Joss Whedon backs Ben Affleck as Batman

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption #Batfleck blows up Twitter | USA NOW video Shannon Rae Green hosts USA NOW for Aug. 23, reporting on the social media buzz around Ben Affleck as the new Batman.

Joss Whedon believes Ben Affleck will %22crush it%22 as Batman

Affleck%27s casting announcement as Batman provoked inter-fury Thursday night

Whedon has geek-cred and directed %22The Avengers%22

Ben Affleck just got a very important geek endorsement as Batman -- director Joss Whedon.

The Avengers and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. director entered into the heated Batman discussion on Friday night.

Whedon Tweeted, "Affleck'll crush it. He's got the chops, he's got the chin. -- just needs the material."

"Affleck and (Henry) Cavill toe to toe -- I'm in," Whedon added.

The super-Tweet came in the midst of heavy online criticism about the decision that Affleck would play Batman alongside Cavill in the Batman-Superman movie to be released July 17, 2015.

Warner Bros clearly was not expecting a massive Internet backlash when they made the announcement late Thursday.

"Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry's Superman," director Zack Snyder said in a statement Thursday. "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 retains the charms that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him."

The news has provoked a firestorm and a Twitter hashtag #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck overwhelmed the Web on Friday.