Back in 2017, Ben Affleck stepped down as the director of the next Batman solo film, and Matt Reeves was hired to helm The Batman. Since then, Affleck’s desire to leave Batman behind has been an open secret. Affleck put those rumors to rest when he officially stepped down from the role, shortly after The Batman received a 2021 release date. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: which actor will step up to become the new Dark Knight?
But what makes for a great Batman? There are a few key attributes. Natural good looks and swagger certainly help capture Bruce Wayne’s character. But a truly great Batman performer has to be able to embody the Dark Knight’s physicality, intellect. and sheer ferocity. That’s a lot to live up to. It also makes finding a new Batman one of the most challenging casting calls in Hollywood.
RELATED: Ben Affleck Hangs Up Batman’s Cape and Moves On
One name we can safely scratch off is Armie Hammer. Although reports suggested that Hammer was being targeted by Warner Bros., the actor debunked those rumors himself. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. is looking for an actor in their mid-thirties, while Reeves wants an even younger Batman. Naturally, fans have suggested a few names, including Ben Barnes, John Krasinski, Charlie Cox, and others. But there is some question if either WB or Reeves wants an established performer or a fresher face. We won’t get a clear indication of what the studio and director want until the casting process is narrowed down to a few possibilities.
Before we jump into the slideshow, it’s important to know that this list is coming from a place of actors that have the ability to be the next Batman, which doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. That’s an important distinction. With that said, check out the 10 performers we would audition to play Bruce Wayne’s alter ego.
10 Actors Who Could Be the Next Batman
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Alexander Ludwig, 26
Alexander Ludwing’s name might sound familiar to fans of The Hunger Games and History’s Vikings, but the actor has steadily been building a name for himself.
He would certainly be an unconventional choice for Batman, but Ludwig's previous roles prove he could easily disappear within the Dark Knight's cape and cowl.
Ludwing has the action chops, but we do wonder if he can pull off Batman's intellectual side.
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Bill Heck
Bill Heck is probably the least recognizable actor on this list. His big break came in last year’s Cohen Brothers film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, which proved to be a surprising turn for the relatively unknown actor.
Heck’s resume is short, but his rugged features could be great for a more grizzled Batman. He even has some genre experience experience with roles on The Leftovers and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. That could prove to be a great asset if he gets the role of a lifetime.
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Colton Haynes, 30
Even though Colton Haynes rcently returned to Arrow, he still warrants inclusion on this list. His stint as Roy Harper/Arsenal proved that Haynes has the build to fill out Batman's cape and cowl.
Haynes could almost certainly pull off the billionaire playboy aspects of Bruce Wayne. The real question is whether he has the charisma and longevity to take on such a crucial leading role, which may run for several years.
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Glen Powell, 30
Glen Powell is one of the most coveted up and coming actors in Hollywood. He seems like a good fit for Bruce Wayne. But the big question is whether he could bring the physicality required to play Batman.
Ironically, Powell had a small part in The Dark Knight Rises, as well as a supporting role in the upcoming blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick.
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Jamie Dornan, 36
Jamie Dornan may be tailor-made for the dual roles of Bruce Wayne and Batman. Comic book fans might scoff at the idea of Fifty Shades of Grey's leading man starring in The Batman.
Regardless, Dornan is a solid choice for the role. He even has a few genre roles to his credit, including Once Upon A Time and Robin Hood.
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Jeremy Irvine, 28
Although Jeremy Irvine has only has a handful of credits to his name, he seems like a great fit to play Bruce Wayne.
However, Irvine's range as an actor has yet to be truly tested. Could he embody Batman as well? He does have a reputation as a method actor, which could help him tap into Batman's inner darkness.
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Kit Harrington, 32
With Game of Thrones finally coming to an end, Kit Harrington is looking for his next big part. He may be an unconventional choice for Batman, but it would also be a way to differentiate his Dark Knight from Affleck's.
Harrington has a lot of experience playing a brooding character, and he could potentially be a more stoic Batman than we're used to. But is he destined to be typecast for years because of his iconic role as Jon Snow? Time will tell.
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Richard Madden, 32
Richard Madden is another Games of Thrones veteran, and one of the best up and coming actors. Madden been delivering solid performances in films, TV shows, and theaters for the better part of a decade.
Madden's breakout role in The Bodyguard also proves that he can handle the requirements of playing the lead in The Batman. We think he could potentially be a great Bruce Wayne and Batman.
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Robbie Amell, 30
It seems like Robbie Amell has been playing superheroes for years. He headlined The CW's The Tomorrow People, and had a recurring role as Firestorm in the first season of The Flash.
Amell even resembles Bruce Wayne's comic book counterpart, which certainly helps his case. But he may not have the necessary charisma to fully capture Batman.
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Oscar Isaac, 39
Given the rumors of a younger Batman, Oscar Isaac's age may be the only real mark against him. As an actor, he’s an absolute chameleon. He also has valuable experience as a leading man.
There's no question that Isaac can carry a film, and he is truly a star. As one of Hollywood’s most charismatic and likable actors, Isaac would be a welcome choice as the next Batman.
