The New Batman Should Be George Clooney ... Seriously

There's been a lot of internet chatter this past week about Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman for a series of films that would presumably focus on The Dark Knight's quest to rid the city of noisy teenagers. It sounded suspicious and turned out to be a load of guano. Nevertheless, that didn't stop fans from rampantly speculating that Keaton should play an elderly, retired Bruce in a live-action adaptation of Batman Beyond, the beloved cartoon that only exists because TV executives wanted a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Well, we have a suggestion; if they do decide to make a Batman Beyond movie, DC shouldn't hire Keaton. Sure we all love Michael Keaton, he's a goddamn American treasure, but he's already had two solid outings as the Caped Crusader. Maybe this hypothetical project could redeem another former Batman. Yes, we're talking about George Clooney.

Clooney's work in the much-maligned Batman & Robin is clearly a sore point with the actor who routinely brings up his Bat-regrets in interviews. But Clooney is now a far more seasoned actor than he was in 1997, and he's clearly in his "haggard old man" prime. 

Redonning the cowl would give Clooney a chance to rewrite his comic book movie legacy, provided he doesn't insist on putting a goddamn Nespresso machine in the Batcave. It could also work to help reform the reputation of Batman & Robin, which some critics have re-evaluated in recent years, heralding it as a classic of camp cinema (at the very least, it should claim the mantle of the horniest superhero movie of all-time). So please, give us the Clooney Batman just one more time ... we would also accept the return of Val Kilmer.

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Top Image: Warner Bros.