With the recent announcement that James Gunn and Peter Safran are planning to reboot the DC Universe, fans are eager to know how their favorite superheroes will look on the silver screen. Since the producer has confirmed that Batman will debut in a new The Brave and the Bold film, the fandom has already fan-casted different actors who could definitely play the part. Additionally, fans can't help but look back and reflect on all the actors who played Batman before.

As of 2024, 10 different actors have portrayed the Caped Crusader in both live-action films and on television with many more voicing Batman in animated and video game works. Some of them have starred in their own story, while others only served as guest stars on a show. Regardless of this, each performance brought something different to the hero. Their performances are a central part of what has made Batman as popular as he is today.

Updated on April 19, 2024, by Michael Colwander: How many actors have played Batman? A near-countless amount whether in live-action or in voiced roles. This list has been updated with a few voice actors who have portrayed the Dark Knight.

15 Lewis Wilson Was The First Actor To Portray The Caped Crusader

American actor Lewis Wilson is known for being the first actor ever to portray Batman on screen. In 1943, he starred in Batman, directed by Lambert Hillyer. Set during WWII, the serial depicts Batman acting as a U.S. agent trying to catch Dr. Daka, a Japanese agent in Los Angeles.

Batman was criticized in its time for being quite ludicrous, but hardcore fans now know that it was crucial for the development of the character's backstory. For example, it introduced Alfred, one of Batman's closest allies, for the first time. It also showcases the Batcave, which remains The Dark Knight's lair even to this day.

14 Robert Lowery's Batman Didn't Find Much Success

In 1949, Robert Lowery succeeded Lewis Wilson in the second-ever Batman serial, Batman and Robin. He starred in this together with Johnny Duncan, who played this version of Robin. Lowery's Batman battled against the Wizard (Leonard Penn), a villain with an electric device keen on getting Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin lasted 15 chapters, but it wasn't particularly successful. It was widely criticized for its many problems, such as ill-fitting costumes and continuity mistakes. The serial's very obvious low-budget vibe made it a big failure. As a result, Lowery was never called to reprise the role.

13 Adam West Became Famous For His Role As Batman

When it comes to vintage Batman, Adam West is the symbol. Before superhero movies and TV shows were all the rage, West starred in a Batman film in 1966 and a Batman series from 1966 to 1968. This show — which pitted Batman against his most iconic villains — had 120 episodes and is a staple when it comes to West's career.

The American actor was already known thanks to roles such as Cleander in Alexander the Great and Dr. Clayton Harris in Petticoat Junction. However, Batman made Adam West internationally famous. After this role, he was even considered to play James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever.

12 Michael Keaton Introduced A New Generation To The Dark Knight

The first Dark Knight in the modern era was brought to life by Michael Keaton. The Golden Globe-winner portrayed Bruce Wayne and his alter ego in two different films directed by Tim Burton, Batman and Batman Returns. Even now, these films are central to Batman's history in Hollywood.

Both Batman and Batman Returns were appreciated at their time, but not nearly as much as they are today. Keaton's Batman became iconic to the point where even the latest generation of fans recognized him instantly. Keaton also reprised his iconic role in the DCEU film, The Flash, marking what is likely his final outing as the Caped Crusader, although Keaton is open to reprising his role again.

11 Val Kilmer Brought A Touch Of Humor To Batman's Role

Three years after Batman Returns, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever. The film served as a sequel to Burton's previous films but with another Bruce Wayne. Keaton was replaced by Val Kilmer, who portrayed a different Batman, this time fighting against Two-Face and The Riddler. The new actor brought a sense of swashbuckling to the role, in keeping with Schumacher's still-controversial campier take on the character.

Thankfully, the Caped Crusader had his valuable sidekick, Robin (Chris O'Donnell). Batman Forever grossed more than Batman Returns, but didn't do as well with the critics. Regardless, the blame never fell on Kilmer. Fans still agree that he's the funniest Batman, which can be a good thing depending on the perspective.

10 George Clooney's Batman Had An Infamous Costume

1997 marked the premiere of Batman and Robin, the fourth installment of the first Batman series, directed by Joel Schumacher. Again, the series had a change of cast. While Chris O'Donnell reprised his role as Dick Grayson aka Robin, Bruce Wayne was portrayed by George Clooney. They were joined by Alicia Silverstone playing Batgirl.

Although George Clooney is unarguably one of the most successful actors of his time, his Batman is generally considered one of the worst depictions of the hero. This, combined with the movie's flippant humor and the hideous Batsuit (rubber nipples included), didn't give the movie a chance. Decades later, Clooney made a surprise appearance as Bruce Wayne in the closing scene of The Flash, though this shouldn't lead audiences to suspect that he'll make any future appearances in the franchise anytime soon.

9 Christian Bale Brought Batman's Gritty Persona To Life

In 2005, following Batman and Robin's failure, Warner Bros. kicked off a new Batman franchise. Written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight trilogy soon established itself as a must-watch when it comes to superhero movies.

