Jake Gyllenhaal as the ninth incarnation of Gotham’s Dark Knight?
That’s the rumor currently doing the rounds online, after one report claimed Matt Reeves, writer-director on The Batman, has hand-picked Gyllenhaal to be his Caped Crusader, and the one who will eventually succeed Ben Affleck in the title role.
Keep in mind that many of DC’s bigwigs have since voiced their support of Affleck’s costumed crusader on the belief that he will indeed reprise the part in time for The Batman in 2018, despite all of those conflicting reports swirling online. But that hasn’t stopped fans from imagining what Jake might look like in the role. Already, we’ve seen some very impressive designs hit the web and today, we’ve got another one, which you can check out in the gallery down below along with a few others.
This latest piece of art comes to us from John Regan, who was apparently inspired by Reeves comparing his take on the Caped Crusader to a more Hitchcockian approach.
“Since Matt Reeves mentioned a Hitchcockian approach to his Batman, it inspired me to go back to the roots of the time period more befitting to the master filmmaker. A time when Batman was invented,” says Regan.
“Batman’s also gotten too tech-y and armor-like lately and so I thought a more streamlined, creature of the night approach would feel fresher. I doubt it will be, but I think a period piece would kill (a la Wonder Woman and Fantastic Beasts). So here’s my mockup of JG (since it sounds like he’s Reeves choice) as Batman circa 1939. “
Having already been in the running for the role in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, one could argue that it’s not too late for Gyllenhaal to be cast, as he’d be of decent age for at least a three-film run. Sure, it’ll take some getting used to should the actor end up stepping into the DCEU to replace Ben Affleck, but it could work. Superhero roles have been recast before, of course – just look at Marvel’s decision to replace Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle in time for Iron Man 2 – but none quite on this level.
Still, unless Affleck’s Batman is scheduled to appear in Aquaman later this year, it’s looking likely that the actor will bow out after only three appearances in the cape and cowl: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League. Which means that Warner Bros. will need a replacement very soon. In our opinion, Gyllenhaal is certainly capable of taking the job and you won’t hear us complaining if he ends up being selected to play the next Dark Knight.
The Batman is said to be targeting a production start this summer, by which time we’ll surely have a definitive answer to this whole Batfleck saga. Until then, however, tell us, would you like to see Jake Gyllenhaal as the next Caped Crusader? Have your say in the comments section down below.
