Hugh Jackman Defends Ben Affleck as Batman: "He's a Tough Guy"

Hollywood star has nothing but good things to say about the erstwhile Daredevil donning the Dark Knight's cape and cowl

By Josh Grossberg Sep 06, 2013 7:54 PMTags
Hugh JackmanHan Myung-Gu/WireImage

It's Wolverine to the rescue!

While making the PR rounds for his latest film, Prisoners, at the Toronto Film Festival, Hugh Jackman gave Ben Affleck a big vote of confidence when asked his thoughts about the controversy surrounding the latter being cast as Batman in Zack Snyder's upcoming sequel to Man of Steel.

"He's a Boston Kid, right? He's a tough guy," the X-Men star told MTV News.

Of course, Jackman would know a thing or two about anchoring a comic book franchise, having played Marvel's adamantium-infused superhero Wolverine in six installments.

And he has no doubt the Oscar winner has the mettle to follow in the footsteps of previous Batmen Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale and put his own spin on D.C. Comics' iconic Caped Crusader.

"I think Ben is a great actor," the 44-year-old Aussie said. "I think he's been underrated for a long time. He's obviously a great director. He's a very smart guy. That guy doesn't make decisions that aren't well thought out, that aren't great."

Fanboys have been groaning about Affleck's casting given the mediocre reception he received headlining Marvel's Daredevil in 2003—a part even the 41-year-old actor-director has previously acknowledged wasn't his best work.

But Jackman noted that, if anything, he knows Affleck well enough to believe all the criticism he's taken will only push him to work that much harder to disappoint his detractors.

"I know [Ben] a little bit and I know he's going to relish the opportunity to go and crush it," Hugh added. "I have no doubt he's going to crush it."

After starring in this summer's hit Wolverine, Jackman is slated to reprise his titular role in next year's X-Men: Days of Future Past.

As for Affleck, he's due to start shooting the Superman/Batman flick next year for a release scheduled for July 17, 2015.