Who is the best actor to ever play the infamous Dark Knight?
Here’s our ranking of those who donned the Caped Crusader’s outfit over time.
Keanu Reeves (2022)
Okay, you might be thinking, when on earth didKeanu Reevesplay Batman?
Warner Bros. Pictures
Is it the most groundbreaking performance?
Not even a little.
There’s a reason it ranks dead last on this list.
George Clooney as the Dark Knight in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin.'.Everett Collection
Go ahead and tell your friends that your kids made you watch it.
George Clooney (1997)
As they say in the South, blessGeorge Clooney’s heart.
Neither he nor anyone else knew what they were getting into when production began onJoel Schumacher’sBatman & Robinin 1996.
‘The LEGO Batman Movie’.Warner Bros. Pictures
Clooney is unarguably a talented actor, but not evenDaniel Day-Lewiscould’ve saved this hapless misadventure.
Coming off the heels of theTim Burton/Michael Keatonera, Kilmer has some pretty large black rubber boots to fill.
Unfortunately, this often leads to more eye-roll moments than not.
Everett Collection
Twilightjokes aside,Robert Pattinson’s turn as the bat is easily the most angst-ridden version yet.
Hopefully, the thesp will deliver a performance that moves him up a peg or two in thein-the-works sequel.
Unfortunately, we don’t really get to see a lot of Affleck in the cape and cowl.
Robert Pattinson in ‘The Batman’ (2022).Jonathan Olley/DC Comics/Warner Bros.
(Look upGotham City: 14 Miles, if you want a real deep dive on the subject.)
Tim Burton even borrowed the plot ofBatman Returnsfrom a two-episode Penguin arc of this show.
Christian Bale (20052012)
Having Academy Award-winning actorChristian Baleas No.
Ben Affleck in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’.Everett Collection
That being said, this is a Batman countdown list, not a Bruce Wayne countdown list.
In that light, Bale’s Batman has always lacked a certain level of stoicism and restraint.
For an entire generation, he is about as synonymous with Batman as anyone can get.
Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Christian Bale in ‘The Dark Knight’.Everett Collection
Warner Bros. Animation
Michael Keaton in ‘Batman’.Everett Collection
