Ben Affleck Discusses the Challenges of the Batsuit
The Physical Toll of the Batsuit
In a recent interview with GQ, actor Ben Affleck opened up about the exhausting experience of donning the Batsuit during his time as Batman. Affleck expressed his discontent, stating, “I hated the Batsuits. The Batsuits are horrendous to wear.”
He elaborated on the suit’s design flaws, highlighting that it’s “hot” and lacks breathability, which contributes to a physically draining experience. “There’s no thought put into the human being. So what happens is that you just start sweating,” he explained. Affleck, who is prone to sweating, described how the costume exacerbated this issue, resulting in him feeling constantly overheated.
Affecting Performance and Morale
Affleck further explained how the discomfort of the suit affected the filmmaking process. “It just made it difficult to make the movie, because you’re so hot. It also does not make you feel very heroic, because you’re instantly exhausted and really sweaty,” he remarked with a chuckle. He expressed admiration for his fellow actors, suggesting that perhaps other portrayals of Batman, like those of Christian Bale or Robert Pattinson, managed the challenges of the costume with greater ease.
Affleck’s Role in the DC Universe
Affleck portrayed Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, in several films including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Flash, and Justice League, along with the extended version titled Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Critiques of Batman’s Costume Evolution
The Batsuit has faced criticism beyond just wearability. The original director of the Batman franchise, Tim Burton, voiced his disdain for the so-called “Batnipple” suit worn by George Clooney in Batman & Robin. Speaking to Empire in 2022, Burton expressed his frustration with the added elements by saying, “I was like, ‘Wait a minute. Okay. Hold on a second here. You complain about me, I’m too weird, I’m too dark, and then you put nipples on the costume? Go fuck yourself.’” He contrasted the visual design of Clooney’s suit with his own stylistic choices that led to his departure from the series.