Actor Calls Batsuit "Uncomfortable," Praises Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson for Enduring It
Ben Affleck has opened up about his challenging experience playing Batman, revealing that he “hated” wearing the iconic Batsuit during his tenure as the Dark Knight. In a candid interview with GQ, the 52-year-old actor didn’t hold back, calling the costume “horrendous to wear.”
Affleck portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), and The Flash (2022). Despite the role’s prestige, he admitted the physical toll of the suit was overwhelming.
“I hated the Batsuits. They’re hot for one thing. They don’t breathe. They’re made to look the way they want them to look. There’s no thought put into the human being. So what happens is that you just start sweating. I’m already a sweater, you know what I mean? In that thing, you’d just be pouring water.”
“It Doesn’t Make You Feel Heroic”
Affleck explained that the restrictive design made filming difficult, saying:
“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 jokingly compared himself to other actors who’ve played Batman, including Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Robert Pattinson (The Batman), quipping:
“Maybe Christian or Rob, guys like that, were just better at dealing with it.”
A Brief But Memorable Run as Batman
Affleck’s time as Batman was shorter than expected—he was originally set to direct and star in a solo Batman film before stepping away from the role. However, his portrayal remains a fan favorite, particularly in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson’s take on the character in The Batman (2022) earned critical acclaim, with a sequel, The Batman – Part II, scheduled for October 2026.
Why Batman’s Suit Is So Notorious
Affleck isn’t the first actor to struggle with the Batsuit:
- Christian Bale reportedly couldn’t hear well in the Batman Begins suit.
- Michael Keaton said he couldn’t turn his head in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989).
- Val Kilmer described the suit as “a 60-pound rubber weight.”
Despite the discomfort, Affleck’s Batman left a lasting impact—proving that even superheroes have their kryptonite.