If you haven’t heard, Christian Bale is no longer playing Batman. Rumors are swirling that he is replacing Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight. But why did the Hollywood studio decide to go in another direction? Find out what fans of The Batman could possibly hope for in terms of a future casting decision!
The Dark Knight Is More Than Just A Film
One of the most popular rumors swirling around Hollywood is that Christian Bale is no longer playing Batman. Since his portrayal of the cape-less superhero in the hugely successful The Dark Knight, Bale has become somewhat of a superstar himself. He recently wrapped production on his highly anticipated sequel, The New Batman, and the pressure is certainly on. According to various reports, Bale is looking to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight as the next Batman.
But while Christian Bale is undoubtedly one of the best actors currently working in Hollywood, he is by no means the only option available to play Batman. As it turned out, Robert Pattinson was originally considered for the role before Bale came on board. His star quickly rose as Twilight became a worldwide phenomenon. Since then, he has appeared in a number of films including Remember Me, Cosmopolis, and the upcoming Hitchcock. He also signed on for the highly anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey adaptation alongside Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, and other famous Hollywood names. So while his career may not be as well-known as Christian Bale’s, it is certainly no slouch either.
But why did the studio choose Bale over Pattinson? There are many reasons; here are just a few of them.
Bale’s Experience As An Actor
As an actor, Christian Bale has decades of experience playing some of the most iconic characters in Hollywood. While he may not be the best known for playing Batman, he certainly has a great deal of experience playing other superheroes such as The Dark Knight and Batman Begins. What’s more is that he has also played some of the most interesting and complex characters in recent memory including Dick Cheney in The American President as well as former CIA director and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in the World War Z adaptation. He is also known for playing real-life role models such as Harvey Dent and Joe McCarthy.
This is undoubtedly a very versatile and experienced actor who would be able to bring something new to the role of Batman. The fact that he is interested in playing the role is also a great indication of how much demand there is for this type of film. It would be a real shame if Pattinson, an amazing young actor who is highly regarded for his natural acting abilities, was passed over simply because he is not Christian Bale. It wouldn’t be the first time that this has happened either. Remember when Angelina Jolie was rumored to be playing the role of Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider? Many believed that it was a big mistake because she is not a real-life action hero and does not have the experience needed to pull off the role. Fortunately, it turned out that Charlize Theron was a perfect fit for the part and she ended up playing Lara Croft instead. So while there is always a chance that Robert Pattinson could end up playing Batman, it would be a shame if he did not get the chance simply because he is not Christian Bale. He has the ability to pull off amazing acting and has already proved that he can play both comic book characters and real-life role models. So if he was ever given the chance to play Batman, he would most definitely make the most out of it.
The Mainstream Appeal Of Batman
While most people have probably never heard of Christian Bale, the fact that Batman is one of the most recognizable film characters in existence is certainly a testament to his mainstream appeal. He has been the subject of many a meme on TikTok and other social media platforms due to his amazing jawline and movie star looks. While memes are always funny, they also highlight the fact that there is an audience for this type of content. This is important because it means one thing: there is an audience out there that would still want to see a Batman movie even though Christian Bale is no longer playing the Dark Knight. So while it would be great to see Charlize Theron play the role of Batgirl or Rosie Perez play the role of Harley Quinn, the fact that Christian Bale is not available means that there is still a chance that they may not happen. But the mainstream appeal of Batman means that there is still an audience that would want to see movies about the caped crusader even if they haven’t heard of him before.
Pattinson’s Ambition To Play A Major Role
Another important factor that may have had something to do with Bale’s casting is that Robert Pattinson was apparently hoping to play a major role in a film. Since he was first considered for the role of Batman, Pattinson has established himself as one of Hollywood’s busiest actors. He has appeared in numerous high profile films including the aforementioned Twilight Saga as well as Beautiful Creatures, The Lost City, and The Lost Boys. He also played a major role in the highly anticipated movie Murder on the Orient Express. So far, 2018 has been a very good year for the 25-year-old Australian actor. He has played some of Hollywood’s most memorable and iconic characters including Dracula and the Beast in The Legend of Kieran. Most recently, he appeared in the movie adaptation of The Witcher alongside Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan. Like Christian Bale, he is also known for playing real-life role models including Jean-Luc Picard in the upcoming Star Trek: Picard and Dick Cheney in the upcoming The American President. So while it would be great to see some of Hollywood’s most iconic characters switch genders and race, it is important to remember that these movies are still about fictional people who exist in make-believe worlds.
Bale’s Relationships With Women
Another difference between Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson is that the former has had a long-term relationship with one of Hollywood’s most famous and beautiful actresses, Emma Stone. While most Hollywood stars keep their personal life and professional life separate, it is clear that Bale and Stone are very much a couple. They have been seen holding hands and walking arm in arm during numerous award shows and other glamorous events. They also keep in touch through social media even though they have both gone public with their engagement in separate interviews. The two seem to be especially close as they have frequently collaborated as well. Stone even dressed up as Batman’s sidekick, Alfred, for Halloween last year. Whether or not this was an homage to their on-screen characters remains to be seen. But while their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, it was also clear that the two had trouble finding the right balance between romance and friendship when they appeared together on Jimmy Kimmel Live! In the interview, they both talked about how much they miss being professionals. While they may be good at acting, they reportedly found that they were better friends than lovers after years of working together. If they can find the right relationship (read: not a publicity stunt), then maybe they can finally play Batman and Batgirl together. Or at least act out their infamous fight scene from The Dark Knight Rises!
Although there is always the chance that Christian Bale may one day play Batman, it would be best if Robert Pattinson got the role. Not only is he a great young talent who can bring something new to the table, but he also has the ability to help put a smile on everyone’s face with his laidback charm. At the very least, it would be great to see him play the role of Batman in future movies. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, Christian Bale will see the error of his ways and want to play the part again. Until then, we have Robert Pattinson.