a little ludicrous at first.

    “I thought, ‘I’m trying to have a serious career,’” he remembered.

    But, after reading the scripts for the first two episodes, he changed his mind.

    “I fell down laughing,” said West. “I said, ‘I have got to do that.’ It was easy. Your sense memory comes back to when you were a kid playing Batman.”

    He reiterated how important that first interview was for him in an interview with U-T San Diego.

    “From the moment I read that first script by Lorenzo Semple Jr., I said, ‘Sign me up.’ I found it so amusing, so incredibly funny, but so exciting for kids that I just wanted the chance to cook with that character.”

    Warner Home Video has released the entire series, which also starred Burt Ward as Robin, Alan Napier as butler Alfred and Neil Hamilton as the police commissioner, for the first time on Blu-ray and DVD. The set features all 120 episodes, which have been digitally remastered, as well as some added features.

    “It was a classy show,” said West. “I have become convinced that everything that is classy doesn’t go away.”

    The show became a huge hit and was renowned for its slap-stick humor.

    “It was an absurdist comedy and a social satire,” said West. “We worked very hard to shape it in that direction — fun for the kids and exciting for adults who could get the laughs.”

    West said he still enjoys participating in conventions such as Comic-Con in San Diego.

    “People love Batman, and I would be stupid, I would be a fool if I didn’t love Batman,” said West. “There is no better way to keep a career going and keep your fans.”

    Neither Tim Burton nor Christopher Nolan ever asked West to be in either the Batman movies, he said, but he doesn’t worry doubt that.

    “I don’t even think about that stuff,” he said. “They have the Dark Knight. I was the Bright Knight.”

  • Batman V Superman Comic Con Trailer Leaked

    You’ve got to hand it to Warner Bros. and DC Comics: They know how to get people excited for the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie.

    An amazing feat since most skeptics worried that it would be a bloated failure, a desperate attempt to jump-start the sort of success achieved by their rivals over at Marvel Studios.

    Heck, it still might be a bloated failure, but we’ll have to wait until 2016 to know for sure.

    After the Batman v. Superman panel at San Diego Comic Con, tongues are wagging and fanboys are quite giddy. It looks like DC achieved the intended effect.

    First up was the revelation of Gal Gadot as the iconic Wonder Woman.

    While most believed the look was impressive, there were still concerns about her build. We’ll have to wait and see how Gadot does in the film.

    Then there was what everyone was hoping and praying for: A movie teaser trailer!

    The lights went dark and a short clip from the Batman v Superman movie played.

    For those who haven’t seen the trailer and aren’t interested in hunting the leaked version down, this is what happens.

    The trailer begins with Batman in the rain on the roof of a building. It’s night time.

    Batman pulls a tarp off something. After switching on the power, that “something” is revealed to be the Bat-Signal.

    Batman’s eyes are glowing (just like the animated Batman, a first for the character in movies) and he appears to be wearing an armored suit.

    The light shines into the night sky and we see the signal rests on…Superman! Superman is floating in the air, and he activates his heat vision.

    I dare say he looks almost villainous.

    UPDATE: Here is a leaked version of the trailer that was uploaded to YouTube. Enjoy!

    Image via YouTube

  • Batman V Superman, Dawn Of Justice: Henry Cavill As Clark Kent Photo Released

    Holy Clark Kent, Batman! The first look of Henry Cavill as Clark Kent in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been released for those on the internet. And the internet is pleased.

    “He looks REALY, REALY AWESOME!! This movie is GOING TO ROCK!!” one comment said. “Eye candy :)” expressed another. Are they right? Is this the movie to placate those fans who have always wanted two of D.C.’s biggest heroes to share the screen?

    The Motely Fool says “no”. Why? Even though the stakes are high for Time Warner and Warner Brothers Studios. The very premise of the movie has three major flaws. First there are too many heroes and villains. Movies that are one on one hero versus villain have done better in the past.

