Now here's something we've all debated with our friends at some point or another: just who was it that played the best Batman? Who encompassed everything we love and expect from the character? Who was the worst? Who was so mediocre that they barely made an impact at all? All are questions that fanboys and conventional audiences alike still throw Batarangs at each other over to this day, but there's a lot to consider before just labeling the best representation of the Dark Knight on the big (and small) screen. For example, what an actor's track record and past work was like before they donned the cape n' cowl. Whether or not they had free reign to give their own interpretation of the character and gave us something unexpected. And of course, whether they were able to convince us that they were a believably tortured soul. I should mention that I'm only going to focus on the most well known of Batman actors. So the many actors who've voiced the character in the animated DC movies, and Lewis Wilson who played Batman in the serials from the 40's will not be considered in this list. To Batman purists who balk at that, I apologize. Also, this isn't a list about Bruce Wayne, so I wont be getting too much into the portrayals of both characters (with some minor exceptions). So without further ado... Worst
6. George Clooney (Batman & Robin)
This may seem like an obvious choice, but surely the worst Batman film would feature the worst Batman actor ever. While that's true, George Clooney's Batman isn't just guilty by association, he's guilty because he didn't even try. Now, we know George Clooney to be a great actor, and much like Kilmer, it's possible he could have turned in a great performance, had he been under competent direction and with the right screenplay. But Clooney just looks bored playing Batman, like he's just showing up, saying his dialogue and collecting his check. And he's the worst offender of all when it comes to not disguising his voice while dressed as Batman - he's just Bruce Wayne wearing bat-ears. Clooney's Batman is proof that you can't just hire someone to play Batman because they're a star and they have a huge box office draw. Casting the right actor matters - of course, the right material matters too, but that's another article.