8. Ryan Gosling
A Batman film starring Ryan Golsing could just work; on the other hand something about the idea of it feels a little similar to when George Clooney had his turn. Clooney is a great actor, as is Gosling. It wasnt Clooneys fault that Batman & Robin didnt work, but he didnt suit the role so his casting didnt help. Gosling isnt Clooney though and as displayed by his performance in Drive, he can dirty his buff image and get nasty if and when he needs to. His performance in Drive not only demonstrated his ability to carry a film as a leading man, but to do so playing a man of few words, which might come in handy. With a few things on the horizon, one being a Terence Malick Project, one being Gangster Squad with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer and another being a re team with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn for a remake of Logans Run, there isnt a rom-com in sight. Its his collaboration with Refn on Drive that makes the idea of Gosling as Batman a consideration, potentially with Refn as director. In Drive, Refn was able to draw a level of intimidation from Gosling, one that hed need as Batman and one that he perhaps hadnt displayed prior to that film. Hed unlikely be every Batman fans first pick, but his mass appeal isnt something the studio will overlook. A look through Goslings bibliography shows that he makes interesting choices and has given some great performances, largely coming when the right director is on hand to rein him in if need be, so if someone like Refn was at the helm it would be ideal. His choices, acting style, physique and general appeal are not a million miles from Christian Bale, but a slightly younger model might be just what the studio want to trade in for.