The Batman: Before Robert Pattinson’s superhero film, check out these actors who donned the iconic cape

The last time the caped crusader made a live-action appearance was in Zack Snyder's Justice League, portrayed by Ben Affleck

Batman has cemented his place as one of the most popular characters to come out of DC. The vigilante, alias the billionaire Bruce Wayne, the dark and brooding superhero was a welcome addition for comic book lovers who wanted a change from the colourful, righteous, all-round good guy image that Superman had projected. The character established himself as a pop culture fixture in due time, his popularity earning him a spot among the greatest comic book superheroes of all time.

So unsurprisingly, many filmmakers have tried their hand at bringing the iconic superhero to life on the silver screen, both in animated and live-action form. Matt Reeves’ The Batman is the most recent live-action rendition of the superhero, with Robert Pattinson donning the cape this time. Before catching him in the iconic role on March 4, here are a few other stars, who played the live-action version of the beloved superhero on the screen:

1. Lewis G. Wilson

This late American star holds a place in history as the first actor to portray Batman on screens. At the age of 23, Wilson essayed the role in a 1943, black and white series called Batman, which consisted of 15 parts. Set against the backdrop of the second World War, the series depicted the superhero as a secret agent of the United States government who had to battle against an original villain Dr. Daka, one who did not appear in the comics.

2. Robert Lowery

Lowery took the reins from Wilson for the sequel to the 1943 series. Titled Batman and Robin, the 15-part sequel series was released in 1949 and saw the majority of the cast of the original being replaced. The series saw the daring duo face off against a villain called the Wizard, who can control cars. Lowery’s performance in the role was much more well received than his predecessor’s. The actor also made a guest appearance as Batman in an episode of the series, Adventures of Superman.

3. Adam West

Very rarely did Batman see as much colour as he did when Adam West tackled the role. West portrayed the hero in the 1966 action comedy series Batman, which ran for three seasons. The show became popular for its camp style, the exaggerated antics of Batman and his mentee Robin (played by Burt Ward), adding a layer of humour, the superhero rarely indulged in. West reprised his role in a 1966 film, based on the show, which was the first ever full-length live-action Batman film.

4. Michael Keaton

When Tim Burton’s filmmaking magic and Michael Keaton’s acting prowess came together, the superhero got a new lease of life. Keaton essayed the role in the 1989 film, Batman, giving a proper answer to naysayers through his wonderful performance in the popular film. The film also saw Jack Nicholson give a formidable performance as Batman’s nemesis, the Joker. Keaton reprised his role as the titular hero in the film’s sequel as well, Batman Returns (1992). The 1992 film, also directed by Burton, featured Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Oswald, The Penguin. Keaton will also portray the superhero in the upcoming film, The Flash and Batgirl.

5. Val Kilmer

After Keaton, the cape passed on to Val Kilmer, who first donned it in the 1995 film, Batman Forever. In the film, Batman has a face-off against Two-Face and the Riddler, portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey, respectively. Chris O'Donnell also features as Dick Grayson/Robin. The actor again reprised his role in Batman & Robin. The film, directed by Joel Schumacher, did not manage to make as big an impact as its predecessor, but Kilmer’s performance as the titular hero was appreciated by some critics.

6. George Clooney

Although George Clooney has established himself as one of the most sought after leading men in Hollywood, his stint as Batman did not do his career any favours. Clooney replaced Kilmer as the titular superhero in the 1997 film, Batman & Robin, which went on to gain the status of one of the worst superhero films ever made. The film featured a list of high profile Hollywood stars, including Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who essayed the roles of Poison Ivy, Batgirl and Mr. Freeze. Donnel reprised his role as Robin, while Schumacher returned as the director.

7. Christian Bale

After the disaster that was Batman & Robin, filmmakers were uncertain about bringing the live-action version of the superhero to screens again, until Christopher Nolan took up the challenge. Under his watchful eye, Batman rose from the ashes in the most extraordinary way possible, with Christian Bale going on to star in the beloved The Dark Knight Trilogy. The trilogy consists of three films, Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), with Nolan helming all three. The trilogy has earned a spot among the greatest film trilogies, contemporary cinema has ever witnessed.

9. Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck was the last to play a live-action version of Batman, until he was succeeded by Pattinson. Although Affleck’s Batman did not have a film to himself, he did hold his own in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). In an instance of history repeating itself, like with Keaton, Affleck’s casting as Batman was not initially well-received either. His performances in the films, however, were able to turn the public opinion around to a certain extent. Affleck’s Batman also made an appearance in 2016’s Suicide Squad, in a scene, which involved Will Smith’s Deadshot.

Besides the actors mentioned above, Will Arnett also voices Batman in the Lego Movie franchise. His portrayal of the character in 2014’s The Lego Movie was so popular that the character headlined his own film in the form of The Lego Batman Movie (2017).

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