After The Dark Knight Rises: 10 Actors Who Should Play Batman in Reboot

By David Howland / January 22, 2013

1. Joe Manganiello A likely unknown to many, Manganiello up to this point is mostly associated with his television work, most recently as Alcide Herveaux in True Blood. The reason Manganiello made the list is because he so far seems to be the only one publically putting his name into the ring to be considered as the next caped crusader. This early act of self-promotion perhaps shouldnt be discounted. Manganiello lost out Henry Cavill in Zack Snyders little seen show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Superman? after his commitments to True Blood took him out of the running ok so that wasnt a show, but he the guy was nearly cast as Superman and now he wants the Batman gig. A self-proclaimed fan boy, Manganiello spoke to Aint In Cool News about potentially becoming cinemas next Bruce Wayne:

I grew up, as a kid, I read comic books, and I watched every single comic book movie that ever... You know, I was a big sci-fi fan, I was just that kid. Im a fanboy at heart. So, yeah, that is on my radar

Appearing in Soderberghs upcoming male stripper movie, Magic Mike, Manganiello certainly looks the part. If the studio is looking for a fairly clean-cut, chiseled Batman whos of a similar age and stature to Christian Bale, Manganiello may just be their man. The studios will know having a bit of a hunk factor (again, not a show) wouldnt do them any harm in terms of box office, especially when said hunk is a classically trained actor. Manganiello isnt isnt a complete stranger to the comic book movie world either, appearing briefly as Mary-Jane interest and Peter Parker bully, Flash Thompson in the 2002 film version of Spiderman. At this stage itd surely be foolish to discount him.