Will Smith to Be the Next Batman? Odds to Play the Caped Crusader
- Ben Affleck’s days of playing the caped crusader appear to be numbered
- Will Warner Bros. break with tradition and cast Will Smith?
- Is Jon Hamm on the studio’s shortlist?
The DC Universe is preparing for another shake-up. Word on the street is that Warner Bros. is scrapping Ben Affleck’s Batman, opening the role of the Caped Crusader to the field. It’s rumored that the studio decided to break with Affleck due to his rising insurance costs. The actor checked into rehab for the second time in just over a year.
The next Batman flick is scheduled to start shooting in early 2019, so it’s likely we’ll find out who will be the next Bruce Wayne in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, here are some betting options to consider.
Who Will Be the Next Batman?
| Who Will Be Cast as the Next Batman? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kit Harington | +165 |
| Jon Hamm | +200 |
| Riz Ahmed | +300 |
| Ryan Gosling | +350 |
| Joseph Gordon-Levitt | +400 |
| Scott Adkins | +450 |
| Ben Affleck | +500 |
| Armie Hammer | +800 |
| Ben Barnes | +1000 |
| Richard Armitage | +1400 |
| Ryan Guzman | +4500 |
| Will Smith | +10000 |
Kit Harington (+165)
The Game of Thrones star is currently the frontrunner to pilot the batmobile. The man behind Jon Snow had another successful year at the Emmys with Thrones, but he’ll have to start branching out now that the show is wrapping up. Putting him at +165 is quite short, though, especially with the little information we currently have.
For now, it’s probably best to hold off on picking Harington. He would make a great Batman, but we don’t know if he’s even on the Warner Bros. shortlist.
Jon Hamm (+200)
Jon Hamm is clearly interested. The Mad Men star hasn’t had an impactful role since his breakout success, and he definitely fits the profile for Batman. However, Hamm was quick to add that he hasn’t heard a word from the studios.
He’s a fan favorite to play Batman, so that has to grab the attention of the studio bosses. Hamm at +200 is still a little short, but he makes a fun pick.
Ryan Gosling (+350)
He’s on the list to play the next Superman, and he’s on the list to play the next Batman. It’s not a complete list without the Canadian heartthrob. Avoid this pick, though. When questioned about taking over from Affleck, he didn’t seem interested: “I don’t think anybody wants that.”
He’s more Superman than Batman, anyway. If he wants to start rocking a cape, he has better options.
Would Ryan Gosling play Batman? | #VarietyStudio presented by @att at #TIFF pic.twitter.com/0agXmCIoRt
— Variety (@Variety) September 10, 2018
Ben Affleck (+500)
Don’t count out Affleck yet. Nothing has been confirmed by Affleck, Warner Bros., or anyone in the know. Right now, it’s just rumors and speculation. Affleck has been a good Batman considering the hands he’s been dealt. From Batman v Superman to Suicide Squad, Warner Bros. haven’t made it easy for him to shine.
From Batman v Superman to Suicide Squad, Warner Bros. haven’t made it easy for Ben Affleck to shine.
Who knows, maybe Affleck will hang around a little while longer.
Will Smith (+10000)
It doesn’t make much sense to cast Will Smith as Batman. He starred as Deadshot in Suicide Squad so it would be confusing to see him reemerge as another character in the DC Universe. But hey, to hell with consistency. Will Smith would make a hilarious Bruce Wayne.
At +10000, why not sprinkle a dollar or two on the Fresh Prince?
Don Aguero is a man of many talents, writing about nearly anything you can put odds to. Don has been writing for SportsBettingDime since 2015, covering sports, entertainment and politics. You name it, he's covered it! He is also a steadfast West Ham fan, and has learned to embrace that suffering.
