12 Before and After Actors Who Participated in Different “Batman” Movies

DC Comics has a huge universe of superheroes, among them, the protector of Gotham City, Batman, who has already been played by several actors, including Michael Keaton and Christian Bale. In 2022, another version of the batman arrived in theaters, this time by the hands of Robert Pattinson, who became well known for playing Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and also Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga.

Thinking about it, the awesome.club prepared a list of 12 actors who have participated in different versions of Batman on the big screen and had a blast. How about killing the longing and see how they are currently? Check out!

In 2005, Christian Bale took on the mantle of Batman, becoming popular with Batman fans. Even after so many years of the release of the last film (2012) the saga remains very popular, being a reference for other superhero films. Much of the success of Batman – The Dark Knight comes from Bale’s acting, who is known for giving himself completely to his characters, often being able to make radical transformations to live out his stories.

When he lived the butler Alfred Pennyworth in the trilogy of Batman – The Dark Knight, Michael Caine already had his career consolidated, even so he claims that it was one of the best things he did in his life. The invitation to act in the Batman movie was made by the director of the film, Christopher Nolan: “He came to the door of my country house with the script. I could see him through the glass, but I couldn’t recognize him. The moment he introduced himself, I knew exactly who he was because he was already a huge fan.”

Cillian Murphy became quite popular because of his performance in Peaky Blinders, however, a few years earlier he played the villainous Scarecrow in Batman Begins. However, the actor’s initial test was to live the Batman himself: “About 10 of us tested for Batman and I was aware that, clearly, it was not the right material for this hero”.

Michael Keaton starred in the Batman saga directed by Tim Burton and was a great success, conquering the top of the box office in the year the film was released, in 1989. Its sequel, in 1992, also conquered the public, taking the film once again to number one at the box office. After 30 years of the release of the first feature film, Keaton returns to the role of protector of Gotham City, but this time in The Flash.

Jack Nicholson shone as Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman, however, he was not the director’s first choice, which had names like John Lithgow and Robin Williams. But anyone who thinks that Nicholson wasn’t the highlight he deserved is wrong, the actor who at the time had already won two Oscars, won a millionaire cachet and the hearts of fans.

Billy Dee Williams is best known for his role in Star Wars as Lando Calrissian, but the actor has also had a cameo in superhero movies; he participated in Batman, 1989, as Harvey Dent, who later becomes Batman’s antagonist, Two-Face. However, this never happened in the Tim Burton saga, as Billy did not participate in Batman: Return. But anyone who thinks the actor didn’t have his palinha as Two-Face is wrong, in The LEGO Batman Movie he voiced the villain.

In Batman: Return, Danny DeVito gives life to Penguin, one of Batman’s greatest rivals, having taken the place of Joker for a time, being considered the main villain. DeVito seems to have enjoyed playing this character, as he aims to revive the role: “We could pick up where we left off, because that movie is really brilliant. I feel grateful to have played that character.”

In 1992, in Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer gave life to Selina Kyle, also known to Batman fans as Catwoman. After so many years, the actress still seems to have an attachment to the old character; in posts on social networks, she recalled what it was like to wear the mask and proved that she still knows how to use her character’s whip.

In Batman Forever, Nicole Kidman plays Bruce Wayne’s love interest, Dr. Chase Meridian. The character is quite important for the closure of Tim Burton’s saga, since a large part of the story revolves around the events with the woman. Shortly thereafter, the actress would win her first Golden Globe, consolidating herself as one of the main actresses of American cinema.

Val Kilmer joined the cast of Batman Forever to replace Michael Keaton. The actor always dreamed of being Batman, but the experience was not as good as expected: “All the childhood excitement I had was crushed by the reality of the costume. Inside it, you can barely move, you need help getting up and down. You can’t hear it, people eventually stop talking to you. You are isolated”.

In Batman Forever, one of the villains is the iconic Riddler, played by Jim Carrey, known for performing many comedic roles. Even so, the actor had a lot of prominence with the character and he was even remembered with the debut of the new Batman, starring Robert Pattinson — a fan made a montage in which the new bat-man meets the Riddler and we don’t we doubt that this crossover would be really interesting!

Chris O’Donnell made his debut as Robin in Batman Forever, he competed with other heavyweight actors, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, however, the choice was made after a group of children said that O’Donnell would win a battle. The boy experienced the character more than once — in Batman and Robin he acted alongside George Clooney, who was the Batman.

What’s your favorite version of Batman? Are there any other actors that were left out of this list that you came to mind right off the bat? Tell us in the comments!