More speculative casting for Matt Reeves’ The Batman got the net buzzing and was run with as a breaking story, only to be debunked. Armie Hammer (Lone Ranger, The Social Network) was briefly thought to be in negotiations for the part of Bruce Wayne/Batman but no negotiations between him and Warner Bros. can be verified.
Revenge of the Fans reported Hammer’s casting as an exclusive and a sure thing, but the author may be ahead of himself. He excitedly claims the studio and the actor are in final talks but only cites unnamed sources.
As up to the minute as news cycles are, other outlets, like Screen Rant, were quick to pump the brakes, saying there is no word on contact between Hammer and Reeves or the studio. It’s not as if he “officially boarded the project.”
What’s more, Wrap writer and reporter Umberto Gonzalez tweeted information to the contrary. No names are targeted as frontrunners and casting might skew younger than even Hammer.
Also, Armie Hammer is 32 and I’m also told the role of Bruce is going to be younger. There are no targeted names YET.
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) February 19, 2019
Armie Hammer is 32 which is a good enough age for anybody playing a young Batman, but classically Bruce Wayne is conceived as around 29.
Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter added his two cents as well on Twitter. He retweeted the Revenge of the Fans story and commented there was “no truth” to it, and confirmed there have been no meetings with potential actors, among other things.
I’m not in the business of debunking bunk but considering everyone got in a tizzy over this…there is no truth to the below. Being told there haven’t even been any actor meetings for THE BATMAN. (But that doesn’t mean Reeves and WB don’t have ideas of who they would like) https://t.co/8CB8aHARID
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) February 19, 2019
For now, Hammer is only a rumor but someone Reeves and Warner could be considering very highly. He is at the top of a few lists, such as Boylesports, whose betting has him at the top with 7/2 odds.
Being an odds-on favorite is logical for Hammer when you look at his career. He tried the blockbuster franchise route a few times, first as The Lone Ranger and then co-starring in [easyazon_link identifier=”B013WF1Z4O” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]The Man From U.N.C.L.E.[/easyazon_link] with Henry Cavill, interestingly enough. More tellingly, and this is legendary at this point, he was all set to be Batman a decade ago in George Miller’s abandoned Justice League: Mortal project.
The actor insisted in 2017 he wouldn’t have done such a great job in the cape and cowl, and at this stage, he’s more interested in challenging himself as an artist and performer with indie films, so it may take some cajoling on Matt Reeves’ part if he really wants Hammer.
Hammer also comes with comic book baggage, as the actor was roundly criticized by a number of actors as well as fans following the death of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee.
Hammer criticized his fellow celebrities who posted pictures of themselves with Stan Lee saying, “So touched by all of the celebrities posting pictures of themselves with Stan Lee…no better way to commemorate an absolute legend than putting up a picture of yourself.”
He would explain his feelings in an interview with GQ:
“Let me be clear. I do not feel badly for the people that I offended who met Stan Lee once and were capitalising and masking self-promotion as false grief.”
He would even provide commentary on the so-called selfie generation.
“I am a millennial. You’re right. I totally should. And I can’t say I am not a millennial, but I’m not a millennial. I don’t get it. It doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t know why millennials will go to a wedding and take a picture of themselves on the dance floor and then post it on social media and be like, ‘Congratulations to Sarah and Jeff, so happy for you guys!’ Just what the hell is that? That just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
The Batman is scheduled for release in 2021 and who will star is becoming a meme lately. Hammer, Jack O’Connell, and possibly Robert Pattinson might be serious contenders but even a Jonas brother is expressing his interest, however jocularly.