Batman Actors: The Best and the Worst of All Time

With Ben Affleck now confirmed to direct and star in his own Batman film, fans of the Caped Crusader are about to step foot into an entirely new version of the character’s world that was only glimpsed in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It remains to be seen where Affleck’s film will rank alongside the other standalone Batman releases that preceded it, but with his film on the way and The LEGO Batman Movie already set for release in 2017, there will be plenty of the Dark Knight to go around. To celebrate news of Affleck’s film, we’re looking back at all the of the actors who have played Batman in a live-action theatrical film. Since we’re not including animated releases, don’t expect to see Kevin Conroy in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm or Will Arnett in The LEGO Movie listed below.

6. George Clooney, Batman & Robin (1997)


Source: Warner Bros.

Clooney is among the most charismatic and powerful Hollywood stars, but you wouldn’t know it from this Joel Schumacher film. Saddled with a horrendous script and a nippled Batsuit, the actor wouldn’t have really been able to do much to save this mess. Moreover, Batman & Robin doesn’t even try to make the Caped Crusader or his billionaire alter-ego remotely interesting. Talk about missed opportunities.

5. Val Kilmer, Batman Forever(1995)

Source: Warner Bros.

Any actor filling in for Michal Keaton was doomed to be compared to his fan-favorite portrayal of the DC hero. Considering that fact, Kilmer actually does a solid job of making the character his own. While not as clearly defined as some of the other interpretations on this list, his Bruce Wayne/Batman at least taps into the duality inherent in the character, even if the film itself leans a bit too heavily on the campy humor that would derail its direct sequel.