Batman fans were torn Thursday night over the announcement that Ben Affleck would play the superhero in the 2015 sequel to this summer's Man of Steel.
But Affleck did have one big booster tweeting his support to his 1.4 million followers: Newark mayor and candidate for United States Senate, Cory Booker.
When a fan tweeted at Booker Thursday that, if he wasn't a candidate for Senate "he'd definitely be on Twitter talking about Affleck as Batman," Booker retweeted the message and responded with a wave of support for Affleck: "Senate or not this comic book fan is very excited," Booker said, telling detractors, "I'm pro-Ben."
Senate or not this comic book fan is very excited. Remember what Picaso said "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life" @sdshields
Cory Booker
@CoryBooker
Senate or not this comic book fan is very excited. Remember what Picaso said "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life" @sdshields
/ ViaSorry I'm pro-Ben RT @tylerkingkade if elected, will you stop Ben Affleck from playing Batman?
Cory Booker
@CoryBooker
Sorry I'm pro-Ben RT @tylerkingkade if elected, will you stop Ben Affleck from playing Batman?
/ ViaLOL, I'd rather be true to myself & lose than pander 2 Ben-haters & win MT @Frances_Locke Put an end to #BenAffleckAsBatman I'll vote 4 you
Cory Booker
@CoryBooker
LOL, I'd rather be true to myself & lose than pander 2 Ben-haters & win MT @Frances_Locke Put an end to #BenAffleckAsBatman I'll vote 4 you
/ ViaThe endorsement may appear arbitrary, but Affleck has been a longtime Booker donor. In 2006, Affleck contributed $10,000 to Booker's successful Newark mayoral campaign. And this year, according to a review of FEC reports, Affleck and his wife, actress Jennifer Garner, have given Booker a combined $5,000 to help his campaign in this year's special election.
In April, Affleck and Garner also gave a combined $10,000 in funding to what would have been Booker's 2014 general election, before Sen. Frank Lautenberg passed away and a special was scheduled for this October.
Affleck's best friend, actor Matt Damon, has contributed $10,400 as well.
Booker has been a Hollywood favorite for years. Earlier this year, mega-producer Jerry Weintraub hosted Booker at his home for a fundraiser attended by Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation; Bob Iger, the chairman and CEO of Walt Disney; and actor Bruce Willis, among others.
This post has been updated.