7 best actors who almost played Batman (and 2 who should have)

Actors who should’ve played Batman…

Bill Skarsgård

• Age: 33


• Most Notable Roles: It, Barbarian, The Devil All the Time, John Wick: Chapter 4


• Awards: Nominated for 1 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Award

Someone I’d consider to be still an up-and-coming actor with huge talent is Bill Skarsgård, younger brother to Alexander and Gustaf Skarsgård and son to Stellan Skarsgård. He’s appeared in several horror movies and shows in his career so far, including his most notable: Andy Muschietti’s It movies, in which he played the iconic villain Pennywise. His portrayal of the dancing clown rivals Tim Curry’s; he’s absolutely awesome in the role.

Skarsgård has proven his range in the titles he’s been in so far, and I could totally see him going after more big blockbuster movies. While he’d be fantastic as a Batman villain (people want him to play the Joker), I’d really love to see him play the Caped Crusader himself. It’s not difficult to imagine him starring in The Batman, though there’s no doubt Pattinson’s doing a great job.

Fans of Skarsgård have a lot to look forward to, though, because he has really exciting stuff on the way. Next up, he’ll be playing Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu movie, and he’s also been cast to star in the upcoming reboot of The Crow. Certainly, those two roles should put him on the map even more. And perhaps that’ll lead to a role in the DC universe, even if it’s not Bruce Wayne.

Oscar Isaac

• Age: 44


• Most Notable Roles: Ex Machina, Drive, Inside Llewyn Davis, Star Wars: Episodes VII, VIII, and IX


• Awards: Won 1 Golden Globe

Who doesn’t love Oscar Isaac? The talented, charismatic actor could make any movie or show worth watching, and to be honest I’d probably at least try anything he stars in. And as much as people have fan-casted him to play Batman, I’m surprised he hasn’t at least been in the running before! He has the presence and looks to play a brooding superhero — I mean, he already did an amazing job bringing the Marvel character Moon Knight to life in the Disney Plus series last year.

There have been rumors that claim Isaac has been in consideration for various roles in the DC universe, though nothing’s come to fruition yet. But that hasn’t stopped the fans from rallying around him, with a Change.org petition even being launched to get Isaac cast as Batman in Andy Muschietti’s upcoming movie The Brave and the Bold, albeit it only has 12 signatures.

It was announced in 2020 that Isaac was attached to an adaptation of the DC Comics series Ex Machina, under the new name The Great Machine. According to the actor in a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the project is still happening, but they’re “still figuring it out.”

Even if Isaac doesn’t have Batman in his future, I’m certain he will continue to scoop up starring roles across genres. He’s such a force.