    The Avengers is the exception that proves the rule of their second point. All of the major character who appeared in that movie already had origins movies of their own. Man of Steel only featured Superman. Batman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Lex Luthor, Nightwing, and Wonder Woman were not featured in that world. Third, David S. Goyer and Zack Snyder have made some pretty questionable creative decisions in the past. After all, Man of Steel only ranks 55% with critics at Rotten Tomatoes.

    Still. It’s a good looking photo.

    According to CNN it was taken to support the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, an organization which helps U.K. veterans. Henry Cavill is one of their biggest supporters.

    As for Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, the release date is set for May 6th, 2016. However, there apparently is a leak of a trailer online that is supposed to be shown at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con.

    You can take a look for yourself here:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • Ben Affleck: Is Gambling Getting out of Hand?

    It may be getting a bit worrisome that Ben Affleck is spending so much time gambling these past few months.

    And it looks like his wife, Jennifer Garner, is not relishing his time away from family to indulge in his favorite pastime.

    According to Star magazine, the Batman v. Superman actor’s latest gambling obsession has started to upset Garner, leading her to cancel a planned family trip to Detroit over the summer.

    “Jen canceled her trip. She just doesn’t want to be Ben’s enabler or babysitter,” said a source. “She was absolutely mortified about the Las Vegas incident, and everything has really gone downhill since then.

    Garner is allegedly infuriated with the Argo actor because he reportedly stays up all night betting thousands and then he sleeps all day.

    “She’s completely distraught over Ben’s problems,” said the source. “It’s a never-ending roller coaster.”

    This comes two months after the Oscar-winner was banned from blackjack tables by several Las Vegas casinos for card counting.

    On May 31, the 41-year-old actor was spotted at Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino in Windsor, Ontario, not looking his best.

    “Ben walked in and went straight to the card games,” said an eyewitness. “His hair was a disaster, and he looked like a mess! He sat down and played for roughly 20 minutes before security heard he was there. They made the dealers stop what they were doing and asked him to leave. Ben seemed pretty mad.”

    Another eyewitness at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit noticed Affleck on May 24 during the same trip.

    “It took me a minute to realize it was Ben Affleck,” the second eyewitness told Star. “He looked disheveled and upset while sitting there gambling. He seemed really frazzled like he had just lost a ton of money. He was smoking a cigarette and his head was down in his arms. When he sat up his eyes looked bloodshot, like he’d been there all night!”

    Affleck checked into rehab in 2001 for an addiction to alcohol, but fell off the wagon nine years later. His latest habit raises the question whether he may need to seek treatment once again for a gambling addiction.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • “Man Of Steel 2”: Title Announced For Sequel

    “Man Of Steel 2”: Title Announced For Sequel

    With DC quickly pumping as many characters into the upcoming Man of Steel sequel as possible, it was no longer practical to expect the sequel to be titled Superman vs Batman.

    Today it was announced that the movie will be called Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

    *cringes involuntarily*

    Okay, okay.

    It’s not a terrible movie title.

    It’s just embarrassingly obvious that DC and Warner Bros. are not too subtly trying to jump-start a movie universe full of their characters in the vein of the Marvel Studios comic book universe. It’s also obvious that these companies, rather than taking the time to plan and establish character storylines and movies to continue through a period of decades, is trying to cut corners.

    Between this and writer David Goyer’s recent comic-related comments, it’s easy to have concerns that the title is just the tip of this project’s problematic iceberg.

    Speaking of the title, can we even be sure it’s a sequel at this point? I mean…it’s Batman’s name out in front.

    That leaves the Man of Steel sandwiched between the Dark Knight and the Justice league. Safe to say it looks and sounds like he’s being squeezed out of his own movie.

    The Justice League movie is expected to hit theaters in 2018.

    This prequel-sequel is tasked with continuing the momentum of the Nolan Batman trilogy (which, despite its success is not related to this latest movie) and the Man of Steel (which ruined so much of the Superman mythology, it’s a wonder there’s anything reparable going forward).

    Despite the early concerns, the 2016 movie could manage to bring everything together in a plausible and enjoyable manner. A “flop” would be disastrous and send DC and WB back to the drawing board for not just one, but potentially all of their movie-related efforts.