This had a lot to do with Christian Bale's performance as Batman. Bale was amazing in the role because he managed to convey both Batman's edge and Bruce Wayne's shallow persona without missing a beat. The actor succeeded at walking the fine line between dark and light that makes Batman so popular.

8 Kevin Conroy Voiced Batman For Years Before Playing Him In The Arrowverse

Kevin Conroy has an extensive filmography, but few works earned him the love of the public like his voice acting for Batman in dozens of different projects. He later admitted that Batman saved him during a very dark time of his life in a DC Pride 2022 story called "Finding Batman." Conroy also portrayed the character in the Arrowverse.

During Crisis on Infinite Earths, he played a Kingdom Come-inspired Bruce Wayne, who dons an exoskeleton to help him walk after spending years fighting as a vigilante. This iconic performance was Conroy's last live-action work before his unfortunate passing in November 2022. He also provided the voice for Batman in 2024's upcoming video game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which marks his final performance in the iconic role.

7 Will Arnett Was So Memorable As Lego Batman He Got His Own Movie

Everything is awesome, especially Will Arnett's voice role as Lego Batman in The Lego Movie. Despite a small screen time, Arnett's Lego Batman stole the show with his hilariously serious demeanor.

Arnett's performance was so popular, Lego Batman got his own solo movie called The Lego Batman Movie. Arnett has also since used his Lego experience to become the host of Fox's Lego Masters reality TV series. Arnett voiced Lego Batman one last time in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Whether or not Arnett returns as Lego Batman remains to be seen, as a sequel to The Lego Batman Movie was canceled, but fingers crossed he does.

6 Troy Baker Is The Other Voice Of Lego Batman

If Will Arnett doesn't return to voice Lego Batman, Troy Baker is well-equipped to take his place. Baker is one of the most prolific voice actors of modern times and is perhaps best known for voicing Joel in The Last of Us video games while also making a cameo in the TV adaptation.

Baker is no stranger to the Batman world as he's voiced Lego Batman numerous times in direct-to-video releases. Not to mention non-Lego Batman in Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If that's not enough, Baker has also voiced The Joker in the video game Batman: Arkham Origins as well as three different versions of Robin – Tim Drake in Batman: Arkham City, Dick Grayson's Nightwing in Injustice: Gods Among Us, and Jason Todd in Batman: Arkham Knight.

5 David Mazouz Played An Untested Bruce Wayne

Mazouz played Wayne in the Gotham TV series: still a very young man in search of himself. He projects vulnerability and tragedy, as well as hope for the future, while figures like Ben McKenzie's Jim Gordon struggle to keep a lid on Gotham's underworld. But he also showed Wayne's intelligence and ability to unravel the criminal mind, as well as his burning desire to make a difference in his version of the DC Universe.

He never donned the cape and cowl save for one brief shot at the very end of the series. But that wasn't his purpose in the series. Instead, he provided a unique look at the character's development early in life, and how they shaped the hero he would ultimately become. His Wayne is a work in progress by design, making him one of the only actors to seriously look at the character before he launches his crimefighting career.

4 Ben Affleck Became The DCEU's Batman

In 2016, Ben Affleck appeared for the first time as Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film, which pitted these two iconic DC heroes, received mixed reviews, but Affleck's performance surprised critics. In the following years, he reprised the role for other DCEU films.

Ben Affleck's commitment to the role was strong enough that he planned to write, direct, and star in The Batman. Unfortunately, the star had to change his priorities due to personal problems. Before Gunn and Safran rebooted the DCEU, Affleck made one final appearance in The Flash.

3 Iain Glen Played Bruce Wayne As A Mentor

Wayne periodically appears as an older man, having put the cape and cowl behind him and now serving as a mentor to a young protégé. Both Kevin Conroy and Michael Keaton got a chance to show their versions of The Caped Crusader in such a light. Actor Iain Glen, however, came to the role for that specific purpose. Titans focuses in large part on Dick Grayson's journey, as he steps out of Batman's shadow for the first time and takes up the mantle of Nightwing.

Glen's Bruce Wayne was there to challenge and test him at every opportunity. His approach was often flawed and tinged with self-centeredness — Wayne isn't the most socially well-adjusted superhero in the world — but ultimately helped Dick on his journey. It ended with a symbolic passing of the torch, with Wayne finally bowing out and Grayson becoming his own man without his pointy-eared adoptive father looking over his shoulder.

2 Whoa! Keanu Reeves Voiced Batman In DC League Of Super-Pets

Keanu Reeves had long been a popular fan-casting for Batman. Fans of Reeves and Batman finally got their wish – just not in the way they expected. Reeves plays Bruce Wayne and Batman in DC League of Super-Pets, an animated film that focuses not on traditional DC heroes, but their pets, particularly Superman's dog Krypto.

DC League of Super-Pets was received well by critics and its revenue easily surpassed its $90 million budget, opening the door for multiple sequels. Whether or not Reeves will return remains to be seen, but if Ace, the boxer voiced by Kevin Hart, returns, so will his owner Bruce Wayne.

1 Robert Pattinson Surprised Batman Fans With His Solid Performance