Top 10 Batman Actors
(Honorable Mention: Adam West in Batman (1966-1968), Winston Duke in Batman Unburied (2022) and Jensen Ackles in Batman The Long Halloween Part 1 & 2 (2021))
10: Ben McKenzie
(What he’s in: Batman: Year One (2011))
9: Jason O’Mara
(What he’s in: Son of Batman (2014), Justice League: War (2014), Batman vs. Robin (2015), etc)
8: Bruce Greenwood
(What he’s in: Young Justice (2010-present), Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
7: Will Arnett
(What he’s in: The Lego Batman Movies (2017), The Lego Movie (2014 & 2019))
6: Christian Bale
(What he’s in: The Dark Knight Trilogy (2009-2012))
5: Troy Baker
(What he’s in: Telltale’s Batman Series (2016-2018), The Lego Batman Video Games and Movies (2012-2020), Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(2019))
4: Michael Keaton
(What he’s in: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992))
3: Diedrich Bader
(What he’s in: Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011), Harley Quinn (2019-present)
2: Robert Pattinson
(What he’s in: The Batman (2022))
1: Kevin Conroy
(What he’s in: Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995), Batman Beyond (1999-2001), Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), Arkaham Games (2009-2015), Injustice Games (2013-2017) and a bunch of other stuff)
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Who should play The Batman in the DCU?
This is a question that I think no one really wants to answer.
After the success of Matt Reeves The Batman, Michael Keatons return to the role, Kevin Conroy's Death, and Ben Affleck leaving it, I think it is safe to say people have had enough Batman, and enough good takes of the character.
Even so, Andy Muschetti is currently set to direct The DCU's Brave and the Bold, which will show a new Batman, now older and with his son, Damian Wayne.
Recently a popular fancast surfaced of John Krasinski for the role, to some fans love and some fans dismay.
Personally, I don't think he was suited for Reed or for Bruce. I can see him more as a Green Lantern. But this did get my wheels turning, hopefully to do better. And I got some picks. But first, we need to answer a few questions.
What live action versions are we pulling from?
We want to pull key elements from different versions, but there are so many iterations Jesus.
I am not going to go into all of them, I'll stick with 3. But know that I am a fan of most iterations of The Batman.
Ben Affleck
Love him or hate him, Ben Affleck's Batman was memorable. Personally he has a lot of things I want to incorporate into our DCU Batman. For one, he is our older Batman. Our actor should be similar aged to Ben.
He is also a complete unit. After being Batman for so long, he has had to make himself more of a unit in order to properly take out foes.
This is also the best voice, suit, and fighting style I've seen for a live action Batman. The voice modulator works wonders.
I think Ben had a presence that made it clear he was a leader of the team, if not Thee leader. I want our Bruce to feel the same.
Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson is a little weirdo. And I mean that in the best way.
This was the first time I think it was properly shown how uncomfortable it might be to be around such a presence as Batman. He is fear personified, and working with someone like that can and should be awkward.
Pattinson also took being Batman way too seriously, our Bruce should do the same. Batman's a religion to Bruce.
We need someone who can be a middle ground between these two as Batman.
Christian Bale
While those two perfected Batman, no one has done Bruce Wayne better than Bale.
Bale by far did the act of Bruce Wayne most convincingly. It is one of my favorite aspects of his films. We need someone who can pull off charming douchebag when needed, but slip back into dark loner.
Bale was also funny in a way Batman hasn't been in awhile. We need someone when comfortable be able to joke with Clark.
You can see why casting a Batman can be extremely difficult. Balancing all these characteristics are crucial to making it work.
What ethnicity is Bruce Wayne?
All iterations of Batman have been white.
Now, is there value in making him another ethnicity? Maybe. Making him a person of color could be part of why he doesn't trust the police and takes matters into his own hands. Perhaps maybe his parents being new money is why they are killed. Who is to say?
For now, I will say Batman can be any ethnicity.
Other Stipulations
The DCU Batman is confirmed to have a son, Damian Wayne. Assuming he has already raised Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Jason Todd is already dead, this Batman has to be in their 50s. We're looking for an older actor.
George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck have all taken up the role, meaning we need a name. Someone who immediately you know, whether you like it or not. But we also need someone surprising.
We need someone who we can see doing this for awhile. At least 5-8 years. The DCU is just starting, so someone with longevity is a must.
He should probably be tall.
Finally, as always, someone not known for past superhero roles. Let's begin.
3. Jamie Dornan
Jamie Dornan may be the safest and most controversial choice for The Batman.
Like Pattinson before him, Dornan is known for playing the love interest in some pretty bad movies, but since has made a career for himself full of wins. Projects like Belfast, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar and the Tourist proves Dornan has the acting chops for it.
He is a little younger than we would like, but he can play older, and looks a lot like a classic Bruce Wayne.
I have two main concerns for Dornan. One, would he be better off as a villain? In the DCU, he may make a fantastic Gotham City villain like Harvey Dent. But in the MCU, does he have the making of a fantastic Doctor Doom? I think so.
Finally, the character he plays in Fifty Shades of Grey is BASED on Edward Cullen, who was played by Robert Pattinson, our current Batman. The comparisons will be built in from the beginning, and we something fresh.
I think Dornan can kill it, but there's too much against him for him to be my main pick.
2. Bradley Cooper
Now I know what you're thinking, he's Rocket Raccoon!
Yes he is, but the Guardians movies are now finished. And unlike his teammates, Cooper doesn't really show his face when playing the character. In a way, he is oddly detached from Marvel.
He has also worked with James Gunn before, is currently producing Joker: Folie a Deux, and has an incredible career to back up him as a pick.
From American Sniper to Nightmare Alley to A Star is Born, Cooper consistently delivers. He can do suave, he can do loner, he can do troubled, and he can do comedy. I think he could be a spiritual successor to someone like Ben Affleck, and lead the Justice League in a way that feels natural.
He'd also be useful behind the camera, as he was the director of A Star is Born.
My biggest concern with Cooper is whether he would want to do it. One of the benefits of playing a raccoon is you get to work from a booth for maybe a few hours and you're done. This would be a commitment.
There also comes the question of whether Cooper is bigger than the role. We want people to be lost in the story, so finding an actor who convincingly be Batman is crucial. Cooper might be just a little too big for this.
Of my three, I think Cooper is the most likely to land the role, and that may be for the best.
1. Alexander Skarsgård
If we're looking for a surprising pick, with range, physicality, a name that is big but not bigger than the role, I give you: Alexander Skarsgård.
Known for roles in The Stand, Succession, The Northman and Infinity Pool, Skarsgård is one of those actors who is often forgotten but people are excited to see when he pops up.
He is a dramatic actor who can do funny, scary, and anything in between. He's played fantasy characters in The Stand, a billionaire asshole in Succession, and a warrior in The Northman, all praised. He has all the making of a great Batman.
He is classically handsome, and at 6'3, 46 years old, he is just in the age range we're looking for, and towers over most heroes.
He doesn't feel like any other Batman before him either, which will help us stay away from those comparison conversations.
I don't think there really is a perfect answer as to who should be the next Batman. But of all my options, Skarsgård makes the most sense. I could see him and David Corenswet leading the league for years to come.
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