actors

Christian Bale

Christian Bale has the advantage of starring as the title role of arguably the two best Batman films of all time. The actor, known for his career of flawless performances, gave so much to the role that his aggression became a counterpoint to the campier Batman of the 1960s. A darker and grittier Dark Knight for the modern age, Bale reinvented the character for an entirely new generation.

With a performance that suffered a bit due to the quality of the films, Clooney still rose to the occasion in his only outing as Batman in 1997’s Batman & Robin. While he didn’t quite bring the charm fans had hoped for, he still echoed a similar campiness from the original TV series and comic books, which according to some is one of the highest compliments you can receive.

Will Arnett

Voicing Batman for the LEGO Movie franchise, Arnett has taken the role to a whole new level. Becoming a sort of spoof on the character, the actor infuses his performances with a loving admiration for the Caped Crusader. As great as they are on their own, the movies’ best moments often stem from Arnett’s fun take on the superhero.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton is a personality all his own. Tim Burton’s first two Batman films are good in their own right, but are very much garnished with the actor’s comedic sensibilities and carefree attitude. Arguably better at being Bruce Wayne than his alter ego, Keaton still brought his own trademarked style to the role, which helped make the movies unforgettable all these years later.

Ben Affleck

Affleck never quite got his chance to shine as Batman, now having left the franchise, with a final “appearance” in the Snyder Cut. Arguably the best part of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the actor played a more disillusioned version of the Dark Knight, something fans had yet to see done properly up to that point.