We asked AI who the best Batman actor is (and no, it’s not Michael Keaton)

Michael Keaton is often at the top of fans’ rankings when it comes to who is the best Batman, but AI apparently feels another actor is the best Dark Knight.

Over the last several decades, there are many amazing actors who have helped bring to life various iterations of DC’s most popular character: The Caped Crusader himself, Batman.

From video games and animated series to major blockbusters and hit television series, the Dark Knight has been a central part of DC Comics’ various storytelling mediums for years, During this time, we’ve seen countless actors step up to the play to portray one of the most recognizable and beloved comic book characters across the world with each bringing their own unique style and flare to the character.

If you ask any comic book fan who their favorite Batman actor is chances are they’ll easily be able to list off the name of the actor they see as the best of the best, and can also give you a detailed argument for why their performance was the greatest of them all. Because of the number of actors who have played the Caped Crusader over the years, there is often a lot of debate over who delivered the best performance of the character.

Some are loyal to Michael Keaton who was the first to play the character in a major blockbuster. Others might mention Kevin Conroy who voiced the character in many mediums across his career and even played the Dark Knight in the Arrowverse. Then there are those who believe Christian Bale delivered the ultimate performance across The Dark Knight trilogy of films. Others might throw a major curveball your way by selecting an underrated performer like Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, David Mazouz, or the latest actor to suit up as the Dark Knight, Robert Pattinson.

While there will always be debate among fans, AI seemed to have no problem selecting the actor it feels is the best Caped Crusader and fans might be shocked to learn it was not Michael Keaton.

Who is the best Batman? (According to AI)

While Michael Keaton often tops many lists ranking the best Batman actors, when we asked AI who the best Batman actor is it dubbed another iconic actor as the best to have played the Dark Knight. According to AI, Christian Bale is the best Batman actor, and here’s why:

"Well, let me tell you something, as a true DC fan, there’s no question about who the best Batman is. It’s none other than the Dark Knight himself, the one and only Christian Bale.Bale brought the perfect combination of brooding intensity, physicality, and emotional depth to the role. He perfectly captured the tormented psyche of Bruce Wayne, and his transformation into Batman was nothing short of mesmerizing. Plus, his gravelly voice as Batman was iconic and unforgettable.Sure, there have been other great actors who have played the role, like Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck, but Bale just took it to a whole new level. His performances in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises are truly masterful and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest superhero movies of all time.So, in my opinion, there’s no doubt that Christian Bale is the best Batman of all time, and he will always hold a special place in the hearts of DC fans everywhere."

Honestly, we have to admit we can understand why AI selected Christian Bale as the best Batman actor as he definitely played an incredible Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy of films. However, there is no denying Michael Keaton and Kevin Conroy are just as deserving of the title of being the best Batman actor as both delivered equally compelling and iconic performances as the Caped Crusader.

But hey, at least it didn’t tell us George Clooney was the best Batman. Now that is a statement we would have rolled our eyes over!