Most comic book superheroes were initially designed as having a bulked-up figure since that kind of physique suited better to their crime-fighting persona. So when it came to casting two of DC’s most sought-after superheroes, i.e. Batman and Superman, filmmakers have always cast actors with the bodybuilding ability to look the part. When choosing actors for the roles of Superman and Batman, American director Zack Snyder selected Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, respectively. However, Affleck was initially slightly intimidated by Cavill’s physical transformation.

Ben Affleck was 43 years old when he got one of the lead roles in Snyder’s 2016 film ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’. A then 32-year-old Henry Cavill who had already molded himself into Superman 3 priors to that, set the bar pretty high for Affleck. However, the two managed to pull off memorable on-screen chemistry.

Ben Affleck did everything he could to be physically equal next to Henry Cavill

In a throwback YouTube video by Luke Sherran titled, “Batman fans worried about Ben Affleck’s Size”, he collated several moments from Ben Affleck interviews where the Gone Girl actor is talking about his physical transformation and how it difficult it was for more than one reason. And standing next to Henry Cavill, all jacked up in his Superman costume, was definitely one of the reasons.

At one point he said, “That was very daunting. I thought if I have to be as good a shape as this guy, I think I’m in trouble”. Affleck who is 8 years older than Cavill was already in his 40s. Therefore, it was no mean task for him to get in shape like any of the other actors who played Batman before him. But Affleck managed to look the part just in time.

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Ben Affleck continued, “I worked out for almost a year before this movie, started to get into becoming a superhero at my age”. Affleck was chosen appropriately by Zack Snyder, who explained to him that this was an aged Batman from the comics, unlike his previous roles before him.

How Ben Affleck made himself right for the part

Affleck once narrated to Conan O’Brien, albeit humorously, about how Snyder approached him for the role. He said, “No, no, no… this guy, he’s like, he is older, and he’s really f*cked up, and he’s broken down, and he’s on the edge of moral bankruptcy…” and laughter ensues. However, Affleck still had to work extremely hard in the gym and maintain a strict diet for the role. About his food intake during that time, he said, “It was a lot of protein and not a lot of carbs, but just you know eating like 4 or 5 times a day and lifting weights for couple hours a day”.

Ben Affleck really pulled the strings on his body at a later age to commit to the role of Batman. He later returned to play his role in the Justice League, which was also released as Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and is scheduled to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie ‘The Flash’. Fans especially praised his physical dedication alongside Henry Cavill. He was recently busy with Matt Damon promoting their film ‘Air’ about Michael Jordan and how he got involved with Nike. He is about to make another biopic on NCAA wrestling legend Anthony Robles.

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