Another Iteration?
Yes, and according to my son, it’s one of the best versions yet. Last weekend my son went to see the new “The Batman” movie. While he’s only fifteen and hasn’t seen enough movies to create the kind of list that a true cinephile would approve of, a movie placing in his “Top Three of All Time” is fairly high praise.
Some Big Names
Robert Pattinson stars as Batman and Zoe Kravitz takes on the role of Selina Kyle (A.K.A. Catwoman). The cast is rounded out by Paul Dano (The Riddler), Colin Farrell (as an unrecognizable Penguin), Jeffrey Wright (Commissioner Gordon), Andy Serkis (Alfred Pennyworth) and Peter Saarsgard.
Those who only remember Pattinson as the shirtless Twilight vampire were worried about the choice. Pattinson, however, has more than proven his acting chops since the Twilight Saga in films like The Rover (2014), The Lost City of Z (2016), Good Time (2016), and The Lighthouse (2019).
Back to the Bat
My son’s rave review of the movie and his excitement for me to see it during the upcoming spring break, got me to thinking about my past experiences with Batman. From watching Adam West and Burt Ward reruns as a child to fully embracing the “Batdance” in 1989, Bruce Wayne and I go way back.
I thought it would be fun to see who has played Batman, Robin, Catwoman and all of the various villains and allies throughout the years. I’m sure I’ve missed a few, but here is what I found. Hopefully this brings back some Bat-memories for you.
Bruce Wayne/Batman
1943 – Lewis G. Wilson (“The Batman” TV show)
1949 – Robert Lowery (“Batman and Robin” TV show)
1966 – Adam West (“Batman” TV show)
1989 to 1992 – Michael Keaton (“Batman”; “Batman Returns”)
1995 – Val Kilmer (“Batman Forever”)
1997 – George Clooney (“Batman & Robin”)
2005 to 2012 – Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight Trilogy”)
2016 to 2022 – Ben Affleck (“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”; “Suicide Squad”; “Justice League”)
2022 – Robert Pattinson (“The Batman”)
Selina Kyle/Catwoman
1966 – Julie Newmar (“Batman” TV show)
1967 – Lee Meriwether (“Batman” Movie)
1968 – Eartha Kitt (“Batman” TV show)
1992 – Michelle Pfeiffer (“Batman Returns”)
2004 – Halle Berry (“Catwoman”)
2012 – Anne Hathaway (“Dark Knight Rises”)
2014 to 2019 – Camren Bicondova (“Gotham” TV show)
2022 – Zoe Kravitz (“The Batman”)
Alfred Pennyworth
1943 – William Austin (“The Batman” TV show)
1949 – Eric Wilton (“Batman and Robin” TV show)
1966 – Alan Napier (“Batman” TV show)
1989 to 1997 – Michael Gough (“Tim Burton Batman Films”)
2005 to 2012 – Michael Caine (“The Dark Knight Trilogy”)
2016 – Jeremy Irons (“Justice League”; “Batman v. Superman”)
2019 – Douglas Hodge (“Joker”)
2022 – Andy Serkis (“The Batman”)
The Joker
1966 – Cesar Romero (“Batman” TV show)
1989 – Jack Nicholson (“Batman”)
2008 – Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”)
2016 to 2021 – Jared Leto (“Suicide Squad”; “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”)
2019 – Joaquin Phoenix (“Joker”)
Commissioner James Gordon
1949 – Lyle Talbot (“Batman and Robin” TV show)
1966 – Neil Hamilton (“Batman” TV show)
1989 to 1997 – Pat Hingle (“Tim Burton Batman Movies”)
2005 to 2012 – Gary Oldman (“The Dark Knight Trilogy”)
2014 to 2019 – Ben McKenzie (“Gotham TV show”)
2017 – JK Simmons (“Justice League”)
2022 – Jeffrey Wright (“The Batman”)
The Riddler
1966 – Frank Gorshin (“Batman” TV show)
1966 – John Astin (“Batman” TV show)
1995 – Jim Carrey (“Batman Forever”)
2014 to 2019 – Cory Michael Smith (“Gotham” TV show)
2022 – Paul Dano (“The Batman”)
Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin
1966 – Burgess Meredith (“Batman” TV show)
1992 – Danny DeVito (“Batman Returns”)
2014 to 2019 – Robin Lord Taylor (“Gotham” TV show)
2022 – Colin Farrell (“The Batman”)
Harvey Dent/Two-Face
1989 – Billy Dee Williams (“Batman”)
1995 – Tommy Lee Jones (“Batman Forever”)
2008 – Aaron Eckhart (“The Dark Knight”)
2014 to 2019 – Nicholas D’Agosto (“Gotham” TV show)
Bane
1997 – Robert “Jeep” Swenson (“Batman & Robin”)
2012 – Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”)
Batman’s Love Interests (other than Catwoman)
1989 – Kim Basinger (Vicki Vale “Batman”)
1995 – Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian “Batman Forever”)
1997 – Elle Macpherson (Julie Madison “Batman & Robin”)
2005 – Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes “Batman Begins”)
2008 – Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes “The Dark Knight”)
Robin
1943 – Douglas Croft (“The Batman” TV show)
1949 – Johnny Duncan (“Batman and Robin” TV show)
1966 – Burt Ward (“Batman” TV show)
1995 to 1997 – Chris O’Donnell (“Batman Forever”; “Batman & Robin”)
2012 – Joseph Gordon-Levitt (John Blake original character “The Dark Knight Rises”)
2018 – Curran Walters (Jason Todd “Titans” TV show)
2018 – Brenton Thwaites (Dick Grayson “Titans” TV show)
Various Villains
1992 – Christopher Walken (Max Shreck “Batman Returns”)
1995 – Drew Barrymore and Debi Mazer (Sugar and Spice original characters “Batman Forever”)
1997 – Vivica A. Fox (Ms. B. Haven “Batman & Robin”)
1997 – Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze “Batman & Robin”)
1997 – Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy “Batman & Robin”)
2005 and 2012 – Liam Neeson (Ra’s al Ghul “Batman Begins”; “Dark Knight Rises”)
2005 to 2012 – Cillian Murphy (Scarecrow “The Dark Knight Trilogy”)
2012 – Marion Cotillard (Talia al Ghul “The Dark Knight Rises”)
Various Allies
1966 – Yvonne Craig (Batgirl “Batman” TV show)
1997 – Alicia Silverstone (Barbara Wilson/Batgirl “Batman & Robin”)
2002 – Dina Meyer (Barbara Gordon/Oracle “Birds of Prey” TV show)
2005 to 2012 – Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox “Dark Knight Trilogy”)
Visit the official “The Batman” website by clicking here: https://www.thebatman.com/
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