With the news of Ben Affleck leaving the role of Batman, speculation has started on who will take his place as the Caped Crusader in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” That being said, here are four actors I think _should_ don the cowl.
4) Matt Bomer
Bomer, in my opinion, captures a really great Batman look. Whereas Affleck’s Batman looks like a Frank Miller drawing come to life, Bomer could be a step toward a more modernized Greg Capullo-like Batman, which is a running trend through all of my picks. However, seeing Bomer become Batman is extremely unlikely because he’s not that much younger than Affleck and he’s already been cast as a DC character. Bomer will be making his debut as Negative Man in DC’s “Doom Patrol” on Feb. 15. Chances of seeing Bomer as Bruce Wayne are slim to none. Still, it’s fun to think, “What if?”
3) Ben Barnes
Barnes recently had another outing as Jigsaw in Marvel’s “The Punisher,” and it was great. Even though he’s currently cast as a Marvel character, it’s doubtful that “The Punisher” will continue given the fate of the other Marvel shows on Netflix. So why not make him Batman? He has the acting prowess to pull off the troubled billionaire with a dark alter ego. And he’s definitely got the look. If you showed me a picture of this guy and I didn’t know who he was, I’d absolutely buy that he’s a billionaire playboy who beats up criminals at night.
2) Michael B. Jordan
I cannot properly express how great I believe Jordan to be for this role. Jordan has proved his acting prowess time and time again (“Chronicle,” “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed”), and he is absolutely young enough to suit the younger Batman that Reeves’ and company are seeking. Even though he was the villain for Marvel’s “Black Panther,” we know he can be a hero too. As Human Torch he was one of the few redeeming parts of 2015’s attempt at a “Fantastic Four” adaptation. What more is there to say? DC needs a good actor and Jordan is a great actor. It’s as simple as that.
1) Armie Hammer
Hammer has played the roles of twin millionaires and evil billionaire in the past, so it’s only right that he finally portrays a marginally less terrible rich dude. Hammer is a genuinely great actor and definitely has the Bruce Wayne look. Plus, we already know Hammer has chemistry with Superman actor Henry Cavill from “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” Furthermore, Hammer was supposed to play Batman in 2009 for George Miller’s “Justice League” adaptation. Maybe it’s time he finally does.
_Edited by Joe Cross | jcross@themaneater.com_