BEN AFFLECK AS BATMAN?

Fans rained a torrent of criticism down upon the internet

just minutes after Warner Bros. announced it had cast Ben Affleck as the next Batman

in its upcoming Batman vs. Superman tentpole, with more than 30 petitions springing up on Change.com to remove the actor overnight.

With vitriol oddly reminiscent of the backlash to Heath Ledger’s casting as the Joker in 2008′s “The Dark Knight,” fans took to the web to condemn everything from Affleck’s star power to his acting chops.

You might think that the memory of the awesome job Heath Ledger did as the Joker would give these people pause.  But no, that doesn't enter their minds.  Nor are they old enough to remember the outrage when it was announced Michael Keaton would play BATMAN.

A comedian to play the grim Dark Knight.  Yet Michael did a great job.

But why are there so many haters?

Fanboys may still hold a grudge against Affleck for his much-panned performance in 2003′s “Daredevil.”

The experience made Affleck swear off superhero films, and the thesp began focusing much of his attention behind the camera.

But Affleck has done something of a 180 with his career since his “Gigli” days.

His 2007 directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone,” caught the attention of then-film chief Jeff Robinov,

who championed Affleck at the studio.

Since then, the thesp has brought WB awards pics including “Argo” and “The Town,” both of which he directed and starred in.

Roles in those films and 2010′s “Company Men” also flexed Affleck’s muscles as a serious actor in a way that hadn’t been on display for years.

And that muscle could be appealing to director Christopher Nolan, who took the Batman character down an increasingly darker path with his last three films (Nolan is exec producing the “Batman vs. Superman” pic).

What do you think of Ben Affleck as Batman?

Think he can pull it off?

What if the Batman mask covered the entire face?

Who would you have chosen to play Batman?