The INSIDER Summary:
• From Michael Keaton to Christian Bale, the role of Batman has a legacy.
• "Arrow" has included Batman references and characters in their storylines.
The moment Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) finally appeared on Supergirl this season, all bets were off as to which DC characters could make their way onto the CW’s Arrowverse. Number one on that list has to be Bruce Wayne/Batman. Fans have been clamoring for and asking if good ‘ol Bats will be making an appearance in any of the DC shows? Considering many Batman characters (e.g. Ra’s al Ghul) and elements have found their way onto Arrow, and Supergirl has dropped various Batman/Gotham hints, having Bruce and his alter-ego make an appearance seems plausible.
While Fox has the kid version of Bruce in Gotham and the DCEU has Ben Affleck donning the cowl, The CW could turn to producer Greg Berlanti to find a way to create its version of the iconic character. Whether we find Bruce on Earth-38 (Supergirl) or Earth-1 (Arrow, The Flash), his inclusion into the Arrowverse would be exciting. Bruce would probably be used in similar manner to Hoechlin’s Superman, in a supporting, guest star role. Batman won’t be getting his own show on The CW.
If Bruce Wayne/Batman makes an appearance in future crossover events, just who will step into his shoes? Our Batman would be mature and older than Oliver Queen, and a caliber of actor who would actually take a CW role. With that as our starting point, here are 15 Actors Who Could Play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Arrowverse.
15. Brant Daugherty
You may not know the name, but Brant Daugherty does have that Bruce Wayne look: he could pass for a billionaire playboy, while moonlighting as a masked vigilante with a brooding stare.
Best known for his role of Noel Kahn on Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars, Brant’s filmography consists of Days of Our Lives and some TV movies, so he’d be tackling the role with a clean slate. That fresh face factor is something The CW loves and has proven to be successful with, having gone with Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin as leads for their respective shows. Prior to becoming superheroes, both were guest-star guys with bit roles here and there on various TV series.
At 31, Brant is on the younger spectrum of the age-range for our Batman, but we’re confident he has the range and presence to more than hold his own with Amell, Gustin and the rest of the Arrowverse heroes. He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars, which is a bonus for him since The CW likes their heroes with singing and dancing backgrounds like Gustin, Melissa Benoist, and Caity Lotz.
14. Tom Welling
You have to love the twist of a former Superman playing Batman. The choice is almost too good to pass up. If a feature film Superman like Brandon Routh can become The Atom, why can’t Tom Welling become The Bat?
We all know that Welling gained a large fan following and praise for his portrayal of Clark Kent on the long running series, Smallville. Not only is the show one of The CW’s greatest successes but it paved the way for the current Arrowverse. Since the series wrapped up in 2011, Tom has kept a relatively low profile with small roles in movies like Draft Day. Now at 39 years-of-age, Welling’s appearance has changed from how we remember him as young Clark. Gone is the clean cut look, replaced with a scruffy beard and a short haircut that has a good amount of silver mixed in. This mature look, along with his former “Super” role, would instantly give Tom a seasoned veteran position amongst the new group of heroes we currently have. That experience is what no other actor on this list brings to the role of Bruce Wayne.
13. Wes Bentley
“I did always want to play Batman. I liked Batman because he had no super powers.” That’s what Wes Bentley told Larry King back in a 2015 interview. Not only does the actor want to play Batman but back before Ben Affleck landed the part in the DCEU, Christopher Nolan apparently suggested Wes for the role, having worked with him in Interstellar. With his breakout role in American Beauty in 1999, Bentley’s promising acting career languished after a publicized, dark personal battle with drugs. Now on the path of recovery, that experience could help him bring the dark edginess needed for the role of the Dark Knight.
While his career has been mostly in features, with films like The Hunger Games and Pete’s Dragon, Wes has recently appeared on TV in American Horror Story. The chance of finally getting to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in a guest role capacity, should be enough to entice Wes to make his way onto the Arrowverse. With a piercing eyes, classic leading man features and at 38-years-old, Wes looks the part for our Batman. Bringing with him an air of danger, he’s certainly capable of delivering unhinged energy to play the dual personas.
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