"Man of Steel" director Zack Snyder announced the superhero mash-up "Superman v Batman" at ComiCon this year, and since then the internet has been in a positive tizzy about who might be replacing Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader.
Plenty of young actors have had their names thrown into the ring, form the Batman that never was Armie Hammer to World's Greatest Man Ryan Gosling, but now there's indication that the studio behind the picture might be looking at an older name.
Snyder himself took a line from Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" graphic novel (in which a 50+ year old Bruce Wayne takes up the mantel of the Bat one last time) when announcing the movie. Apparently they're looking for an actor in their late 30's to early 40's to stand opposite 30 year old Henry Cavill as Superman.
In that spirit, names like Karl Urban, Gerard Butler and Josh Brolin have been bandied about. Film-maker Kevin Smith has publicly supported Jon Hamm for the role (Bat-Hamm), and he would fit perfectly with Warner and DC's search for a "grizzled veteran who's been on the job for several years."
A new report has put some more names on the table for nerds to obsess about, with Matthew Goode (Watchmen), Joe Manganiello (True Blood) and British actor Richard Armitage (The Hobbit) all currently wish-listed.
Having a more battled hardened Bruce Wayne to combat the relatively fresh-faced Clark Kent is a genius move, and getting Armitage in the Batcave would continue trend of Commonwealth actors in American capes.
"Superman v Batman" is scheduled to begin production next year, so we're still a decent ways away from getting a confirmed casting.
Who would you like to see don the cowl? Leave your picks and suggestions in the comments below.
Words by Gazz Wood
Gazz Wood is a writer from The Northern Film School at Leeds Met University. As well as writing for Wireless he can also be heard on the monthly podcast Possibly of Interest with TV Producer Howard Cohen and special guests from the world of British TV and Cinema, plus his own weekly show Gazz Wood Has A Podcast. He can be followed on Twitter @GazzPH90.
