7 best actors who almost played Batman (and 2 who should have)
Tom Hanks
- Age: 67
- Most Notable Roles: Cast Away, Forrest Gump, Captain Phillips, The Da Vinci Code
- Awards: Won 2 Academy Awards
When it came time to recast Michael Keaton in Batman Forever, many names were considered for the coveted role. According to Collider, Tom Hanks was at the top of the list, as he was (and still is) a very in-demand actor. Details are scarce regarding how far into the process he made it, if at all, but reports say he was definitely considered.
Hanks later explained why the role wasn’t right for him while appearing on The Graham Norton Show, where he joked about how badly it would’ve turned out.
The talented actor has been on our screens for decades now, delivering some of the most memorable performances of all time. He can be funny, he can be sad, he can be scared, he can be angry, and literally everything in between. He’s fantastic at portraying a wide range of emotions and can really bring humanity to each role he takes on, whether it’s a fictional or real person. I had never imagined Hanks playing Batman, but now I can’t stop thinking about it!
Daniel Day-Lewis
- Age: 66
- Most Notable Roles: There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, Lincoln, In the Name of the Father
- Awards: Won 3 Academy Awards
One of the best actors of our time is Daniel Day-Lewis, who I simply cannot say enough good things about. Part of his undeniable allure is that he is very picky with roles, which has only benefitted his career, I think. That said, Batman is reportedly one of the many parts he turned down. Screen Rant reports that the actor was also considered for the role when producers were recasting for Batman Forever, but apparently he “showed very little interest” in the opportunity. That’s not surprising.
The publication also reports that Day-Lewis was rumored to be considered to play The Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises, though that hasn’t been confirmed by anyone involved. Zack Snyder has been open about the fact that he wanted the actor to be his General Zod in his movie Man of Steel, but that, of course, did not work out.
After starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie Phantom Thread in 2017, Day-Lewis retired from acting.