Who doesn’t love a good debate about who wore the cape and cowl best? The Dark Knight has been embodied by so many actors at this point that it feels like everyone and their grandmother has a list ranking their favorite interpretations. Fast forward to 2022, and we witness Robert Pattinson stepping into the shadowy shoes of Bruce Wayne in The Batman, arguably one of the best live-action DC Comics movies in recent years!
Despite the initial skeptical murmurs (yes, because of that Edward Cullen curse), Pattinson mesmerized us with his Gotham debut, making the film a commercial success. But let’s cut to the chase: Did his portrayal of the Caped Crusader break the cursed sparkle of his vampire past?
Indeed, his compelling yet brooding version certainly set the internet flaming, igniting fiery social media debates pitting him against Christian Bale’s iconic Batman. And a segment of fans still holds Batman Begins as their holy grail while arguing that Matt Reeves’ take on Batman doesn’t even “come close”.
Who Wore the Bat-suit better: Christian Bale or Robert Pattinson?
With Christian Bale’s iconic portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012) & Robert Pattinson’s fresh take in The Batman, helmed by Matt Reeves, fans are still duking it out over who nailed the brooding vigilante best.
Both interpretations ground the character in a more reality-based setting, steering clear of the fantastical elements that often color comic book adaptations. But which Batman takes the cake as the ultimate Caped Crusader?
Well, Nolan’s Batman Begins was surely a game-changer when it hit theaters in 2005, earning rave reviews and cementing Bale’s status as the definitive Batman in the eyes of many (85% on Rotten Tomatoes). Legendary critic Roger Ebert praised Bale’s performance, calling him “just right for this emerging version of Batman,” and his words stuck like glue.
Thus, Nolan’s trilogy paved the way for a gritty, realistic portrayal that fans embraced with open arms.
In 2022, Pattinson entered the Batcave with The Batman, bringing his own brand of darkness to the role and earning an 85% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Moreover, critic Christy Lemire likened Pattinson’s portrayal to Robert De Niro’s in Taxi Driver (via RogerEbert.com). She described Pattinson as
Not just prepared but hungry to explore this figure’s weird, dark instincts.
The film flew high at the box office, raking in $771 million against a budget of $185–200 million, proving that Pattinson’s Batman can hold his own in a financial showdown (Box Office Mojo). And we can’t forget to mention the Twilight star’s impressive current box office haul of around $4.30 billion globally (see The Numbers).
Despite his success, Pattinson still has to work out to convince some fans that his Batman is more than just a pretty face in a Bat suit.
Fans Still Prefer Christian Bale’s Batman Over Robert Pattinson’s
Yes, despite Robert Pattinson’s valiant efforts, he still hasn’t managed to eclipse Christian Bale’s Batman origin story in the eyes of many fans. Batman Begins has cemented itself as the gold standard, and Pattinson’s The Batman has still some serious catching up to do.
According to fans, the depiction of the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell in The Batman, has also stirred the pot. In a dramatic twist, Batman allows the Penguin to slip through his fingers after a high-stakes interrogation scene, leaving fans scratching their heads and wondering if Batman missed the memo on justice.
Also, Pattinson’s Batman, still in his second year of crime-fighting, is more focused on detective work and exploring Gotham’s criminal underworld than rehashing the familiar origin story.
Let’s check out some of the fans’ comments:
Ergo, many fans remain loyal to Bale’s Batman Begins, claiming that Pattinson’s version doesn’t quite measure up. So, whether you’re team Bale or team Pattinson, the battle for the title of Best Batman is far from over!
The Batman and Batman Begins are currently available to stream on Max.
