Who's the worst Batman?

[The Fat Bioware Nerd]

Who do you think is the worst Batman? For me it's a tie between Adam West, George Clooney, and Rino Romano.

[Rengori]

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/c/a/3/ca3951c845b500fa90a5c0d79431ef16.gif

[The Ceej]

When I saw the title of the thread, I immediately thought, "George Clooney."

Adam West shouldn't count because he's playing a different Batman. He's a Batman from a sitcom which is a completely different type of portrayal which has nothing to do with the Batmans from the movies.

The problem with George Clooney is not that he can't act, but rather than he chose not to portray Batman the same way Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer played him in the past, but rather in a comedic fashion. This was completely inappropriate because the role was already defined by previous actors and he had no freedom in defining the role. This is exactly the reason I'm against replacing actors. It seems hardly any actors can play a role that has already been defined.

Dick Seargent
Dan Castalanetta
Sarah Chalke
George Clooney
Jonathan Brandis/Jason James Richter
Nick Stahl
Justin Whalin
Robert John Burke
Robert Floyd
Daphne Reid

All of these people and many more tried to follow roles defined by a previous actor and all of them failed. And the reason they all failed is that they all tried to make the role their own rather than playing the way it was already defined. Most of these actors were in other stuff in which they were great, but that doesn't change the fact they can't follow roles which were already defined.

So yeah. George Clooney is the worst Batman.

[Big Boss]

Same as above, George Clooney was the worst Batman in the movies of Batman. Its that obvious.

[Kirobaito]

Yeah, this is hardly even a debate that it's Clooney. But I think most of the blame goes to Schumacher for trying to make a campy movie without going to a full camp of the sitcom and Adam West's Batman.

[Fonzie]

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x72/TheFonz2010/2wnoe2q.gif

Christian Bale is my favorite, but I really didn't like Clooney.

[CloudDragon]

Val Kilmer was the best just because Val Kilmer rules. Clooney was a bad batman.

[Sweet Beloved]

Clooney.

[Comet]

All I know is that Michael Keaton was the best Batman.

[Shiny]

All I know is that Michael Keaton was the best Batman.

Agreed. And George Clooney is the worst.

[Ryth]

George Clooney was the worst, that's pretty much been established.

[kikimm]

I really did not enjoy Michael Keaton as Batman. I can't really explain it or defend myself, I just didn't like him in that role. Maybe it's just because he wasn't pretty enough.

[DK]

Adam West is the greatest Batman by so far it's not even funny. George Clooney was pretty bad though.

[Shlup]

Everyone but Adam West. Adam West is a god.

Also, totally what kikimm said. I liked Christian Bale.

[Wolf Kanno]

George Clooney was pretty bad but I blame Joel Schumacher and his inabilty to direct as the fault. To be honest Joel makes a similiar mistake that the Ceej brought up about Clooney's portrayel. Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place. Joel sorta tried to meld what Tim did with the old 60's sitcom to disasterous results. I demand new Batman films with Two Face and Mr. Freeze portrayed in a darker and grimer setting (Batman the Animated Series FTW!)

On topic, I hate Val Kilmer (he's pretty and emo) and George was pretty bad as well...

Adam West should not even count cause the 60's sitcom is an entity of itself and should not be compared to the movies or original source material. It's cheese makes it golden...:D

[Slothy]

Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place.

I disagree completely. Though I liked Burton's Batman films as a child, I find them unwatchable now. All of the characters are horridly portrayed, and at the best of times I end up laughing for all of the wrong reasons. He didn't do as bad a job as Joel, but he doesn't even come close to the job that Nolan did with Batman Begins.

Anywho, Clooney was the worst, but I'm plenty hesitant to blame him for it. He knew it was a crappy movie and simply didn't care as a result, thus deciding to play Batman gay. I'm even hesitant to totally blame Schumacher as much of the crap in Batman & Robin was forced on him by the producers/studio, and he at least admits it was a terrible movie for all the same reasons fans hate it. As such, of the serious Batman portrayals I'll go with Val Kilmer with Michael Keaton coming a very close second.

