Christian Bale's voted best screen Batman in new poll

Christian Bale's gruff and brooding Bruce Wayne has been voted the best Batman in a new poll by fans.

Conducted by RadioTimes.com, thousands are said to have cast their votes, with Bale convincingly beating the likes of Michael Keaton and Adam West.

“The Dark Knight rises! After starring in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed bat-trilogy and reinventing the character for a new generation, it’s no surprise that Christian Bale is still fans’ favourite version of the Caped Crusader eight years after he left the role,” said Huw Fullerton, RadioTimes.com's Sci-Fi and Fantasy Editor.

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“He might not have shark-repellant bat-spray or a loyal boy sidekick, but after capturing over 40 per cent of the vote it’s clear to see that this particular Batman’s popularity is still not on the (Bruce) wane.”

Bale secured a massive 42 percent of the vote, with TV Batman Adam West coming in second with 14 percent, while Keaton narrowly came third with 13 percent.

Most recent Batman Ben Affleck came in fourth, followed by Kevin Conroy and Will Arnett (who voice the animated Batmans), Val Kilmer and George Clooney at the bottom of the table.

Bale played Batman three times, first in 2005's Batman Begins, then again in The Dark Knight in 2008 and finally in The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

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Currently in the role is Robert Pattinson, who is playing Bruce Wayne in The Batman, being directed by Matt Reeves.

However, the production hit its latest bump in the road last week, after the British actor tested positive for coronavirus, just days after the movie had resumed production following the coronavirus lockdown.

It halted production back in March, after shooting scenes in Glasgow and London.

The movie, which also stars Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell, is due for release on 1 October, 2021.