Batman is one of the most beloved superheroes in the world. Over the years, many different stars have played the Caped Crusader on the big screen: Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, the list goes on. On top of that, there are many more actors who auditioned for Batman and didn't get the part.
When the time comes to reboot Batman’s movie franchise, the producers cast a wide net in their search for the next Dark Knight. Plenty of actors have been considered for the part over the years; some perfect for the role and others terrible for it.
Updated on March 18th, 2022 by Ben Sherlock: With the release of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, fans have been treated to a new version of the Dark Knight. Robert Pattinson’s brooding take on Bruce Wayne is delightfully refreshing. This Batman doesn’t bother with the playboy facade and barely spends any time out of the Batsuit. Like Travis Bickle, he’s an insomniac vigilante charting his psychology through diary entries. Pattinson has done a fantastic job with the role. But, as always, he wasn’t the only casting choice.
Jon Hamm
According to Batman in the DC Extended Universe, Jon Hamm lobbied to replace him.
Affleck’s casting stirred up massive controversy among the DC Comics fan base. But, as usual, the actor whose casting was criticized by fans ended up being widely praised for his performance.
Henry Cavill
According to CinemaBlend, a few years before Zack Snyder cast him as Superman in the DCEU, Henry Cavill auditioned to play Batman for Christopher Nolan. Of course, he lost the role to Christian Bale.
The darker, grittier version of the Man of Steel that Cavill played in Snyder’s movies was criticized for evoking the cynicism of Batman more than the unwavering optimism of Superman. He’s reluctant to use his powers to save people and he even kills without much provocation.
Kurt Russell
George Clooney played Bruce Wayne in blamed on his director, Joel Schumacher). According to the L.A. Times, before Clooney was cast, the producers considered Kurt Russell for the role.
Given Schumacher's campy tone, Russell’s Batman probably would’ve been more akin to Jack Burton from The X-Files’ David Duchovny was also considered.
Willem Dafoe
When the rumors circulated that Tim Burton had been in touch with Willem Dafoe about casting him in his first Batman movie, fans naturally speculated that Dafoe was considered for the role of the Joker.
But the actor told MTV News that he was actually under consideration for the role of Batman himself: “Very early, they talked to me about playing Batman.”
Ethan Hawke
When Michael Keaton turned down the chance to star in a third Batman film, Warner Bros. had to recast the role in time for Batman Forever. The producers offered the role to Ethan Hawke, but he turned it down, fearing that playing the Caped Crusader would lead to typecasting.
According to Collider, Hawke has since expressed regret over his decision because playing Batman would’ve opened a lot of doors for his career.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Pattinson’s dark, brooding turn in The Batman evokes Jake Gyllenhaal’s edgiest performances from movies like Nightcrawler. According to CinemaBlend, Gyllenhaal was one of the actors considered for Bruce Wayne when Christopher Nolan was envisioning his groundbreaking reboot.
If Gyllenhaal had played Bruce in Nolan’s trilogy, he would’ve been reunited with his The Dark Knight.
Pierce Brosnan
When Tim Burton’s first Batman movie was in development, the producers’ top choice for the role of Bruce Wayne was Pierce Brosnan. However, according to The Guardian, Brosnan wasn’t interested in playing a comic book character, so he turned down the part.
When Michael Keaton was cast, Batman fans were horrified by the decision to cast an actor known primarily for starring in comedies, and the studio received thousands of complaint letters. Keaton, of course, proved the naysayers wrong with a definitive portrayal of Bruce Wayne.
Cillian Murphy
During Christopher Nolan’s search for the perfect Bruce Wayne, Cillian Murphy was up for the part. According to Den of Geek, Murphy did an audition for the role. Nolan didn’t think Murphy was right for Bruce (and neither did Murphy himself), so he was cast as the Scarecrow instead.
This is one of many examples of an actor auditioning to play a superhero before being cast as the villain. Tom Hiddleston auditioned to play Thor before being cast as Loki; James Franco auditioned to play Peter Parker before being cast as Harry Osborn.
Josh Brolin
According to Batman v Superman before Ben Affleck was cast.
Scott Adkins also auditioned for the part, and the producers reportedly considered Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, and Orlando Bloom for the role, too.
William Baldwin
When Warner Bros. was tasked with recasting the role of Bruce Wayne after Michael Keaton decided not to star in a third Batman movie, the studio offered the part to William Baldwin (according to the L.A. Times).
Before Val Kilmer was chosen, the producers also looked at Baldwin’s brother Alec Baldwin, as well as Daniel Day-Lewis, Johnny Depp, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hanks, and Keanu Reeves.