[XxSephirothxX]

Clooney, if we're just talking about movie Batmen. I think Bale absolutely nailed the role, but I'm not sure who I'd put second. I do like the old Batman films, but Michael Keaton never seemed to fit for me. I didn't mind him in the movies, but I do not think of him when I think "Batman." Val Kilmer deserved a better movie, but I think Batman Forever wasn't half-bad just because of him.

[Kirobaito]

George Clooney was pretty bad but I blame Joel Schumacher and his inabilty to direct as the fault. To be honest Joel makes a similiar mistake that the Ceej brought up about Clooney's portrayel. Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place. Joel sorta tried to meld what Tim did with the old 60's sitcom to disasterous results. I demand new Batman films with Two Face and Mr. Freeze portrayed in a darker and grimer setting (Batman the Animated Series FTW!)

On topic, I hate Val Kilmer (he's pretty and emo) and George was pretty bad as well...

Adam West should not even count cause the 60's sitcom is an entity of itself and should not be compared to the movies or original source material. It's cheese makes it golden...:D
The sequel to the Dark Knight will probably have Two Face in it. Mr. Freeze is probably a long way off... we'll probably get the Riddler, Catwoman, and the Penguin before Freeze is introduced in the current franchise.

[The Fat Bioware Nerd]

Did you guys notice that Val Kilmer kind of sounded like Adam West when he was wearing the batsuit?

[Araciel]

lol batman movies suck

also, clooney

[The Fat Bioware Nerd]

lol batman movies suck

also, clooney


Batman Begins was a better reboot film than Superman Returns.

And Batman Begins was a better video game than Superman Returns because the last boss in Superman Returns was a fucking TORNADO!

At least you get to fight Ra's Al Ghul at the end of Batman Begins.

[Wolf Kanno]

Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place.

I disagree completely. Though I liked Burton's Batman films as a child, I find them unwatchable now. All of the characters are horridly portrayed, and at the best of times I end up laughing for all of the wrong reasons. He didn't do as bad a job as Joel, but he doesn't even come close to the job that Nolan did with Batman Begins.

Anywho, Clooney was the worst, but I'm plenty hesitant to blame him for it. He knew it was a crappy movie and simply didn't care as a result, thus deciding to play Batman gay. I'm even hesitant to totally blame Schumacher as much of the crap in Batman & Robin was forced on him by the producers/studio, and he at least admits it was a terrible movie for all the same reasons fans hate it. As such, of the serious Batman portrayals I'll go with Val Kilmer with Michael Keaton coming a very close second.


To be honest I think the "Animated Series" represented the Batman franchise the best but Burton's work are not so terrible. I agree Batman Begins is a superior movie to the others. Of course I'm a Tim Burton fan so I am a little bias about his way of doing things. Of anything, I think Burton portrayed Gotham the best and I do enjoy his work on Bruce Wayne's character in the first film.

[Araciel]

lol batman movies suck

also, clooney


Batman Begins was a better comeback movie than Superman Returns.

And Batman Begins was a better video game than Superman Returns because the last boss in Superman Returns was a smurfing TORNADO!

At least you get to fight Ra's Al Ghul at the end of Batman Begins.

comparing crap to :skull::skull::skull::skull: doesn't make it gold. but you're right...batman begins was good...i don't lump it in with the others because i hate 'em

[The Fat Bioware Nerd]

comparing crap to :skull::skull::skull::skull: doesn't make it gold. but you're right...batman begins was good...i don't lump it in with the others because i hate 'em

I can understand why you hate the Burton & Schumacher films but to be honest I kind of resent Batman Begins because during the shooting of Batman Begins a new cartoon series called "The Batman" debuted on Kid's WB and I HATE that tv show.:mad2:

There's no doubt in my mind that "The Batman" is a marketing tie-in with Batman Begins.

[LunarWeaver]

I don't even remember Clooney's Batman anymore. I think I blocked that whole movie from my memory. But Clooney himself said he was horrible in that movie, so let's just say him. Bandwagon, wheee.

[Captain Maxx Power]

Anyone who says Adam West fails to know the true meaning of awesome.

As for my least favourite I'm going to go ahead and say Clooney out of sheer defaultness.

[Slothy]

To be honest I think the "Animated Series" represented the Batman franchise the best but Burton's work are not so terrible. I agree Batman Begins is a superior movie to the others. Of course I'm a Tim Burton fan so I am a little bias about his way of doing things. Of anything, I think Burton portrayed Gotham the best and I do enjoy his work on Bruce Wayne's character in the first film.

