I have a fondness for doing "could've/should've been" fancasts and this is how I'll do many others. Trying to be a little different. I did a Neal Adams-esque fancast of Batman ala 1984 (Strange Apparitions) and it was well received. I followed it with a tie-in Superman in 1986 and got only one response. Let's see how this does, shall we?
Batman was conceived in 1939 so I chose 1945, 6 years after his initial appearance, to begin. From then, I will do a new actor every 10 years.
1945
Gregory Peck (29 years old)
The Keys to the Kingdom; Spellbound
I prefer My Batman year one between 25 and 30. He is an amazing actor, 1 of my all-time favorites and the reason I'm doing this fancast. A newcomer at this point but already an Academy Award winner. He could've also done Superman and I've cast him as Alfred (regardless of being American) in my '84 Neal Adams Batman Apparitions. Oh and don't forget Alex Ross used Peck as a base model.
1955
Clint Eastwood (25 years old)
Francis in the Navy
Very much a new to Hollywood, yet very much the ideal Batman. I should not have to explain my reasons. He is a legend, well known even today.
1965
James Brolin (25 years old)
Take her, She's Mine; Dear Brigitte
He was my choice in my 1972 JLA fancast. Want to know why? Look it up.
1975
Kurt Russell (24 years old)
Guns of Diablo; The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Although, the most well known actor to be the Bat so far, he is the youngest. It was very hard for me to find a good one. Knowing his every man style mixed with Snake from his Escape movies I do believe he would do fine.
1985
Christopher Lambert (age 28)
See my Batman Apparitions cast for an explanation
1995
David Boreanaz (age 26)
With only one credited role I was able to find: Married With Children (1 episode) he made himself well knoen in 1996 as Angel on Buffy.
I've wanted him to play Batman for a long time, actually since he became a regular on Buffy. I saw the 2 as being the same in many ways. However, if that's cheating since he wasn't truly famous (as 1 appearance does not equal fame) than I have to others.
1995
Thomas Jane (age 26) or {for the oldest Crusader yet} Adrian Pasdar (age 30)
Jane had bit parts in the Buffy movie, At Ground Zero and Nemesis as well as Crow 2's Nemo in '96.
Pasdar starred in The Lost Capone and his own series in '96 called Profit.
2005
The year of Batman Begins
Ever since I saw American Psycho, much in the same way I felt about the Angel character from Buffy, I saw Patrick Bateman as being EXACTLY like Bruce Wayne (minus the murdering). I wanted both Boreanez (if it wasn't year one story) and Bale to be Batman. I was thrilled to see Bale get the part. My number 3 pick (or 2 if it was to be a year one story, which mine are/is) was
Jake Gyllenhaal (age 26)
The day After Tomorrow; Jarhead
I have 5 favorite actors. Ben Foster, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Tim Roth and this guy. He can play any role, and several mixed into one. That's what it takes to be both Bruce Wayne and Batman and There is no doubt in my mind he would.ve been awesome.