The Batman trilogy by Christopher Nolan is highly regarded by many fans. This also applies to the lead actor Christian Bale. However, another actor was initially considered for the bat costume.
Who is the best Batman? A question that has long occupied fans. After all, several actors have embodied the iconic role. For example, Michael Keaton in Tim Burton’s films, Ben Affleck in the DC Extended Universe, or earlier, Adam West in the 60s series.
However, the most popular may be Christian Bale in the role. In three films by Christopher Nolan, he gave Batman a new face. Namely in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. An iconic line from the second part of the series still haunts Nolan to this day.
For many fans, Bale is THE Batman par excellence. But Christian Bale was not the first actor that Nolan wanted for the role.
Another Hollywood star was the first choice
Who was supposed to play Batman? When such a major role is cast in Hollywood, it is rare for only one actor to be considered. Even in the case of Batman, various stars auditioned.
Christopher Nolan initially had a clear favorite. We are talking about Jake Gyllenhaal. Most people probably know the actor from films like Donnie Darko, Prisoners or Nightcrawler. Recently, he appeared in the remake of Road House .
He was the first one Nolan wanted for Batman. The screenwriter of Batman Begins, David S. Goyer, remembers the time when a suitable actor was being sought:
We discussed all sorts of things. There were a number of people who had auditioned, and I had advocated for Gyllenhaal.
David S. Goyer via Happy, Sad, Confused
Jake Gyllenhaal also did a screen test to see if he fit the role. According to screenwriter Goyer, he would have been a very different Batman, but not necessarily worse than Bale.
Why exactly the creative minds behind the film series ultimately chose Bale remains unclear. After all, they succeeded in establishing a new, modern Batman in cinemas.
From Almost Superhero to Villain
What happened next with Jake Gyllenhaal? So the coveted role of the dark avenger did not go to the actor. Over the years, he has played various, often quite complex characters.
In 2019, however, he made a visit to the superhero genre. Ironically, at the competition of DC, Marvel, he played in Spider-Man: Far from Home. In it, Gyllenhaal is seen as the villain Mysterio.
Unlike Batman, in this role, he made the hero’s life difficult. Perhaps he will be seen in this role again in the future. He probably won’t become Batman – especially not under the direction of Christopher Nolan. The director particularly praises three actors – Bale is not among them.
