The big news out of the entertainment world is that Ben Affleck — whom we last saw accepting a Best Picture award for Argo, a film he directed, produced, and starred in — will add to his prodigious Hollywood legacy by donning pointy ears and a cape. Yes, the man who starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in Gigli will be Gotham's next Batman, an illustrious role most recently held by Christian Bale. 
 
 As tends to happen with such things, aggrieved critics openly voiced their displeasure across the Twittersphere: 
 
 "Oh, let's get Matt Damon to play Robin! Ha ha!" 
 
 "He can't be Batman. He already played Daredevil!" 
 
 "Affleck's bum chin will give him away..." 
 
 Hogwash. Ben Affleck has a strong, finely chiseled chin (even if it is a little butt-like). Indeed, when it comes to Batman's all-important chin, Affleck's jaw line can stand with the best of them — and is certainly superior to, say, Val Kilmer's more delicate bone structure. 
 
 Presented without commentary, here is our infallible list of the best Batmans, as ranked by the strength of their chins: 
 
 7. Val Kilmer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6. Christian Bale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5. Adam West 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4. Ben Affleck 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3. Michael Keaton 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2. George Clooney 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. Batman from Batman: The Animated Series ||||| Getty Images Ben Affleck will play Batman in the ‘Man of Steel’ sequel co-starring Henry Cavill as Superman. 
 
 Ben Affleck is going from Oscar gold to cape and cowl. 
 
 The director of “Argo,” last year’s Academy Award winner for best picture, will play Batman in director Zack Snyder’s sequel to “Man of Steel” scheduled for release in 2015. 
 
 Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. announced the casting late Thursday, surprising fans with the choice of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars to play opposite Henry Cavill, the relative newcomer who donned the red cape and blue tights in June’s hit Superman reboot. 
 
 The untitled movie appears to be be influenced by graphic novel “The Dark Knight Returns,” in which an older, grizzled Batman faces off against Superman. 
 
 “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman,” Mr. Snyder said in a statement. “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.” 
 
 Mr. Affleck previously played a super-hero in 2003′s critical and commercial flop “Daredevil,” based on the Marvel Entertainment comic book. 
 
 Warner, which released “Argo,” has long been after Mr. Affleck to take part in one of its movies based on its DC Comics library. Last year, studio executives courted him to direct the superhero team-up film “Justice League,” currently in development, according to a person familiar with the talks. 
 
 For the latest entertainment news Follow @WSJSpeakeasy
– Ben Affleck was revealed as the newest Batman last night (he'll play the Dark Knight in the next Superman movie, a sequel to this year's Man of Steel expected in 2015, the Wall Street Journal reports), and let's just say the Internet is not happy. Twitter users bemoaned the choice; indeed, someone even started a Change.org petition begging Warner Bros. to change its mind. There's a mock "Ben Affleck Batman" Twitter account and, the Guardian reports, the hashtag #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck started trending; some of the suggestions included a member of boy band One Direction, Butt-head from MTV's Beavis and Butt-head, and "ANYONE ELSE, with the exception of Ryan Reynolds." Some of our favorite Twitter reactions: @robfee: "I fell asleep & when I woke up Ben Affleck was Batman. I’m afraid if I sleep again Paul Walker will be The Hulk & Grumpy Cat will be Thor." @MIKEBLACKATTACK: "You'd think having your parents murdered before your eyes would be the worst thing that could happen to Batman." @ledjessica: "What's with the Ben-Affleck-as-Batman furor? The bottom of his face fits the bill perfectly." @LorraineELLE: "I am worried about the beard." @LifeisSavage: "They better make sure Ben Affleck's Batman suit utility belt has some acting skills in one of the pockets." @aliarikan: "Just told my girlfriend Ben Affleck is the new Batman. Her response: "You are 35 years old. I want you to think about what you just said." @billyeichner: "How dare Ben Affleck ruin the integrity of a franchise where a grown man pretends he's a bat!" @badbanana: "Be thankful Ben Affleck said yes. You know James Franco was next on that list." @GeekOutpost: "'Ben Affleck as Batman isn’t a bad idea. He was great in DareDevil!' - No one." @pattonoswalt: "'You like apples, Riddl-ah?' You can totally use that one, @BenAffleck." For more Dark Knight fun, click for the seven best Batmans as ranked by ... their chins.