    No doubt fans are hoping against hope that this is a “dawn” of a wonderful era for DC-comic films.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ben Affleck Banned For Life From Vegas Casino

    Hard Rock Cafe in Los Vegas has banned actor Ben Affleck for life from playing blackjack after security officers accused him of “being too good”, a source told The New York Post Friday.

    Some reports said that Affleck allegedly was counting cards, which involves remembering which cards have already been played to determine the odds of whether or not to place a high bet. Counting cards isn’t illegal but many casinos forbid it, and it’s apparently grounds for getting banned for life.

    “Card counting is perfectly legal,” said Colin James of BlackjackApprenticeship.com. “You’re just using your brain. But the casinos don’t like it because they know if you play long enough you’ll take their money.”

    The Batman star and his wife, actress Jennifer Garner, were on a little couple getaway when the incident took place.

    “Ben was told that he cannot ever play blackjack at the Hard Rock again,’’ the source said. “He was there with Jen on Tuesday night for a romantic break before he headed off to Detroit to shoot Batman vs. Superman.”

    “He was playing blackjack at a high-rollers table on Tuesday and was doing pretty well. He is really smart and a great blackjack player.

    “Suddenly, managers approached Ben and told him. ‘You are playing too well. You are going to have to stop playing blackjack. You can play any other game at the Hard Rock, but you are banned from playing blackjack in our casino.’’’

    “What he was doing isn’t ­illegal. He’s basically an ‘advantaged player’ because he knows what he’s doing,” said the source.

    “Card counting is perfectly legal,” said Colin James of BlackjackApprenticeship.com.

    “You’re just using your brain. But the casinos don’t like it because they know if you play long enough you’ll take their money,” said James. “He and Jen decided to leave, and security arranged for a car service to take them back to their hotel.”

    Hard Rock Cafe told Affleck he can visit the casino in the future but just not anywhere near the blackjack tables.

    Apparently Affleck may have tried this gambling tactic before and is an extremely talented card player.

    In 2001, he won $800,000 at the Hard Rock’ blackjack tables by playing three $20,000 hands in one night.

    A spokesman for Affleck declined comment.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jason Momoa Rumored to Appear in Batman vs. Superman

    The actor who portrayed Khal Drogo on HBO’s Game of Thrones might be joining the cast of Zack Snyder’s upcoming Batman vs. Superman film. Jason Momoa has been rumored to have signed on for the Man of Steel sequel, possibly playing DC Comics superhero Aquaman.

    Batman-News.com has speculated that Momoa had joined the Batman vs. Superman cast months ago, to appear alongside Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Though, Momoa has repeatedly denied the rumor, telling IGN, “It’s just rumors. I want to say something amazing, but I can’t comment on rumors. It’s flattering. I’m not involved in it.”

    Momoa again denied any involvement in the Snyder production during an interview in January. “I get it all the time. It’s just a rumor. It’s just rumors. I swear. Man to man. You can punch me in the face. You’re allowed to punch me in the face. It’s a flattering rumor, but…,” Momoa commented.

    Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa, 34, hails from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is best known for his roles in the fantasy series Stargate Atlantis and Game of Thrones. He’s recently written, directed and produced the feature Road to Paloma, also starring alongside wife Lisa Bonet, which is set to be released in July. Momoa received his signature facial scar in 2008 after being slashed in the face during a bar fight in Hollywood. The actor received roughly 140 stitches during reconstructive surgery.

    Momoa as Khal Drogo in action (GRAPHIC):

    While it’s been rumored that Affleck buddy Matt Damon might take on the role of Aquaman, some fans see Momoa as a better fit for the part:

    In related news, Zack Snyder has just been chosen by Warner Bros. to direct a Justice League movie.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Zack Snyder to Direct New ‘Justice League’ Movie

    DC Comics and its parent company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, have been trying for years now to catch up with Disney and Marvel in the film industry. Though adaptations of smaller DC imprint titles such as A History of Violence, V for Vendetta, and RED have found some success on the big screen, more mainstream comic properties such as Green Lantern and Superman Returns simply haven’t matched the huge box office successes of Marvel’s Iron Man, Avengers, and Captain America movies. Only Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy stands out as a wildly successful DC movie property in recent decades.

