Batman takes on Superman this weekend and people everywhere are wondering how the Ben Affleck era of Batman will work out. Batfleck will have some big shoes to fill when he dons the cape and the cowl, especially following the mammoth success of the Christopher Nolan trilogy that included the best Batman movie of all-time, "The Dark Knight." Not every Batman movie has been a winner, however. Let’s take a look at Affleck’s competition and rank the actors who have played the Caped Crusader. We’ll start with the worst and work our way up to the best to ever wear the bat suit.
5. George Clooney
There are hardly words to describe how terrible "Batman & Robin" really is. The movie starts by showing Batman and Robin suiting up, bat nipples and butt plate included, and the corniness never stops after that. I can’t believe no one ever took a step back and went, “does Mr. Freeze really need to make an ice pun in every line?” Is that Clooney’s fault? No. He’s the victim of terrible writing decisions, but his performance as the Dark Knight is underwhelming to say the least. He’s a pretty convincing Bruce Wayne, as he has the looks and the charm to pull off the role, but when he’s in costume he just doesn’t look like he cares a whole lot. It’s almost as if he knew how terrible the movie was so he just went through the motions long enough to pick up his check. Clooney was the easiest decision to make on this list because he is so far behind everyone else.
4. Adam West
It might be an unpopular decision to have West this low on the list because a lot of people think of him as the first actor to ever play Batman. He’s actually the third, but no one really cares about the first two. West is definitely iconic, but the show is just a little too goofy for him to be taken seriously. It’s a campy show, and unless you grew up watching it, you have a hard time thinking about it as an actual Batman show. West’s portrayal would be better for something like Lego Batman, even though I think I’d still prefer Will Arnett from "The Lego Movie."
3. Val Kilmer
"Batman Forever" was always my favorite Batman movie growing up. There is just a certain coolness factor it had going for it. This actually probably isn’t even in the top five for Batman movies, but Val Kilmer gives us a competent performance as both Batman and Bruce Wayne. He doesn’t look out of place in his fight scenes and he believably woos Nicole Kidman as both Batman and Bruce Wayne, showing everyone just how smooth Batman can be. Chicks dig the car.
2. Christian Bale
Christian Bale got to wear the cape in easily the best Batman movies to date. He is probably the best Bruce Wayne to ever grace the big screen. Bale is perfect as the billionaire party boy and has a silky delivery in that role. He also nails his role as Batman, showing the audience how serious his vendetta against the crime and despair in Gotham City really is, while being probably the most athletic actor to ever take the role. He looks fluid when fighting the countless thugs he encounters, but there is one thing that nobody can overlook: He sounds like he has a bucketful of sand stuck in his throat whenever he’s in costume. A change in voice is certainly necessary for keeping his identity hidden, but Bale is just a little over the top. All in all, Bale comes in a very close second for his deep performance.
1. Michael Keaton
Keaton is the best Batman because he played the role as it was meant to be played. He shows us the aspects that make Batman the world’s greatest detective, and he looks pretty good knocking guys out considering his bat suit didn’t allow him to move his neck at all. His portrayal as Bruce Wayne is different from anyone else, as he comes across more thoughtful and almost a little shy; which ultimately makes him more endearing to the audience. Keaton sets the tone in his very first scene while dangling someone over the ledge of a rooftop, saying: “I’m not going to kill you. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell all your friends about me. I’m Batman.”
Keaton’s performance as Batman is the one that actors in shows like "Arrow" and "Daredevil" have tried to emulate ever since.
Fingers crossed he reprises his role one day in a "Batman Beyond" movie.
Honorable mention: Kevin Conroy
He’s never played Batman in a live action capacity, but his voice is synonymous with Batman. Conroy has voiced Batman in several wildly successful animated shows and movies, as well as lending his voice to the epic Arkham video games. I grew up watching "Batman: The Animated Series" so when I think of Batman, I think of Conroy and his trademark line: “I am vengeance. I am the night. I am BATMAN!”
