At M-Net Movies we’re a little obsessed with Batman, and we want to know which Caped Crusader you think is the best. That’s why we decided to take a look at four of the actors who have donned the superhero’s cowl and cape.
Michael Keaton
The first actor to take on the role in a feature movie about the Caped Crusader, the initial reaction to the casting of Keaton was one of outrage. The Warner Bros’ offices received 50 000 letters of protest, but the enigmatic actor surprised everyone with his portrayal in Tim Burton’s Batman. Keaton reprised the role for the sequel, Batman Returns, to much acclaim.
Val Kilmer
After directing the first two features, Tim Burton dropped out of the Batman franchise and Joel Schumacher took up the directing mantle. Keaton declined to return when Burton did and, after Daniel Day-Lewis, Ralph Fiennes, William Baldwin, and Johnny Depp were apparently considered for the role, was replaced by Val Kilmer.
George Clooney
The fame, fortune, accolades and awards that George Clooney continually reaps today as an actor, director and producer have made fans almost forget his once-off portrayal of Batman – almost. His rendering was so laughable it made movie history, but like the charismatic star he is, he can look back and laugh about it, and so can we.
Christian Bale
The franchise was rebooted, refreshed, relaunched – call it what you will – when Christopher Nolan came on board. The director behind dark thrillers Memento and Insomnia went back to Batman’s beginnings, choosing Christian Bale as his leading man and directing him in another two Batman movies.
Contemplative Keaton, cautious Kilmer, comical Clooney or brooding Bale? Which one is your favourite?