    From this perspective it is no surprise that Warner Bros. is looking to make Zack Snyder, the director of last year’s hit Man of Steel, the linchpin of its DC Comics movie initiative. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Snyder has been chosen by Warner Bros. to direct an upcoming Justice League movie.

    The report was confirmed by Warner Bros. via its Twitter page:

    A screenplay for the movie has yet to be written, though Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are confirmed as characters in the movie. A release date has also not been set and Warner Bros. President of Worldwide Production Greg Silverman told the Wall Street Journal that the movie likely won’t hit theaters until at least 2018.

    In the meantime DC and Warner Bros. will continue preparing for the Snyder-directed Man of Steel sequel, currently dubbed Batman Vs. Superman and scheduled for a 2016 release. That movie will see Henry Cavill return as Superman and Ben Affleck make his debut as Batman. Jesse Eisenberg will also appear in the movie as Superman baddie Lex Luthor and Israeli actress Gal Gadot will be playing Wonder Woman.

    As core members of the Justice League in the comics, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are all expected to make an appearance in the Justice League movie. Cyborg has also been rumored as a character for both Batman Vs. Superman and Justice League. Other prominent Justice League members that could appear include Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern, who was played by Ryan Reynolds in a 2011 movie.

    Image via YouTube

  • San Francisco Batkid Throws First Pitch at Giants Game

    Miles Scott, better known as the famous Batkid, made a grand appearance Tuesday at the Giants stadium in California.

    The 5-year-old boy, whose leukemia is on remission, became San Francisco’s superhero in 2013 through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

    The Greater Bay Area made a rendition of Gotham City and designed a stage of crimes where Batkid had to save the day, including the team’s mascot, Lou Seal, and a damsel in distress. President Obama left Batkid an endearing video message and the mayor even presented the miniature superhero with keys to the city.

    Ever since then, Batkid’s stardom has taken off.

    Tuesday’s event, however, was more of a celebration for the Giants’ home opener and game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

    Batkid was chosen as the honorary pitcher for the team and had the chance to throw out the first pitch during the ceremony.

    He arrived at the park in a Batmobile styled Lamborghini, which he helped steer inside the arena.

    Check out this Vine showing his impressive entrance:

    As Batkid exited from the driver’s seat, he fixed his superhero helmet and waved to the roaring crowd. He was then greeted by baseball player and Giants pitcher Matt Cain and was led to the mound.

    While alongside his partner Batman, he threw the first pitch.

    It bounced off the ground a few times before making it to Cain, but there’s no denying that the kid has a strong arm for his age!

    Cain and Batkid ended their bonding moment with some final snapshots and then San Francisco’s superhero fist pumped goodbye to the crowd.

    Check out the full video here:

    Image via YouTube

  • Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate Out Today On Consoles, PC

    Did you play last year’s mostly excellent Batman Arkham Origins? Were you biting at the chomp to see what happened next? Unfortunately, you couldn’t unless you owned a Vita or 3DS as Arkham Origins Blackgate was a handheld exclusive title. Well, no more, as Warner Bros. games joins the increasing number of developers that rerelease a handheld game on a console with updated visuals and gameplay.

    Warner Bros. sent word that Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition is now available on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. It’s the same game that came to handhelds last year, but with a few big improvements. Namely among them is that the original games terrible maps have been redesigned. No longer will players have to turn their Vita/3DS on the side and decipher ancient Sumerian script to see where they need to go.

    Alongside some much needed gameplay improvements, the game will also sport a few new outfits for Batman. Like in past console releases, you can live out your dream of taking down the villains that inhabit Blackgate Prison as 1960s Batman. You know you want to.

    With Batman Arkham City Blackgate Deluxe Edition, console gamers will finally have everything they need to prepare themselves for the release of Batman Arkham Knight later this year.

    Image via GamersPrey/YouTube