Agreed on the Animated Series. I also am a huge Burton fan believe it or not. I just can't stand his Batman movies. They were too campy for me, and I just feel he didn't really understand any of the characters.

[Hambone]

Adam West. His voice drives me up the wall.

[The Ceej]

Batman Begins was a better comeback movie than Superman Returns.

I don't think many people understand this, but Batman Begins is not part of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise. It was originally intended to be the beginning of a new Batman franchise. They signed Christian Bale for three films, but only one got made. The fact that no more were made furthers the illusion that it's part of the same franchise. And if it were, it would suck because there are hundreds of continuity problems. But alas no. It's a separate entity in its own. I can't speak for Superman Returns because I never saw Superman III or IV and it's been a long time since I saw the first two. It was a terrible movie, but the scene with the plane was worth the price of admission alone. I won't buy the DVD but I don't regret seeing it in the theaters.


George Clooney was pretty bad but I blame Joel Schumacher and his inabilty to direct as the fault. To be honest Joel makes a similiar mistake that the Ceej brought up about Clooney's portrayel. Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place. Joel sorta tried to meld what Tim did with the old 60's sitcom to disasterous results. I demand new Batman films with Two Face and Mr. Freeze portrayed in a darker and grimer setting (Batman the Animated Series FTW!)

Schumacher did ruin Burton's Batman franchise. That's true. But Schumacher directed Val Kilmer and he was still able to play Keaton's Batman. One can hardly blame Schumacher for Clooney's acting abilities. Yes, he can act. He just can't play a role previously defined as I stated earlier that most actors can't. Maybe if Clooney were able to play Keaton's Batman, then the movie might actually have been quasi-watchable.


Adam West should not even count cause the 60's sitcom is an entity of itself and should not be compared to the movies or original source material. It's cheese makes it golden...:DDamn straight.

[The Fat Bioware Nerd]

Batman Begins was a better reboot film than Superman Returns.

I don't think many people understand this, but Batman Begins is not part of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise.

Excuse me, I meant to type "reboot" but I wrote this post in the middle of the night and I was half asleep.

[Wolf Kanno]

To be honest I think the "Animated Series" represented the Batman franchise the best but Burton's work are not so terrible. I agree Batman Begins is a superior movie to the others. Of course I'm a Tim Burton fan so I am a little bias about his way of doing things. Of anything, I think Burton portrayed Gotham the best and I do enjoy his work on Bruce Wayne's character in the first film.

Agreed on the Animated Series. I also am a huge Burton fan believe it or not. I just can't stand his Batman movies. They were too campy for me, and I just feel he didn't really understand any of the characters.

To each their own I guess:) I personally feel Burton put enough humor and camp to make the films special and not fall into being too melodramatic. But glad to hear there is anothor Tim Burton fan on the forums.





George Clooney was pretty bad but I blame Joel Schumacher and his inabilty to direct as the fault. To be honest Joel makes a similiar mistake that the Ceej brought up about Clooney's portrayel. Tim Burton pretty much established what the Batman movies should be like and though Tim had quite a bit of humor in the films, it never felt too campy or out of place. Joel sorta tried to meld what Tim did with the old 60's sitcom to disasterous results. I demand new Batman films with Two Face and Mr. Freeze portrayed in a darker and grimer setting (Batman the Animated Series FTW!)

Schumacher did ruin Burton's Batman franchise. That's true. But Schumacher directed Val Kilmer and he was still able to play Keaton's Batman. One can hardly blame Schumacher for Clooney's acting abilities. Yes, he can act. He just can't play a role previously defined as I stated earlier that most actors can't. Maybe if Clooney were able to play Keaton's Batman, then the movie might actually have been quasi-watchable.


No, I believe Schumacher's vision was way too off. Even if Clooney did pull it off it wouldn't have saved the terrible characterizations of Bat Girl, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane... All of these characters were two dimensional jokes of what they should have been. Which is a shame cause I feel Uma and Arnold could have pulled off their characters if the script and director were better. Bane and Bat Girl would have to be completely rewritten or just plain removed. I also feel it's a shame that the script and director were terrible in Batman Forever since both Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones were perfect choices for their roles.

