Ben Affleck as 'Batman': Matt Damon Defends Casting

Matt Damon has come to the defense of Ben Affleck whose casting as Batman riled up the internet, PEOPLE reported Friday.

Damon told the Times of Mirror that he had complete confidence in his long time friend. He thought the backlash, which included a White House petition to remove the Argo actor from the iconic actor, was overblown. He felt fans of the comic book character simply needed to give him a chance.

"I know there are a lot of people grousing on the Internet. I just think it's kind of funny. You know he's not playing King Lear - it's Batman! Certainly within his skill set," he said.

Damon argued that playing Batman would not be a stretch for the celebrated director who walked away with an Oscar in February. In 1997, Affleck and Damon won a Best Screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting.

"If anybody saw Argo or The Town and all the work he's been doing lately, it's way more nuanced and interesting than Batman," he said.

Despite sticking up for his friend, Damon was not interested in starring in the latest installation of Batman. The 42-year-old said he was not going to play the role of Robin, Batman's sidekick.

"I'm a little older than Ben," he said. "I never saw Robin as older than Batman."