Fans of the Caped Crusader were in an uproar following the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman for the upcoming Man of Steel sequel.

While Internet message boards overflowed with users who were willing to suggest anyone from Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) to Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness), geek film idol Joss Whedon (The Avengers) took to Twitter in defense of the actor.

"Affleck'll crush it. He's got the chops, he's got the chin -- just needs the material. Affleck & Cavill toe to toe -- I'm in," Whedon wrote on Friday.

When Affleck dons the Dark Knight's cape and cowl for Batman vs. Superman, the 41-year-old actor will join the ranks of Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Rises, 2012), George Clooney (Batman & Robin, 1997), Val Kilmer (Batman Forever, 1995), Michael Keaton (Batman Returns, 1992), Adam West (Batman, 1966). With such a long legacy, the pressure is on for Affleck to deliver.

Affleck's previous credits vary widely, having stared in such films as Good Will Hunting, Pearl Harbor, and The Town as well as having recently directed the political drama Argo. However, he has only once appareled as a superhero. His title role in Daredevil did not garner the best reviews and instead won him the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor.

Although, as Joss Whedon stated, if Affleck is given good material, perhaps this performance will go better than his Daredevil debacle.

Tags: joss whedon Ben Affleck Man of Steel 2