Ben Affleck on 'Batman' blacklash: 'I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I could do it'

NEW YORK, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Ben Affleck was aware backlash would follow the announcement he was set to play the new Batman, but he decided to take the part anyway.

The 42-year-old Oscar winner spoke up about the casting controversy that followed his new role as the Dark Knight in the upcoming flick Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

"Before I took the role, Warner Bros. gave me a bunch of past reactions to casting and said, 'Are you sure you want to get into this? This is part and parcel of these movies now. There's a lot of active fans with a lot of opinions,'" Affleck revealed, adding that "Everyone's entitled to their opinion."

"I wouldn't have taken the part if I didn't trust my instincts in terms of the filmmaking. I think Chris Terrio wrote a terrific script. Zack's a great visual director. And there's an interesting take. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I could do it. I have the benefit of a lot of that understanding."

Affleck went on to say he is well aware of the responsibilities that come with a role in a superhero movie, adding that he didn't hold back while preparing for the part.

"I can tell you that every time I do a role, it's the responsibility of an actor to get their physical self as close to the role as possible. And Batman's obviously got a set of expectations that are tough. So I spent a lot of time working out," he shared. "And it's a far cry from Gone Girl where my character is described as "puffy and hungover." I want you to know I worked equally hard at both! [laughs]"

Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman will also star Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Mamoa as Aquaman and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. The film will be released on March 25 2016.