Yesterday a quote from HitFix hit the web talking about the possibility of JGL being cast as Batman in the forthcoming Justice League movie. According to HitFix, talks with Levitt are to the point where they think he'll "absolutely will be appearing in Justice League as the new Batman."
This is a mistake. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a fantastic actor. He was spectacular 500 Days of Summer and he was amazing in Inception. His role in Batman was okay - nothing too special - but he's still a fine actor. At the same time though, casting JGL in this role leads to several problems.
Can He Look the Role?
Levitt, is seven years younger than Bale. The guy is only thirty-one, but he looks like he's in his early twenties. Of course actors can bulk up and make up can do a lot to make a person look a certain age, but in the end he still looks rather "babyfaced". Like a young boy trying to dress up as his father. They need someone with a bit more age and "hardened" look to them.
Awhile ago someone made the suggestion that Clive Owen would be an ideal Bruce Wayne. While he might be a bit too old at this point in the game, he's probably a better overall choice than Levitt would be. Of course whether he's actually playing Bruce Wayne or not has yet to be answered, and then brings up yet another concern...
An Unintended Combination of Universes
Casting Levitt as Blake in the Justice League movie implies that Nolan's trilogy is somehow a precursor to the events in the Justice League movie. This something Nolan never intended, as he was rather against including any mentions of other DC super heroes. Also Warner Bros. is planning to do a reverse-Avengers plan here and spin off the character into their own movies after Justice League (instead of having everyone come together from separate movies like Marvel did). You can bet that they'll be using villains already seen in Nolan's films. Suddenly we have a mish-mash of universes that was never intended in the first place.
Confusing the Audience
Casting Levitt as Wayne comes with its own set of unique challenges as well. First off, this movie is on track to be released in 2015, that's only three years after The Dark Knight Rises. That movie made a lot of money, which means that tons of people went to see it. These people already have Levitt in their heads as Blake. Sure they may be able to buy him as Batman, but as Wayne? Now you're just asking for people to be confused.
All of these possible futures are easily avoidable by not casting Levitt. He's a wonderful actor, but you're just asking for trouble by attempting to transplant an actor or character from one set of movies to another.
What do you guys think? Are these issues simple overreactions? Sure, nothing is official at the moment but it does look like things are heating up. Would you prefer they cast someone else over Levitt? If so, who? Please share below!
