19 Years Ago, a Cancelled Actor Was Confirmed as the Next Batman (And the Movie We Got Instead Was Better)

Before Marvel’s success with the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man in 2008, Warner Bros. was planning its own superhero team-up movie. They hired director George Miller to create Justice League Mortal, hoping it would launch a series of films. Despite recent Superman Returns and Batman Begins movies, the actors Brandon Routh and Christian Bale weren’t brought back for Justice League Mortal, so the studio had to find new actors – including one who has since become a controversial figure – to play the roles, starting with Batman.







