LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: Robert Pattinson attends the GO Campaign Gala 2018 at City Market Social House on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Video Ad Feedback
Report: This actor could be the next Batman
01:10 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Gotham is shook.

A report Thursday that Robert Pattinson could take on the role of Batman has some crying, “Holy miscast!”

According to Variety, the actor is close to sealing a deal to play “The Batman” in the forthcoming Warner Bros. superhero film that Matt Reeves is directing.

There are reports that <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F05%2F17%2Fentertainment%2Frobert-pattinson-batman%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Robert Pattinson may be cast as the Caped Crusader</a> in the forthcoming film "The Batman." If that happens, he will join an illustrious crew of actors who have donned the suit.
There are reports that Robert Pattinson may be cast as the Caped Crusader in the forthcoming film "The Batman." If that happens, he will join an illustrious crew of actors who have donned the suit.
David Livingston/Getty Images North America
Adam West, left, and Burt Ward portrayed the Dynamic Duo in the wildly popular 1960s TV series "Batman."
Adam West, left, and Burt Ward portrayed the Dynamic Duo in the wildly popular 1960s TV series "Batman."
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Lewis Wilson is famous for being the first actor to play Batman in 1943's "Batman." He was the youngest and the least successful of all the Batmen.
Lewis Wilson is famous for being the first actor to play Batman in 1943's "Batman." He was the youngest and the least successful of all the Batmen.
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
Robert Lowery became the second person to portray the character in the 1949 movie serial "Batman and Robin." Although he never played the character in another movie, he did guest star on an episode of "The Adventures of Superman." This was the first time a Batman actor and a Superman actor shared the screen.
Robert Lowery became the second person to portray the character in the 1949 movie serial "Batman and Robin." Although he never played the character in another movie, he did guest star on an episode of "The Adventures of Superman." This was the first time a Batman actor and a Superman actor shared the screen.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Twenty years after Adam West's Batman came Michael Keaton in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman." He played more of a dark, explosive Batman, the opposite of West's goofy type. Keaton's performance in the movie received favorable reviews, and he became the first actor to reprise the role in 1992's "Batman Returns" with Danny DeVito as the Penguin.
Twenty years after Adam West's Batman came Michael Keaton in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman." He played more of a dark, explosive Batman, the opposite of West's goofy type. Keaton's performance in the movie received favorable reviews, and he became the first actor to reprise the role in 1992's "Batman Returns" with Danny DeVito as the Penguin.
Warner Bros./Everett Collection
When the franchise changed directors, it also changed actors. Val Kilmer became one of the more forgettable Batmen in 1995's "Batman Forever." Director <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ew.com%2Few%2Farticle%2F0%2C%2C20610393_292752%2C00.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Joel Schumacher called Kilmer</a> "childish and impossible" to work with. He was destined to be a one-term superhero and left the Batcave for good rather than filming "Batman & Robin."
When the franchise changed directors, it also changed actors. Val Kilmer became one of the more forgettable Batmen in 1995's "Batman Forever." Director Joel Schumacher called Kilmer "childish and impossible" to work with. He was destined to be a one-term superhero and left the Batcave for good rather than filming "Batman & Robin."
Polygram/Warner Bros./ZUMA Press/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom
Handsome, up-and-coming actor George Clooney was cast as the Caped Crusader in 1997's "Batman & Robin." The film received some of the worst reviews, and Clooney once joked that he helped to kill the franchise. Although the film did nothing to hurt Clooney's career, it frequently is cited among one of the worst films of all time. Chris O'Donnell, left, portrayed Robin.
Handsome, up-and-coming actor George Clooney was cast as the Caped Crusader in 1997's "Batman & Robin." The film received some of the worst reviews, and Clooney once joked that he helped to kill the franchise. Although the film did nothing to hurt Clooney's career, it frequently is cited among one of the worst films of all time. Chris O'Donnell, left, portrayed Robin.
Getty Images
After the disaster of "Batman & Robin," the franchise was destined to remain a joke until director Christopher Nolan came along to reinvent the role and finally make the Dark Knight, well, dark. Christian Bale became the new Batman in 2005's "Batman Begins," 2008's "The Dark Knight" and finally "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012. Though the films were extremely successful, Bale's Batman voice was often criticized and would get even more gravelly and bizarre throughout the three films.
After the disaster of "Batman & Robin," the franchise was destined to remain a joke until director Christopher Nolan came along to reinvent the role and finally make the Dark Knight, well, dark. Christian Bale became the new Batman in 2005's "Batman Begins," 2008's "The Dark Knight" and finally "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012. Though the films were extremely successful, Bale's Batman voice was often criticized and would get even more gravelly and bizarre throughout the three films.
Warner Bros./Everett Collection
Ben Affleck co-starred as Batman in Zack Snyder's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Ben Affleck co-starred as Batman in Zack Snyder's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Warner Bros/DC Comics
Actors who have played Batman

Warner Bros. is owned by CNN’s parent company, WarnerMedia.

A representative for Warner Bros. told CNN, “We do not have a deal.”

Not everyone was excited by the thought of the “Twilight” actor donning the iconic suit.

“Robert Pattinson as Batman???” one person tweeted. “This exactly why Marvel is better in every way smh.”

Already petitions have been launched calling for Pattinson to be replaced before he’s even been officially cast.

“Don’t make the Batfleck mistake again,” one petition implores.

That, of course, refers to the controversy behind Ben Affleck taking over the role in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Suicide Squad” and “Justice League” – a selection that did not go over well with someDC Comics devotees.

But there is also plenty of support for Pattinson, with some pointing out there was similar hoopla surrounding Heath Ledger’s selection as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”

That performance earned Ledger, who died in 2008 from an accidental overdose, a posthumous Oscar.

“The same people rolling their eyes when they heard #RobertPattinson was cast as the new #Batman are probably the same people who rolled their eyes when Heath Ledger was cast as Joker,’ actor A.J.Kirsch tweeted. “How about you be patient and give #TheBatman a chance?”

Deadline also is reporting Pattinson is on a short list for the role along with “Tolkien” star Nicholas Hoult, but no decision has been made.

“The Batman” is scheduled to hit theaters in June 2021.