As for Val, I just never felt like he did a good job of portraying Keaton's Batman. Then again, I never felt Val should have been chosen to play the role cause it doesn't fit him as an actor (consequently, he did a rather fine job of the Saint). Val has too many emotions and I felt he pushed Batman's grief too much into the forefront of his character.

Also, for those who hate The Batman, thank you! I thought I was the only person who couldn't stand that show...

[The Ceej]

Okay Wolf, I guess I'll concede that even if Clooney could pull of Keaton's Batman, the movie would have still been pretty bad because of script and directing. However, there's no way I can justify Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of Mr. Freeze. At this point, they were just getting big names rather than the people who would best fit these roles. Schwarzenegger can't act and the only good roles he ever played were the Terminators from The Terminator and Terminator 2 because acting is not required (and strongly frowned upon) for these roles. I'd get into that, but it's a completely different argument altogether. I'm not so sure about the others' acting abilities as I hadn't seen them in much else, and the dialogue didn't give them much to work with.

Val Kilmer didn't pull off a perfect Keaton's Batman, but considering that that's something hardly any actors can do, I believe he did very well. I'm always against replacing an actor for the same character, but Keaton to Kilmer in the role of Batman is the best replacement I've ever seen. This will pretty much show you how rare it is when someone can pull it off and how good they are when they do it.

[XxSephirothxX]

Batman Begins was a better comeback movie than Superman Returns.

I don't think many people understand this, but Batman Begins is not part of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise. It was originally intended to be the beginning of a new Batman franchise. They signed Christian Bale for three films, but only one got made. The fact that no more were made furthers the illusion that it's part of the same franchise. And if it were, it would suck because there are hundreds of continuity problems. But alas no. It's a separate entity in its own. I can't speak for Superman Returns because I never saw Superman III or IV and it's been a long time since I saw the first two. It was a terrible movie, but the scene with the plane was worth the price of admission alone. I won't buy the DVD but I don't regret seeing it in the theaters.
I think anybody who has ever seen a Batman movie understands that. It's called "Batman Begins," and it's pretty obviously a retelling of how Batman, well, began. And how does "no more being made" further any sort of illusion? The Dark Knight has pretty much been in production since Batman Begins came out.

[Wolf Kanno]

Okay Wolf, I guess I'll concede that even if Clooney could pull of Keaton's Batman, the movie would have still been pretty bad because of script and directing. However, there's no way I can justify Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of Mr. Freeze. At this point, they were just getting big names rather than the people who would best fit these roles. Schwarzenegger can't act and the only good roles he ever played were the Terminators from The Terminator and Terminator 2 because acting is not required (and strongly frowned upon) for these roles. I'd get into that, but it's a completely different argument altogether. I'm not so sure about the others' acting abilities as I hadn't seen them in much else, and the dialogue didn't give them much to work with.

Val Kilmer didn't pull off a perfect Keaton's Batman, but considering that that's something hardly any actors can do, I believe he did very well. I'm always against replacing an actor for the same character, but Keaton to Kilmer in the role of Batman is the best replacement I've ever seen. This will pretty much show you how rare it is when someone can pull it off and how good they are when they do it.

Alright, I'll concede that Arnold was a bad choice overall but no one can pull off monotone like he can;) But Uma, Lee, and even Carey have all proven they can diversify and a wide range of acting ability so I feel they could have done a good job with their respected roles.

As for Val, I just don't like him as an actor and I don't really feel he is Batman material. I still feel he was chosen to be a "handsome and hurt"
Bruce Wayne so woman would swoon over him. Bruce, though handsome never shows his hurt side to anyone really. I doubt he would ever speak to a psychiatrist anyway.

[The Ceej]

The Dark Knight has pretty much been in production since Batman Begins came out.

I'm sorry. I've been looking for a sequel to Batman Begins on IMDB for some time. Unfortunately, I've been looking with the keyword "Batman." I would have assumed it would have had Batman in the title. I looked it up and realized that I was wrong and that The Dark Knight will be the sequel to Batman Begins and I'm looking forward to it.

[Kossage]

My choice would be George Clooney. He just never really looked comfortable in that role and took it to the wrong direction, although Schumacher and some others should be blamed for that as well.