Jake Gyllenhaal has commented on what he thinks about playing Batman in the future. After Ben Affleck’s stint as the Dark Knight in the DCEU, the new DC Universe will cast a new actor in the coveted role. Starting with The Brave and the Bold Batman reboot movie, a new star will be the face of Batman, and many DC fans want Gyllenhaal to be it.
Jake Gyllenhaal was previously considered to play Bruce Wayne in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins , but the role ultimately went to Christian Bale.
Speaking to Screen Rant at an event for his new movie, Prime Video’s Road House, Jake Gyllenhaal got candid about playing Batman. When asked if he was interested in continuing his physical role in Road House by playing Batman, Gyllenhaal showed his admiration for the character of Bruce Wayne and Batman’s long movie history. The actor noted that roles like Batman are classics, with Gyllenhaal saying it would be an honor to play the DC hero. Check out the full exchange below:
Jake, watching you in these action scenes was absolutely incredible. Like I said, it was deliciously visceral. But a while back, I know that you auditioned for the role of Batman, and I got some Batman vibes in this film when you were beating the crap out of people. Is that a role you’d still be interested in, especially after doing a movie like this?
Jake Gyllenhaal: Oh, man. That’s a classic. It’s an honor. 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. Those types of things and those roles are classics.
Gyllenhaal has nearly been cast as a major hero twice, being considered for the roles of Batman and Spider-Man over the years. While the actor would get to join superhero movies as the villain Mysterio in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise in the MCU, the star has yet to play a hero. With the Batman role finally open again, Gyllenhaal could lead The Brave and the Bold as the DCU’s Dark Knight.
The actor has plenty of roles that show his incredible physicality to take on Batman. The boxing movie Southpaw serves as one of the best displays of how Gyllenhaal would be able to look physically imposing as Batman, with his role in the upcoming Road House also being a showcase of the star’s ability to bring impressive fights to life, a must for the Dark Knight. More than the physical aspect, Gyllenhaal has the acting skills to play Batman, as the actor is a versatile performer.
While Gyllenhaal is 43 years old, 13 more than DCU Superman actor David Corenswet, that would be perfect for The Brave and the Bold’s story setup. DC Studios’ James Gunn has revealed that the movie will see Bruce discover that he has a young son, Damian Wayne, with other members of the Bat-Family showing up. Gyllenhaal would be believable as an experienced Batman — with his role in Nightcrawler showing the actor can get as dark as the hero needs — who leads an entire roster of heroes in the DCU.
