We all loved Christian Bale as Batman in the iconic The Dark Knight trilogy. He was phenomenal in the role and made the character even more iconic. But there was one actor who almost played the role. Batman Begins co-screenwriter David S. Goyer revealed that Jake Gyllenhaal was considered for Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Trilogy, but lost to Bale. Recently, the Road House star in an interview expressed his desire to play this role in James Gunn’s DCU.
Jake Gyllenhaal Shows Interest in Playing Batman in DCU
Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House (2024)
Batman is such an iconic character that many actors in the past have vied for this role. From Adam West to Michael Keaton, and from Ben Affleck to Robert Pattinson, we have got so many great actors who have donned the mantle of the Caped Crusader.
And, how can Jake Gyllenhaal stay away from expressing his wish to join the elite list? Acknowledging the legacy of the character, in a recent interview with Screenrant, the actor said that it would be an honor for him to play this role.
“Oh, man. That’s a classic. It’s an honor,” he tells the site. “Speaking of playing roles that other incredible actors have played in the past, to me actually roles that other incredible actors have played in the past, which, to me, actually, when I think about it, I’m going to play Iago in Othello with Denzel Washington, and I think about like the history of actors that have played that role throughout time, and I’m intimidated by that.“
So that’s the first level, “That’s what I’m working on right now. But of course. It would be an honor always,” Gyllenhaal adds. “Those types of things and those roles are classics.“
The Brave and the Bold, a new movie featuring Batman is taking shape in James Gunn’s DCU, however, there’s no confirmation who’ll portray the character. At present, Robert Pattinson remains the sole Batman, in a separate “Elseworlds” project.
Jake Gyllenhaal Almost Played ‘Batman’ in Christopher Nolan‘s Batman Begins
Jake Gyllenhaal in The Guilty (2021)
Writer David S. Goyer revealed that Jake Gyllenhaal almost played the Caped Crusader for director Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. While appearing on a new episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the screenwriter said that he advocated for Gyllenhaal , but ultimately went to Christian Bale.
“We would chat about all sorts of things. There were a number of people who had screen-tested, and I had advocated for Gyllenhaal,” said Goyer. “I mean, Gyllenhaal is amazing, Christian Bale is amazing, so who knows what.“
When asked if there is footage somewhere of Gyllenhaal auditioning in a Batman costume, Goyer said “I believe there is.”
Jake Gyllenhaal, one of the greatest actors of his generation and the Oscar nominee is known for movies like Zodiac, Jarhead, Nightcrawler and Prisoners.
Despite the uncertainty over any casting updates for The Brave and the Bold, Gyllenhaal’s recent remarks about his willingness to join DCU gives fans a real hope that this time, he would be picked for the role as they think he is perfect for it.
Road House is set to release on Prime Video on the 21st of March. The Brave and the Bold does not have a release date.
