The newest rumor surrounding Matt Reeves’ The Batman is that it focuses on a younger Batman, meaning that a new actor must be cast for that interpretation. However, that does not provide a solution for Ben Affleck’s flakey commitment to the modern-day Bruce Wayne. It seems that in addition to a new Superman, the DCEU may need a brand new Batman as well, and I think I have a few actors picked out who could do both the character and Gotham city justice.
1. Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage is an actor that has long been in the discussion to play Bruce Wayne, and he was one of the fan favorites for the role before Ben Affleck was cast. Armitage does dark and brooding better than almost any other actor in Hollywood, and although he’s famous for playing a dwarf, he has the large build one would expect from Batman himself. I feel as though Armitage is the overall full package to play Batman, and I would love to see him get his chance before the character is rendered unavailable.
2. Dylan McDermott
Dylan McDermott has always been my first choice to play an older Batman, but for some reason I have never seen him be suggested for the role. Perhaps it could be his tender age of 57 years old, but just look at the man.
Aside from his dark and mysterious demeanor, he looks absolutely fantastic for his age, and has managed to stay in excellent physical condition. While the state of his career is not that great, everyone knows who Dylan McDermott is, and I think that he would make an excellent Bruce Wayne.
3. Eric Bana
While the last superhero role Eric Bana was given didn’t go so well, I think that he could redeem himself as Batman. Not only is Bana a Hollywood staple, but he is also about the same size as Affleck, and has always been adept with playing darker characters. He is not the biggest star right now, but I have no doubt in my mind that he could bring a more mature Bruce Wayne to life flawlessly.
4. Luke Evans
Luke Evans is another actor that fans have wanted to see dawn the cape and cowl for years, and I cannot think of a better time than now. Evans is the perfect age for a more seasoned Batman, and while he isn’t as big of a star as he was a couple of years ago, no one has forgotten just how good he is at playing dark and tortured characters. He has never gotten a chance to play a superhero before, but I think that Bruce Wayne would be a perfect fit for his first time out.
5. Jim Caviezel
Jim Caviezel has been a famous actor for years, but he hadn’t really claimed fame as an action star until the fan-favorite show Person of Interest. Caviezel has shown through his tenure on the aforementioned CBS drama that he is the perfect fit to play a dapper, composed action hero, and I think that he would excel in a superhero role. He would undoubtedly make an excellent Batman, but I think that Caviezel could acclimate himself to playing a billionaire playboy as well, and he is at the right age to play the character towards the end of his vigilante years.
6. Josh Duhamel
Josh Duhamel hasn’t exactly been on the tip of everyone’s tongues lately, but he is nonetheless qualified for the role of Batman. At 46 years old, he is extremely close in age to Ben Affleck, and has the same exact build as the current occupant of the character. He has the natural grey undertones in his hair that the make-up department must add to that of Affleck’s, and I have no doubt that he would be able to portray both the hardcore vigilante and the suave businessman perfectly.
7. Timothy Olyphant
While Timothy Olyphant is a whole lot skinnier than Ben Affleck, I still think that he would make a good Batman. A common misconception is that Batman is a mountain of a man, when really he maintains the perfect balance of strength and speed, so it should come as no surprise to see a man as lean as Olyphant portray the character. I feel like he has the perfect look for Bruce Wayne, and while he may not look anything like Ben Affleck, he might be able to stay truer to the comic book incarnation of the character than Affleck did.
8. Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman is by far one of the most qualified actors that could possibly play Batman, and I don’t know why no one ever puts him in talks for the character. Jackman would be able to elevate the entire state of the DCEU, and I personally think that he would look mighty fine in a Batsuit. Imagining the pure intensity that he brought to Wolverine being used for Batman gives me goosebumps, and I don’t think that anyone would oppose to seeing Jackman play another superhero.
9. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is quite possibly the most legendary action star of the 1990s, which means that he would be perfect for an older Batman. Just when we thought that his career would never be the same, Reeves rattles off John Wick, The Bad Batch and John Wick: Chapter 2 all within a few years of each other, and proves to the world that he is still the best at what he does. He is in tremendous shape for his age, and I think that he could be a true contender to replace Ben Affleck as Batman.
10. Karl Urban
Karl Urban has long been the man everyone wants to see play Batman, and there was absolutely no reason for him to be passed over in favor of Affleck in the first place. Casting Urban as Batman would make every fan of the franchise giddy with excitement, and could signal a new beginning for the spiraling DCEU. He has the perfect size, look and acting technique for the character, so letting him finally play The Dark Knight would quite possibly give us the best incarnation of Batman to date.