My opinion is, like many others’, that after Nolan is finished with his Batman films that Warner Bros. should do a continuation of his storyline. Bale has already said that he won’t reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman unless Christopher Nolan is directing. I imagine that the other actors associated with the franchise (Caine, Freeman, Oldman, etc.) won’t have any problem with returning for a continuation, but Bale would have to be replaced in this case. Thus, I have compiled a list of, what I believe, are some of the most qualified actors to take up the mantle of Batman in the case of a continuation. Most choices are based strongly on appearance and age similarity between them and Bale. This isn’t the most important factor, but Bale’s replacement would need to look like him more so than Keaton looked like Kilmer, or Kilmer looked like Clooney.
Michael C. Hall
Definitely one of the top choices based on acting prowess. As far as appearance similarity Hall isn’t a carbon copy of Bale, but his look is similar enough to be accepted by the audience. He is three years older that Bale (who is 37), but a continuation would likely take place a few years after The Dark Knight Rises and the character will have aged in that time. The one factor that Hall misses on (like many on this list) is his height. Bale is 6’2” and Hall is only 5’10”. However, finding an actor that is 6’2” or taller that can actually portray this character faithfully would be difficult; finding Bale was Nolan’s great accomplishment.
Jamie Bamber
I like Bamber for the role because his overall facial appearance and hair style remind me of Bale’s Bruce Wayne. Again, he’s not a replica, but he is close in appearance. Another plus is that he is only a year older than Bale. However, he too is shorter, standing five inches shorter than Bale. Another problem is that my choice of Bamber is based solely on his appearance. I have never seen him act and I don’t know if he would have the ability to carry the character in the same manner as Bale.
Billy Crudup
Crudup is a choice I would be more confident in if he was taller (he’s 5’8”) and wasn’t six years older than Bale. He’s got a good look and he is a tremendous talent. Another good thing would be him giving us the first black-haired Bruce Wayne since Keaton. He may not be exactly right for Bale’s Batman, but I would consider him in a continuation where all of the characters have been recast.
Christian Kane
Like Bamber, Kane was chosen based on his somewhat similar appearance to the current Bruce Wayne. His acting ability is unknown to me. He is one of the taller choices (5’10”) on the list and he is the same age as Bale, but I don’t know if that is really enough to qualify him. I’ve seen him cast as Wolverine on this site multiple times, and it is my belief that anyone that can play Wolverine should work as a good Batman. It will be up to you if he’s really a well thought-out choice. It would also be terribly ironic for another “Christian” to be cast as Batman.
Karl Urban
Honestly, this is probably the best choice on the list. He’s not my favorite because, to me, he has an odd-looking face. Looking past that, he is only an inch shorter than Bale, he is only two years Bale’s senior, and he is a talented actor. Like I said, I’m at odds with myself on Urban, but I’ll admit he’s probably the best choice.
Timothy Olyphant
This would be my favored choice, but I have to submit to what is more of a realistic decision. I like Olyphant because he’s got a similar look to Bale and his height is only two inches off, but he is six years older than the predecessor and for some reason that doesn’t sit well with me. I also don’t see Olyphant really ever getting big and toned enough for the role.
Sam Worthington
Worthington has the honor of being the only person listed actually YOUNGER than Bale (he is 34). To be honest with you and myself, there is no similarity at all between appearances. He is also another on the list falling short at 5’10”. What makes Worthington a good choice is more so that he has an appearance similar to the character in the comics. I don’t see him replacing Bale directly, but like Crudup I could see him cast in a complete recasting continuation.
Ethan Hawke
Hawke is a talented actor and his look runs good alongside that of Bale’s. He is 5’10½” and he is three years Bale’s senior, but, like all others on this list, those facts shouldn’t disqualify him from the role.