Justin Bieber Cast as Robin?

Richard Flamm
The Paw Print

Has Justin Bieber been cast as Robin? That’s what fans want to know who observed the nineteen-year-old post a picture of the “Batman vs. Superman” script on his Instagram account, cheekily adding the hashtag “#Robin.” The Huffington Post notes that directly after doing so, Bieber tweeted the vague line: “Off to do something funny…or die :)” The posts, while likely a prank, have fans on the edge of their seat.
Whether or not Bieber’s involvement is tongue-in-cheek tomfoolery, or indicative of him actually being cast, it follows the viral backlash against the very real casting of Ben Affleck in the insurmountably iconic role of Batman. Skeptics were quick to point out Affleck’s role in the notorious 2003 Daredevil film, but others have noted the actor’s maturity, evidenced through directing the critically acclaimed “Argo.” Fans have strongly voiced their opinions regarding the revealed casting decisions thus far, going so far as to petition the government and register a “change.org” request. Troy Campbell notes the extreme polarity that the casting has caused and will continue to cause among Americans, “Will Affleck suck or succeed? Only time will tell. However, one thing is for certain: Americans will come out of the theater in July 2015 with their fists in the air either cheering happily or jeering madly. There will be no in-between with Batman.” Critics point out the similar backlash Heath Ledger initially received when cast as the Joker; a role he subsequently received universal acclaim for. Bieber’s involvement in the film is likely a hoax, but the passion which the fans feel for the characters they identify with is a telling indicator of how beloved the American mythology has become. “Man of Steel 2,” also known as “Batman vs. Superman,” is set to come out 2015.