11 Years Later, Tom Hank’s Batman Role Hopes Have A Better Excuse Than Ever To Come True

Tom Hanks expressed a desire to play a role in a Batman movie 11 years ago and the current state of DC movies means there has never been a better time for his hopes to be fulfilled. Despite three decades of superhero movies coinciding with Tom Hanks’ abundant career in cinema, the beloved actor has yet to join the countless Hollywood stars who have contributed to the genre’s gargantuan rise. While Hanks is a multi-award-winning actor with two Oscars, this hasn’t precluded similarly decorated actors like Cate Blanchette and Jack Nicholson from some of the best Superhero movies ever made.

It isn’t through lack of trying, either. Hanks has emphatically stated that he isn’t just open to starring in a superhero movie, but that he would be more than happy to portray a villain, which flies in the face of his typically more heartwarming roles. He said as much in an interview with On Demand Entertainment while promoting Captain Phillips 11 years ago. When asked why he hadn’t been involved in any “big superhero movies” by late 2013, Hanks stated:

“They don’t ask me, man. I keep trying to…come on! I can do it! I can do it! Even let me play a bad guy, let me play the bad guy against Batman. I’ll do anything. Come on! Call me! They’ve never asked! What’ve I gotta do?“

Hanks even clarifies that he wouldn’t want to be the “guy in the suit” who doesn’t get in on the action, alluding to important yet inactive characters like Alfred Pennyworth, a role at that time synonymous with another two-time-Oscar winner, Michael Cain. At the time, Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy featured a cavalcade of respected actors, though it ended a year prior with 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. Today, however, is a new dawn for Batman movies – and it’s primed for Hanks’ dreams to come to fruition. Hanks’ comments can be watched about 4 minutes into the video below:

Tom Hanks’ Batman Villain Dream Aligns With The DCU & The Batman 2

Now Is The Perfect Time For A New Batman Villain

Matt Reeves’ The Batman is a worthy successor to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy for many reasons, though its ability to somehow strike an even more grounded tone than its already grounded predecessor is notable. Thankfully, Reeves’ Batman trilogy perfectly matches Tom Hanks’s typical acting style. Hanks is famous for portraying deeply authentic and nuanced characters, traits that fit neatly with The Batman franchise’s characters. Matt Reeves foregoes the more ostentatious side of Batman’s lore to deliver more believable yet complex takes on otherwise zany characters like the Riddler and Penguin, for example.

On the other hand, the DCU could be the perfect opportunity for Hanks to branch out and portray a more flamboyant character. So far, it looks as though James Gunn’s DC movies (which are currently distinct from Reeves’ trilogy) are set to lean into the brighter side of the source material, which should help to distinguish the DCU’s Batman from Robert Pattinson’s rendition. Then again, with Creature Commandos establishing the sheer wealth of villains that the DCU’s Batman might face, Hanks is practically spoiled for choice.

Which Batman Villains Would Be Most Perfect For Tom Hanks

There Are Plenty Of Batman Villains Who Have Yet To Debut In Live-Action

At 68, it’s fair to say that Tom Hanks may wish to portray a less physically demanding villain than someone like Bane or Deathstroke, despite his comments about getting stuck into the action 11 years ago. Thankfully, most Batman villains tend to counterbalance Batman’s typically superior physical prowess with psychological antagonism or through less physically demanding means of attack. With that in mind, there are some perfect villains that Tom Hanks should be seriously considered for when casting in future DC movie installments.

Hugo Strange

A popular fan-cast for Tom Hanks in a Batman movie role is Hugo Strange, one of the oldest members of Batman’s rogues’ gallery and one of many whose MO prioritizes brains over brawn. Strange is the perfect fit for Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise as a villain more concerned with psychological warfare while being both obsessive and immensely intelligent, much like Paul Dano’s Riddler, though vastly more intimidating. Strange would fit neatly with the deeply disturbed denizens of Gotham and Hanks’ ability to convey cerebral characters.

Mr. Freeze

As one of Batman’s most tragic villains, Victor Fries would capitalize on Hanks’ ability to portray sympathetic characters. While it’s harder to see Freeze slotting into the more realistic world of The Batman, it would make for an interesting adaptation nonetheless. At the same time, it’s easier to see Hanks conveying the character in James Gunn’s more colorful and comic-book-inspired DCU, which would be more likely to capitalize on Hanks’ likability as it faithfully adapts Fries’ heartrending obsession with reviving his cryogenically frozen wife, Nora.

The Ventriloquist & Scarface

While certain Batman villains are a safer bet for Tom Hanks, more mentally complex characters like Arnold Wesker and his villainous alter-ego puppet, Scarface, would deservedly spotlight Tom Hanks’ acting chops. The Ventriloquist is likely the type of character that many actors looking for a challenge would want to sink their teeth into, as they would be tasked with portraying the meek Arnold Wesker and violent gangster Scarface. The Ventriloquist is the kind of villain that could fit in either Batman universe, often proving dark enough to complement Matt Reeves’ bleak setting, but outlandish enough to fit into the DCU.

Professor Pyg

Professor Pyg would significantly ramp up the challenge for Hanks should he still wish to portray a more physical Batman villain. Professor Pyg is one of the most bizarre members of Batman’s rogues’ gallery, though his gruesome propensity for mutilating victims and embodiment of the most deeply disturbed criminals Gotham has to offer makes the character perfect for Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy. This would be one of Tom Hanks’ most unique roles yet, though it would certainly pay off the long wait for his superhero movie debut.

Why Casting Tom Hanks In The Main DCU Or Elseworlds Spinoff Would Make Sense For The Franchise

Tom Hanks Is A Bankable Actor

As the DCU attempts to recuperate the losses of the DCEU with a series of movies that can rival the take-home of its rival franchise, the MCU, it could certainly stand to bring in actors with as much star power as Tom Hanks. The pressure is on 2025’s Superman to launch the DCU’s popularity to the extent that hiring Hanks would be viable. So far, the confirmed DCU cast does not count such Hollywood royalty among its ranks, though the inspired casting decisions thus far (like Jason Momoa’s Lobo) would suggest a similarly appropriate decision for Tom Hanks is prudent.

Thankfully, with no word yet on when the DCU’s Batman movie, The Brave and The Bold, will release, it seems like there’s plenty of time for the franchise to establish itself in the preceding months. Meanwhile, The Batman Part II still presents another golden opportunity for Tom Hanks after The Batman grossed $770 million worldwide. Whatever the case, with at least two Batman movies forthcoming and the cast looking decidedly sparse, this seems like the best time to finally grant Hanks his wish and have him face off against the Caped Crusader while securing a huge name for DC.

Batman

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

Created By

Bob Kane
, Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

Alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Upcoming DC Movie Releases

Source: On Demand Entertainment