Batfleck

Today on the new FXX channel I came across Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, a regrettable film from 2007 and a pointless sequel to 2005’s equally regrettable (and forgettable) Fantastic Four.  But as I contemplated either finding something else to watch or taking a nap, I heard a voice that gave me pause: Captain America.

One of the titular Four, the Human Torch, was played by Chris Evans. The very same Chris Evans, in fact, who played the title role in Captain America: The First Avenger, reprised the role in Marvel’s The Avengers, and is set to appear in the sequels of each, coming up in 2014 and 2015, respectively. And that’s just what’s been locked down so far.

So if you haven’t figured out yet what this has to do with Batfleck (the hybrid name of Batman and Ben Affleck, who will play the caped crusader in an upcoming film), allow me to spell it out for you. If Chris Evans can play a role as silly and stupid as Johnny Storm (the Human Torch’s alter ego) — twice — and still be able to shake off that role to successfully bring emotional weight and depth to the charismatic, noble, trustworthy champion Steve Rogers (Captain America’s alter ego), then maybe it’s not out of the question that Affleck can discard the vestiges of his own regrettable superhero role, Daredevil, and fully embrace the complex, loyal, emotionally scarred and justice-minded (both noble and vengeful) Batman while also breathing life into the wealthy cockiness of alter ego Bruce Wayne.

Stranger things have happened.

 

/jessica