1. George Clooney As Bruce Wayne/Batman - Batman & Robin (1997)
It might seem difficult to believe now, but it took George Clooney a while to become a certified Hollywood star - and even longer to become the kind who is as revered critically as they are at the box office. But with only From Dusk Till Dawn on his film-CV (in terms of major roles, though you could add One Fine Day as well), Clooney stepped into the Batsuit, nipples and all, to play the caped crusader - and, as hes admitted since in good humour, what a mistake that was. Its not that he wasnt ready for the big-screen (though it wasnt until a year later in Steven Soderberghs masterful Out of Sight that you really looked at Clooney and thought "yeah, hes got it") but rather that Clooney is so far removed from the ideal Batman actor that it beggars belief he was ever cast at all. More a Cary Grant than a Christian Bale, Clooney works best as a dashing yet bumbling presence - thats why hes such a great fit for filmmakers such as The Coens - handsome as anything, yes, but also kind of light, always imbuing roles with an undercurrent of sardonic humour. This is present in Batman & Robin (see the infamous Batman credit card scene), and while the film does veer, intentionally or not, towards the cartoonish side of the Batman canon, its not enough to make Clooney work in the role. Just look at the picture above: it was never going to happen. Any more terrible performances you want to shame? Head down to the comments and have your say.
