The rumors are true, says Josh Brolin. The "No Country for Old Men" actor really was in the running to play Batman opposite Henry Cavill's Superman in Zack Snyder's upcoming sequel to "Man of Steel."


Asked if he'd had conversations with Snyder about the role, Brolin told The Huffington Post, "We did. I didn't have conversations about it, but Zack, that was part of his idea. It just didn't turn out. It's OK. It is OK. You know, another scenario might have worked better, but I'm happy for Ben."


As millions of irate fanboys know, Brolin didn't wind up landing the part. Instead, it went to "Argo" director (and, as some won't let him forget, "Gigli" actor) Ben Affleck.


Brolin has nothing but sympathy for Affleck, who has been the target of an epic online backlash ever since the casting was announced. Fans even started a petition asking Warner Bros. to rescind the part.


"I've never seen such a global reaction in my life," Brolin said. "I feel for him, truly. I would not want to be him right now. The reaction becomes so personal," Brolin said. "It's like, 'Fuck this guy, I wish he was dead.' And you're like, 'What? Dude, seriously? This guy is just working like you are. He's doing the same thing you are. He's trying to make the best choices he can.'"


Still, Brolin wouldn't go so far as to say he's glad Affleck is in the hot seat rather than him. "I think I might have said that like 15 years ago, but now, because of the Internet, man, I just feel for anybody who gets lambasted at that level. I want him to kick ass and I want everyone to love it and kind of eat their words."


HuffPost Entertainment spoke to Brolin at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he is promoting his latest film, "Labor Day," written and directed by Jason Reitman and based on a novel by Joyce Maynard.


In the film, set to open in limited release on Christmas, Brolin plays an escaped convict named Frank whose manly ways (he's handy with a hammer and bakes a mean peach cobbler) endear him to the single mother in whose house he takes refuge. Though Frank is clearly a dangerous man, Brolin said Reitman encouraged him to embrace the character's softer side.


"There's something about this guy where the nerves are always exposed. And he's not really shutting it down with this prison idea of toughness," Brolin said. "I'd be doing scenes and suddenly I'd start to shake. I'd be like, I don't know what's happening to me, dude."


Brolin is also set to star in Spike Lee's hotly anticipated adaptation of the Korean thriller "Oldboy," due out in November. In that film, he also plays a man newly sprung from prison, but the similarities end there. "The guy in 'Oldboy' is just an asshole," Brolin said. "He's just an awful person who's confronted with himself, and there's an extreme vulnerability that comes out of it, but only because of what he's been through."


"Man of Steel 2" is expected to begin filming early next year.




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  • "Horns" Premiere - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actors Daniel Radcliffe (L) and Juno Temple arrive at the 'Horns' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Aaron Harris/Getty Images)




  • "Horns" Premiere - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Daniel Radcliffe arrives at the 'Horns' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Aaron Harris/Getty Images)




  • "Horns" Premiere - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actress Juno Temple arrives at the 'Horns' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Aaron Harris/Getty Images)




  • "The Last Of Robin Hood" Premiere - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Actors Susan Sarandon, Dakota Fanning and Kevin Kline arrive at 'The Last Of Robin Hood' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Isabel Bader Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Peter Bregg/Getty Images)




  • "The Last Of Robin Hood" Premiere - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actress Susan Sarandon arrives at 'The Last Of Robin Hood' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Isabel Bader Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Peter Bregg/Getty Images)




  • "12 Years A Slave" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor/ producer Brad Pitt arrives at the '12 Years A Slave' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "12 Years A Slave" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor/ producer Brad Pitt arrives at the '12 Years A Slave' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "12 Years A Slave" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor/ producer Brad Pitt arrives at the '12 Years A Slave' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "12 Years A Slave" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor/ producer Brad Pitt arrives at the '12 Years A Slave' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • Brad Pitt


    A fan is reflected in Brad Pitt's sunglasses as he signs autographs on his arrival at the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)




  • Steve McQueen, Michael Fassbender


    Actor Benedict Cumberbatch pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Steve McQueen, Michael Fassbender


    Actor Michael Fassbender, left, and director Steve McQueen pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Sarah Paulson


    Sarah Paulson arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Lupita Nyong'o


    Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Sarah Paulson


    Sarah Paulson signs autographs at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Alfre Woodard


    Actress Alfre Woodard poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Paul Giamatti


    Actor Paul Giamatti poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Michael Fassbender


    Actor Michael Fassbender poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • La La Anthony


    La La Anthony arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Benedict Cumberbatch


    Actor Benedict Cumberbatch poses for photographs on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Hans Zimmer


    Composer Hans Zimmer arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Lupita Nyong'o


    Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Michael Fassbender


    Michael Fassbender arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Michael Fassbender


    Michael Fassbender arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Carmelo Anthony, La La Anthony


    Carmelo Anthony, left, and La La Anthony arrive at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Paul Giamatti


    Paul Giamatti arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Benedict Cumberbatch


    Benedict Cumberbatch arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Benedict Cumberbatch


    Benedict Cumberbatch arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Paul Dano


    Paul Dano arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Henry Louis Gates, Jr.


    Historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Michael Fassbender, Steve McQueen


    Michael Fassbender, left, and director Steve McQueen arrive at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Alfre Woodard


    Alfre Woodard arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Benedict Cumberbatch


    Benedict Cumberbatch gestures to the crowd as he arrives on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)




  • Sarah Paulson


    Sarah Paulson arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzelloi/Invision/AP)




  • Michael Fassbender


    Michael Fassbender jogs down the street to sign autographs for fans as he arrives at the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "12 Years a Slave" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)




  • Jason Reitman Live Read Of "Boogie Nights" - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actors Dakota Fanning and Jesse Eisenberg attend the Jason Reitman live read of 'Boogie Nights' during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Ryerson Theatre on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images)




  • Dakota Fanning


    Dakota Fanning arrives at Jason Reitman's live reading of "Boggie Nights" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Ryerson Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)




  • Jason Reitman, Scott Thompson, Dakota Fanning, Jesse Eisenberg, Dane Cook, Marc-AndrĂ© Grondin, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Josh Brolin, Jordan Hayes, Jarod Einsohn


    Jason Reitman, from left, Scott Thompson, Dakota Fanning, Jesse Eisenberg, Dane Cook, Marc-André Grondin, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Josh Brolin, Jordan Hayes, and Jarod Einsohn arrive at Jason Reitman's live reading of "Boggie Nights" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Ryerson Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the 'Prisoners' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • Maria Bello


    Actress Maria Bello poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Prisoners" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Hugh Jackman arrives at the 'Prisoners' premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the 'Prisoners' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actors Hugh Jackman (L) and Jake Gyllenhaal arrive at the 'Prisoners' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the 'Prisoners' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • "Prisoners" Premiere - Arrivals - 2013 Toronto International Film Festival


    TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the 'Prisoners' Premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held at The Elgin on September 6, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • Jake Gyllenhaal


    Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the premiere of "Prisoners" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Elgin Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)




  • Terrence Howard


    Terrence Howard arrives at the premiere of "Prisoners" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Elgin Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)




  • Jake Gyllenhaal


    Actors Hugh Jackman, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Prisoners" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jake Gyllenhaal


    Actors Hugh Jackman, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Prisoners" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jake Gyllenhaal


    Actor Jake Gyllenhaal poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Prisoners" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jake Gyllenhaal


    Actor Hugh Jackman poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Prisoners" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)