Ben Affleck Reviewing ‘Batman v Superman’ Means Sad Affleck Is Dead

Cole Delbyck

Wed, October 5, 2016 at 11:32 AM UTC

We are gathered here today to mourn Sad Affleck. We hardly knew thee.

Ben Affleck just barely escaped from the disaster zone that was 2016. Trying to promote a movie colorfully described by one critic as “a stink bucket of disappointment” while navigating the media fallout from your highly public split is a position even Lex Luthor wouldn’t subject his most formidable foe to. Nah, too evil.

Alas, “Batman v Superman,” loved by some and hated by many more, became the film of a cultural moment. Affleck was certainly made aware of the harsh critiques, but up until now no one thought to actually ask the guy his opinion. We all just assumed he thought it sucked too.

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During an interview for his new film “The Accountant,” FOX 5’s Kevin McCarthy put forth that very question, eliciting a thoughtful and notably upbeat answer from Affleck about why the film was such a lightning rod for criticism.

“It’s interesting: It was a huge hit movie ― more people went to see that than any movie I’ve ever made in my career,” Affleck said of “Batman v Superman.” “It was the biggest hit of my career and then it had so much editorial negativity.”

“Fans went, and I got a lot of positive response. It was interesting, that movie, because it was judged not necessarily on execution so much as on its tone. People seemed to want to have a lighter tone to the movie, and I thought that was interesting,” he continued. “Tone isn’t a qualitative thing. It’s subjective, right? Some tones resonate with me that might not with you. And the tone of the movie was really parallel to the Frank Miller book, which I liked and thought was great. I’m glad that so many people went and so many people liked the movie.”

When prodded further about whether he liked the movie or not, Affleck admitted, “I loved it.”

All good sad things must come to an end.

Also on HuffPost

"Justice League: War"

This is what we hope a&nbsp;live-action Justice League film will&nbsp;be. We don't spend time with individual origin stories, because we don't need to. This is a <strong>group</strong> origin story.&nbsp;We&nbsp;meet&nbsp;these characters by way of them meeting each other.&nbsp;That's the whole basis of the Justice League: the question of whether or not this team-up will work.<br /><br />As opposed to the lengthy &ldquo;we-don&rsquo;t-need-an-editor&rdquo; big-budget films, this is resolved nicely in about an hour and 20&nbsp;minutes as the&nbsp;league&nbsp;battles the incredibly powerful Darkseid.&nbsp; <br /> <br />This is as great an introduction to the Justice League as you&rsquo;re going to get. <br /><br />(As of publishing, this is currently on Netflix.) — This is what we hope a live-action Justice League film will be. We don't spend time with individual origin stories, because we don't need to. This is a **group** origin story. We meet these characters by way of them meeting each other. That's the whole basis of the Justice League: the question of whether or not this team-up will work.

As opposed to the lengthy “we-don’t-need-an-editor” big-budget films, this is resolved nicely in about an hour and 20 minutes as the league battles the incredibly powerful Darkseid.

This is as great an introduction to the Justice League as you’re going to get.

(As of publishing, this is currently on Netflix.)

"Justice League: Throne Of Atlantis"

&ldquo;Throne of Atlantis&rdquo; begins where&nbsp;&ldquo;War&rdquo; left off. Due to the events of the Justice League&rsquo;s battle with Darkseid, Atlantis has declared war on humanity. We meet Arthur Curry, son of a lighthouse keeper who discovers that his mother is the exiled queen of&nbsp;Atlantis and that he is destined to one day rule (as Aquaman). Now, he&rsquo;s the only one who can help the Justice League stem the tide of war. — “Throne of Atlantis” begins where “War” left off. Due to the events of the Justice League’s battle with Darkseid, Atlantis has declared war on humanity. We meet Arthur Curry, son of a lighthouse keeper who discovers that his mother is the exiled queen of Atlantis and that he is destined to one day rule (as Aquaman). Now, he’s the only one who can help the Justice League stem the tide of war.

"Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox"

Perhaps the most fascinating of the bunch, "Flashpoint" is adapted from a comic written by Geoff Johns. Someone has traveled back in time drastically altering history, and Flash is the only one who knows the truth. In&nbsp;the new timeline,&nbsp;Batman is&nbsp;&hellip; different, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are at war with each other, and Superman is nowhere to be found. <br /> <br />The alternate-reality premise makes this one of the richest and most engaging DC storylines. This film can&rsquo;t be recommended enough if you&rsquo;re looking to explore a bit deeper into the DC comic universe.<br /><br />(As of publishing, this is currently on Netflix!) — Perhaps the most fascinating of the bunch, "Flashpoint" is adapted from a comic written by Geoff Johns. Someone has traveled back in time drastically altering history, and Flash is the only one who knows the truth. In the new timeline, Batman is … different, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are at war with each other, and Superman is nowhere to be found.

The alternate-reality premise makes this one of the richest and most engaging DC storylines. This film can’t be recommended enough if you’re looking to explore a bit deeper into the DC comic universe.

(As of publishing, this is currently on Netflix!)

"Son of Batman"

After being visited&nbsp;by an old flame, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, Batman discovers he has a son. Young Damian is already an incredibly skilled fighter and every bit as stubborn as his old man. The relationship that develops is fun to watch, and seeing Damian don Robin's costume is awesome.<br /><br />(As of publishing, this, too, is currently on Netflix!) — After being visited by an old flame, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, Batman discovers he has a son. Young Damian is already an incredibly skilled fighter and every bit as stubborn as his old man. The relationship that develops is fun to watch, and seeing Damian don Robin's costume is awesome.

(As of publishing, this, too, is currently on Netflix!)

"The Dark Knight Returns"

Based on the now legendary Frank Miller series of the same name, "Dark Knight Returns" depicts a retired, crotchety Bruce Wayne deciding to become Batman once again, against the wishes of ... well, everyone. <br /> <br />The political and social commentary is&nbsp;present just as it was in the comic, as is the conflicted relationship between Batman and Superman. Given that this takes place years into the future, the layers of history add a texture and depth to the characters that is lacking in&nbsp;&ldquo;Batman v Superman." — Based on the now legendary Frank Miller series of the same name, "Dark Knight Returns" depicts a retired, crotchety Bruce Wayne deciding to become Batman once again, against the wishes of ... well, everyone.

The political and social commentary is present just as it was in the comic, as is the conflicted relationship between Batman and Superman. Given that this takes place years into the future, the layers of history add a texture and depth to the characters that is lacking in “Batman v Superman."

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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