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Ben Affleck Working Out Two Hours a Day for Batman Role in Man of Steel Sequel

Ben Affleck and son Samuel on August 11, 2013 in Los Angeles
Ben Affleck has been working out two hours daily for hus upcoming Man of Steel role

The Jacked Crusader! Ben Affleck has been cast to play Batman opposite Henry Cavill's Superman in the planned Man of Steel sequel — and the Oscar-winning hunk, 41, has already begun intense training to fill the iconic superhero's suit. A source tells Us Weekly that the actor, director and father of three has been working hard to get buff — training two hours a day to transform his physique.

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Affleck's surprise casting in the DC Comics-based film was announced late Thursday, Aug. 22 by Warner Bros. "We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics' most enduringly popular superheroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent,," explained Greg Silverman, Warner Bros.' president of creative development and worldwide production.

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The Runner, Runner star has tried the superhero thing before: He played the titular role in 2003's widely panned Daredevil (where he and now-wife Jennifer Garner first met), and he played George Reeves, the actor who played Superman in the 1950s TV show Adventures of Superman, in 2006's Hollywoodland.

Director Zack Snyder, who helmed this year's Man of Steel with Cavill and is returning for the July 2015 sequel, added: "Ben provides an interesting counterbalance to Henry's Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him."

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Affleck follows in the footsteps of many famous men who've played Batman/Bruce Wayne on the big screen over the past quarter century: Christian Bale, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Michael Keaton.

Tell Us: Is Affleck the best choice for Batman?

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