Frank Miller Gives Ben Affleck Precious Advice

8 years ago

Known best for his The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, Frank Miller shared his thoughts about the DCEU's Batman, as portrayed by Ben Affleck. According to Miller, Zack Snyder and all those involved in the making of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice should thank him - and for good reason, since some of the best images and moments of this year's showdown came from his novel:

I'll just say: “Thanks.” What can I say? "” he laughs "” no, actually I'll withdraw that; I'll say: “You're welcome!” (via CBM)

Frank Miller's Batman (DC Comics) — Frank Miller’s Batman (DC Comics)

Leaving this aside, Frank Miller also talked about the reboot of the Batman solo franchise, for which Affleck is set to star, write, direct, and produce. The celebrated writer remembered how, at one time, Darren Aronofsky was supposed to adapt his Batman: Year One storyline. However, the movie was scrapped because it would have been an R-rated one - just as Frank Miller envisions his Batman:

That screenplay was based on my book Batman: Year One, and yeah, it was much more down to earth. In it, a fair amount of time is spent before he became Batman, and when he went out and fought crime, he really screwed it up a bunch of times before he got it right. So it was a 90-minute origins story (via CBM).

Much of that ended in Nolan's Batman Begins.

So, according to Miller, Affleck should focus on the character’s mission, instead of focusing on toys. Of course, he wasn't talking about the various gadgets the superhero has, but about the toys sold after a superhero movie is released. A down to earth Batman, who is gritty and violent, wouldn't sell too many toys for the kids:

My dream would be to make it much smaller. To lose the toys and to focus more on the mission, and to use the city a great deal more. Because he's got a loving relationship with the city he's protecting. And unlike Superman, his connection to crime is intimate; it has been ever since his parents were murdered. And he defeats criminals with his hands. So it would be a different take. But it will never be in my hands, because it would not be a good place to make toys from. There wouldn't be a line of toys.