12 Actors Who Might Have Been Batman
![12 Actors Who Might Have Been Batman](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/4/0/9/828409_320x180.jpg)
In a world of caped crusaders, there is only one Dark Knight. For nearly 80 years, Batman has been fighting crime in Gotham City, using his unrivaled deductive skills and physical prowess to bring justice to the city's dark streets. But Batman is more than just a superhero - he's also a symbol of hope for those who have lost their way. In a post-Superman world, Batman represents the best that we can be - even in the face of great adversity. He is proof that anyone can make a difference, no matter how dark their past may be. So put on your cape and cowl and join the fight - because Gotham needs its hero now more than ever.
Nicholas Hoult is no stranger to the world of superheroes, having played the Beast in X-Men: First Class and Days of Future Past. However, he almost took on the role of another famous comic book character: Batman. Hoult was reportedly in talks to play the caped crusader in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel sequel, but the part ultimately went to Ben Affleck. Hoult isn't the only actor who was considered for the role; other contenders included Josh Brolin and Joe Manganiello. In the end, Snyder decided to go with an older actor to play Bruce Wayne, and Hoult missed out on the chance to don the iconic Batsuit.
Josh Hartnett
![Josh Hartnett Hartnett turned down the role to Batman in Batman Begins, which he regrets, saying, People don't like being told no. I don't like it. I learned my lesson when Christopher Nolan and I talked about Batman. I decided it wasn't for me. Then he didn't want to put me in The Prestige. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/9/827969.jpg)
Source: The Guardian
Johnny Depp
![Johnny Depp Johnny Depp talked to Tim Burton about playing Batman in Batman Begins, saying Burton (the producer) was trying to get him a shot at the role, but the director and movie heads turned it down. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/8/827968.jpg)
Source: Comic Book Movie
Armier Hammer
![Armie Hammer Hammer got the part of Bruce Wayne in Justice League: Mortal...until it was scrapped after the writer's strike of 2008. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/7/827967.jpg)
Source: ScreenRant
Jake Gyllenhaal
![Jake Gyllenhaal Source Gyllenhaal was in the running to play Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. That's not the only superhero he's almost been... Gyllenhaal almost played Spider-Man in Spider-Man 2 when Tobey Maguire was on the fence about returning. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/6/827966.jpg)
Source: Daily Mail
Josh Brolin
![Josh Brolin Brolin was in the running to play Batman in Batman V Superman but would go on to say, We indirectly talked about it, but we never got to the point because I wasn't the guy for him. I'm really glad it didn't happen. I haven't thought twice about it. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/3/827963.jpg)
Source: Comic Book Movie
Heath Ledger
![Heath Ledger Nolan originally talked to Ledger about playing the part of Batman in Batman Begins. Ledger turned him down but luckily accepted Dark Knight's supervillain instead, and the script was written with him as the Joker in mind. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/6/2/827962.jpg)
Source: MTV
Mel Gibson
![Mel Gibson Tim Burton's Batman almost had Mel Gibson as Bruce Wayne, but he was already under contract for Lethal Weapon 2. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/5/827955.jpg)
Source: MovieHole
Nicholas Hoult
![Nicholas Hoult The Batman's titular character came down between Robert Pattison and Hoult, both wearing a suit for a final screentest. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/5/2/827952.jpg)
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Cillian Murphy
![Cillian Murphy The Scarecrow actor originally auditioned for the role of Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. Не even screentested with Amy Adams who was serving as an audition reader. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/9/827929.jpg)
Source: Hollywood Reporter
William Baldwin
![William Baldwin The actor has voiced Batman in Justice League, but he was also one of the top choices for Batman in Batman & Robin. Не once said, That Friday afternoon, I thought I was playing Batman - and then Monday morning, the headlines in the trades said that George Clooney had gotten the part. So apparently, I did actually come very close. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/8/827928.jpg)
Source: Comic Book Movie
Ethan Hawke
![Ethan Hawke Ethan Hawke turned down being Batman in Batman Returns, saying, This was after Tim Burton's, before the bad period. I just didn't want to go to the Knicks game and have everybody go, 'Wow, you were a great Batman!' Now I wish I'd done it, because I could have used it to do other things. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/5/827925.jpg)
Source: Details
Pierce Brosnan
![Pierce Brosnan The James Bond actor said Tim Burton approached him about playing Batman but he turned him down because I just couldn't really take it seriously, any man who wears his underpants outside his pants just cannot be taken seriously. That was my foolish take on it. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/1/827921.jpg)
Source: Pierce Brosnan's AMA