Christian Bale As Batman Through The Years: Photos Of The Actor As The Caped Crusader

By:

Christina Casiano

July 8, 2022 6:10PM EDT

For many millenials, Christian Bale IS their Batman. See photos from his run as the Caped Crusader here.

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Christian Bale As Batman: Photos

Christian Bale As Batman: Photos — There have been many Batmans through the years, and while we love George Clooney and Michael Keaton, Christian Bale is most millennials’ favorite Bruce Wayne. The UK-born actor started his run as the caped crusader in Christopher Nolan’s 2005 movie ‘Batman Begins’, pictured here. Mr. Bale would go on to reprise the role in 2008’s ‘The Dark Knight’ and once more with ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in 2012.

Christian told ‘The Washington Post’ that people were initially skeptical of him taking on the comic book hero. ‘I would [tell people] we’re going to sort of do Batman, but take him seriously. I had tons of people laugh at me and just say, ‘Well that’s just not going to work at all. So, it’s wonderful to be a part of a trilogy that proved those people wrong. I’m not certain if it kick-started [the MCU] but it certainly helped along the way.’

Ready for more of Christian Bale’s best Batman moments? Click through the gallery for them all!

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Bruce Wayne Battles

Bruce Wayne Battles — Christian Bale gets into the fighting pit in a scene from 2005’s ‘Batman Begins’. He was shirtless and his hands were wrapped in bandages.

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Batman Begins

Batman Begins — Christian Bale was the perfect person to play Bruce Wayne. Other Batman actors in the past have included Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Affleck.

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Bruce Wayne & A Luxury Car

Bruce Wayne & A Luxury Car — Christian Bale stands in front of a fancy car in a scene from ‘Batman Begins’. In the first installment of ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy served as an origin story for the wealth orphan-turned-crimefighter.

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Batman Watches

Batman Watches — Christian Bale watches over Gotham while in Batman garb. His cape was long and flowing.

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Katie Holmes & Christian Bale

Katie Holmes & Christian Bale — Love interest! Katie Holmes played Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend Rachel Dawes in the 2005 movie. Maggie Gyllenhaal would pick up the role in the sequel, 2008’s ‘The Dark Knight’.

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Batman & The Police

Batman & The Police — Batman looks strong as he stands on top of a cop car in a scene from ‘The Dark Knight’. The cops and the vigilante crime-fighter have a complicated relationship through the films.

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Heath Ledger As The Joker

Heath Ledger As The Joker — Smile! Heath Ledger played The Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’. Sadly, he was unable to reprise the role after his untimely death in Jan. 2008.

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Batman Rides

Batman Rides — Batman zips around in a futuristic motobike in a scene from ‘The Dark Knight’. The chase sequencee is one of the movie’s most exhilerating scenes.

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Bruce Vs. Batman

Bruce Vs. Batman — Christian Bale thinks while looking at his batsuit in m2008’s ‘The Dark Knight’. Much of the films, he has to contend with what it means to lead a double life.

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Bruce Wayne Watches

Bruce Wayne Watches — Christian Bale stands to the side during a Gotham PD press conference in ‘The Dark Knight’. He looked dapper in a pinstriped suit while cameras flashed around him.

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Batman Chases Villians

Batman Chases Villians — Christian Bale’s Batman doesn’t hold back in this scene from ‘The Dark Knight’. He broke straight through a glass door to get to the bad guys.

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Bruce Wayne Checks Out His Suit

Bruce Wayne Checks Out His Suit — Christian Bale looks at his high-tech Batman in 2012’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. His outfit got more and more advanced over time.

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‘The Dark Knight Rises’

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ — Christian Bale had grown into a very serious Batman by the time of 2012’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. The blockbuster made $1.08 billion. Sounds like the $200 million production budget was a well-spent investment.

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Batman & Bane

Batman & Bane — Tom Hardy played the villainous Bane in 2012′ ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. The super-strong character got a boost from a tube connecting his body to a chemical tank full of a performance enhancing substance.

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Michael Caine As Alfred

Michael Caine As Alfred — Michael Caine played beloved butler Alfred Pennyworth in the ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, seen here in 2012. He took close care of Bruce after the death of his parents and is a father figure of sorts.

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Anne Hathaway As Catwoman

Anne Hathaway As Catwoman — Purr-fection! Anne Hathaway dances with Christian Bale in a scene from ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. She played cat burglar Selina Kyle AKA Catwoman.

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Batman Looks On

Batman Looks On — Christian Bale is covered in light in a rooftop scene from ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. He was disguised for a meeting with Gotham PD Lieutenant James Gordon.

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