Batman Actors Through the Years: 8 Stars Who Have Taken the Role from Adam West to Ben Affleck [PHOTOS]
Over the course of Batman's evolution, the iconic superhero has been played by a variety of actors.
In the highly anticipated Man of Steel 2 a.k.a. Batman vs. Superman, Ben Affleck will be taking on the coveted role. He will have to contend with a number of previous actors who have become well-known for playing Bruce Wayne's alter ego.
The first Batman depicted on film was played by Lewis Wilson, in the 1943 serial Batman. Robert Lowery took over as Batman in the 1949 serial Batman and Robin. With the character's popularity growing, he soon got his own TV show. Adam West played the character in the campy 1960s series Batman.
Many years later, Michael Keaton won the role for Tim Burton's dark adaptation Batman in 1989. He reprised the role in the 1992 film Batman Returns. Val Kilmer played the character in Batman Forever (1995) and George Clooney played him in Batman & Robin (1998)
The character was rebooted again, this time with director Christopher Nolan giving him an even grittier style. Christian Bale played Batman in Batman Begins 2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), also known as the Dark Knight trilogy.
It remains to be seen what Affleck will do with his version of Batman.
Here's a look at all eight actors who have (or will play) Batman:
