As a lover of entertainment, I'm not ashamed to admit that instead of lolling myself to sleep by counting sheep or Catwomen, as Sheldon Cooper famously does, I do so by casting movies. Recently, I sent myself to land of dreams by imagining Supernatural star Jensen Ackles playing Batman in the newly written Batman film, replacing the ho-hum Ben Affleck.
It was only in morning light that I realized that Ackles is actually a provocative choice that could actually revitalize the Batman franchise. Here's why...
Kick-Ass Resume
If you're unfamiliar with Jensen Ackles, you need to get your life right. Ackles has been working steadily as an actor since 1996 on television, movies and theater. He paid his dues in daytime television, playing matriarch Marlena's son Eric Brady on Days Of Our Lives from 1998 to 2000. His work as the far-too pretty and too-good offspring of the supercouple John and Marlena earned him his first Emmy nomination. He began the new millennium doing smaller movies until eventually landing in primetime with stints on Dollhouse, Dawson's Creek, and Smallville. He also took his horror chops to the big screen in the My Bloody Valentine remake (2009). In 2005, he was cast as dynamic anti-hero Dean Winchester in The CW's Superntural. In the 14 years since, he and co-star Jared Padalecki, turned a small paranormal drama that barely skirted cancellation on television's newest and smallest network into a cult classic with an rabid stanbase, and one of of the longest running genre shows in television history. Supernatural will air its 300th episode this year.
Fanboy Love
Jensen Ackles has never stopped declaring his love of superheroes. It's rumored that he was on the short list to play Marvel's Captain America, but had to bow out due to the time commitment. His personal love of Batman has crossed over in his professional life. In 2010, Ackles lended his glorious baritone to voice Jason Todd in the animated movie Batman: Under The Red Hood. As recently as last Halloween, he reminded everyone, include DC Entertainment casting directors, of his fanboy love for the Red Hood by doing a badass costumed photo shoot for Instagram.
(Why So) Serious Chops
As Dean Winchester, Jensen plays a demon hunter which has given him the ability to not only show his emotional range in gut-wrenchingly dramatic scenes with his little brother (AKA his reason for existing); his comedic chops and an impressive amount of fight scenes with a variety of weapons. And he does it all with an effortless talent and finesse few actors possess. Ackles is an extremely gifted actor, and in my totes unbiased opinion, he's one of the best on television. He just happened to fall into the The CW realm that is apparently invisible to the Television Academy...and every other awards nomination board. Ackles should have been nominated for an Emmy for his work on Supernatural at least twice. If you're looking for an example of his extraordinary talent, just watch season 4's "The End" where Ackles' doppleganger shared most of the scenes with...himself.
Bruce "Swagger" Wayne
Ackles, who currently plays an anti-hero driven by the murder of his parents with a cool car, a love of weapons and issues with authority figures, might be able to bring a unique twist to yet another iteration of Bruce Wayne. Beyond looking like an gourmet snack in Bruce Wayne's bespoke suits and the cape and cowl, Ackles has the personality to bring a modern, addictive swagger and a sex appeal to Bruce Wayne that was missing from Affleck's Batman without skimping on the feels and dark angst that fuels him. DC Entertainment has struggled to build out a fun, action-packed superhero universe in the way that Marvel has (Wonder Woman and Aquaman excluded), but no matter what quality of script the new Batman movie has received Jensen Ackles would elevate it to heights higher than the Dark Knight's mascot can fly. Thoughts? Who do you think should be the next Batman? Sound off below!
10 Comments
Slj247
1/13/2019 10:25:00 pm
Absolutely agree, Ackles would give new life to this character & I fully believe there is no better actor for the job!! Such a talent.
Pamela
1/14/2019 12:57:02 am
I would love to see Jensen Ackles as Batman. He is charismatic and has a big range in his acting ability. Bring him on.💜
Elsa
1/14/2019 05:26:47 am
I 100% agree with you. Jensen Ackles is everything you said and more. He’d make a great Caped Crusader.
JLM1010
1/14/2019 07:16:50 am
I absolutely 100% agree. Jensen Ackles is an amazing actor, who deserves to be recognized for his talent and range as an actor. Playing Batman would without a doubt, pull DC that much closer to the level of Marvel, and would allow the rest of the world to see what we already know. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve screamed at my television that Jensen deserves an Emmy for all he’s brought to Supernatural and Dean Winchester. Thank you for putting this out into the universe!!
Michelle
1/14/2019 07:26:01 am
All the yes! I’d love to see him get to do something like this! 1/14/2019 03:37:16 pm
I have wanted recognition for Jensen Ackles for so long, and there is no one more capable - or deserving - of taking this literal mantle on! But unfortunately, Hollywood casts with box office returns in mind and they go for the big names like Affleck, and then wonder why the movie flops. I would think I’d died and gone to heaven if someone in Hollywood finally wakes up and smells the coffee, but I’m not counting on it. I hope they remember what happened when Rami Malek stepped up to play Freddie. Small names can knock it out of the park!! 1/14/2019 03:48:47 pm
Minor correction: he was never considered for Dollhouse but for Tru Calling. He was, however, in Dark Angel :)
Alyson
1/14/2019 11:51:16 pm
If anyone could breathe new life into Batman, it is Jensen Ackles. No doubt.
Thomas Hunter
1/15/2019 06:08:37 pm
I say he does Batman beyond. That needs a live action movie! Leave a Reply. |
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