Rumor: Warner Bros. Wants Older Batman For ‘Batman Vs. Superman’
WhenZack Snyderand Warner Bros.announcedthat the follow-up toMan of Steelwould feature a conflict between Batman and Superman, many questions were raised. The title is one; we’re usingBatman vs Supermanfor the time being, but the final title could be different. The precise story is another question, especially since Snyder used a line fromFrank Miller’sThe Dark Knight Returnsto introduce the concept to an audience at Comic C0n. While we know that the film won’t be a direct adaptation of Miller’s series, that planted a seed of expectation in fans.
The other big question is: who will play Batman? Warner Bros. needs a new actor, as Christian Bale’s time in the cowl expired with the end of Christopher Nolan’s directorial run. Armie Hammer, once cast as Batman in aJustice Leaguefilm that never happened, has been once name people are asking about. He says he doesn’t want to do it. Armie’s interest or lack thereof might not even matter, as the new rumor is that Warner Bros. is willing to cast an older actor in the role — fueling more speculation thatThe Dark Knight Returnswill bemore of an influencethan Snyder suggested at first.
First up, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re still in wild speculation mode, asDavid Goyeris reportedly still working on the film’s script.
But talk atBatman on Filmsays that WB is looking at an actor in his mid-40s for a version of Batman who would be “a grizzled veteran who has been on the job for several years.” Names being thrown around — unofficially — include Jon Hamm, Gerard Butler, and Josh Brolin. The last seems like a great notion; I’d watch Brolin as Batman in a second.
Meanwhile, people are still asking Armie Hammer about playing Batman. The actor was cast in the role by George Miller when Miller was prepping hisJustice Leaguefilm a few years back. Hammer was an unknown at the time, but the film was called off, and he developed his own career through films likeThe Social NetworkandJ. Edgar. Hammertold us that he wasn’t interested in playing Batman now, but the question continues to come his way.
Hammer is still on theLone Rangerpress trail, and after a recent question about playing Batman he toldMetro"I’m not actually a big fan of superhero films. If you have a guy who is supposed to be invulnerable, then what’s the point?" (Never mind that his Lone Ranger character may or may not be invulnerable, depending on whether or not you believe Tonto.)
With regards to appearing in Batman Vs. Superman, he demurred based on the fact that he and Henry Cavill are about to doThe Man From UNCLE, saying “I think if Henry and I did that film and then a superhero film straight after, people might start to wonder about us…”
