The ability to take a beloved, iconic role and reinvent it is a hallmark of a great performance. Actors have been doing it for centuries with classic stage parts like Macbeth, Oedipus and Hedda Gabler, but it’s even more impressive in the age of on-screen adaptations when a definitive performance can burn into the minds of audiences for decades. Indeed,Jared Letorecently commented that playing The JokerinSuicide Squadwas akin to taking on a role like Hamlet, where so many iconic interpretations of the character proceed you, but perhaps no other modern role has been so often reimagined than that of The Joker’s sworn-nemesis, Batman.
Batman was not only one of the earliest comic book characters to get an on-screen adaptation in Columbia’s 1943Batmanserial, but he’s remained one of the most popular superhero headliners ever since, racking up countless film franchises, animated features and videogames over the decades. In the process, an unusually large amount of actors have tried their hand at The Caped Crusader.
Now that we’ve all had a chance to catchBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it’s time to take a look back at the actors who’ve picked up the cape and cowl over the years and pick a favorite. Do you prefer the jauntier bam-pow days ofAdam WestorBen Affleck’s pitch dark spin on the character? Can either of them compete with MVPs likeKevin ConroyandChristian Bale?Or maybe you like your Bruce Wayne with a little nipple action, a laGeorge Clooney. Place your vote in the poll below (and vote on your favoritelive-action Batman costumewhile your at it). May the Darkest Knight win.
(Note: Given the huge amount of actors that have voiced Batman in the animated films, we stuck with the most influential repeat actors, but if your fave isn’t on the list, represent them in the comments!)
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