An Analysis of the Batmen

A look at the men who have played Batman in film and television.

 

Adam West

Batman (TV Series, 1966-1968)

Batman: The Movie (1966)

Adam West spent two years playing Batman on the original TV series as well as the deliciously campy movie treatment, but never fully escaped the typecasting of being Bruce Wayne.

The original series was genius in its own way - Julie Newmar was quite possibly the hottest Catwoman ever to grace the screen, and Liberace surreally starred in an episode as both a violent thug and his own twin brother.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: Adam West had never escaped the typecasting of Batman; however, his voice-over work of Mayor Adam West in the animated series Family Guy does not lend itself well to the Dark Knight’s persona (though in all fairness, the original movie and television serial never accomplished that in the first place).

 

Michael Keaton

Batman (1989)

Batman Returns (1992)

Michael Keaton might have been more at home as the Joker in Batman (if Jack Nicholson hadn’t already pulled off the role perfectly), but fan reaction was inexplicably positive enough for him to reprise his role in Batman Returns.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: Pretty much everything else Michael Keaton has made: Beetlejuice, Mr. Mom, multiple idiots in Multiplicity…

 

Val Kilmer

Batman Forever (1995)

Okay, Val Kilmer was never credible as Bruce Wayne.

I’m not sure which film of his that the casting director had seen before giving him a call. Could it have been Top Gun, where he plays a subliminally homosexual pilot? Willow, for his role as Madmartigan, the insane swordsman who teams up with a midget to overthrow an evil sorceress? Yikes.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: I think At First Sight, the chick flick where he plays a blind dude is probably the most anti-Batman of them all, but his best role as Jim Morrison in The Doors is not far off.

 

George Clooney

Batman & Robin (1997)

Quite sadly, George Clooney was a better Batman in the Ocean’s 11 series than he ever was in Batman & Robin.

Clooney admitted to playing the character gay; though that may not be inherently unlike the dark knight, it doesn’t fit well with the movie adaptation. The critical failure of this awful film proves this.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: Honestly, George Clooney woulda made a good Batman — he’s good-looking and exudes the type of playboy charisma that Bruce Wayne has. However, his portrayal of Batman defies credibility of, well, Batman.

 

Clark Bartram

Batman: Dead End (2003)

World’s Finest (2004)

Clark Bartram is the best Batman that nobody’s ever seen.

Batman: Dead End was an excellent fan-made short that featured a very buffed-up Batman battling against some familiar foes. The World’s Finest had him fighting alongside Superman. Both were superbly done.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: When not fighting crime, Clark Bartram is a cellulite-fighting fitness professional.

 

Christian Bale

Batman Begins (2005)

The Dark Knight (2008)

Christian Bale dropped sixty pounds for his role in The Machinist, then gained it all back, plus an additional 40, before shooting Batman Begins.

Other roles defying credibility as Batman: Patrick Bateman, A.K.A. American Psycho (though Bruce Wayne is also an insane playboy millionaire).