If The Bat Suit Fits

Over the next few days, some of the hottest young actors in Hollywood will be stopping by Warner Bros Studios to screen-test for the next incarnation of Batman, slated to begin shooting early next year.

Surprisingly, a large number of British actors are being touted for the part as Bruce Wayne and his crime fighting alter-ego.

Christian Bale, whose most prominent role was as the lead character in American Psycho, is one of the favourites for the role, which will also be chased by Cillian Murphy who was last seen fighting diseased mutants in 28 Days Later.

Other Brits tipped for screen tests are Henry Cavill, who was in the recent adaptation of The Count Of Monte Cristo, and Hugh Dancy whose biggest role to date was a bit part in Black Hawk Down - though next years King Arthur should bring him into prominence.

Other actors tipped for role include Jake Gyllenhaal who played the eponymous Donnie Darko and Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek fame

When Michael Keaton was originally cast as the big-screen Batman, the comic book world was outraged - until they saw his performance which received rave reviews and the movie went on to break box office records.

Since Keaton decided to hang up his cape, Val Kilmer and George Clooney have both failed to provide the right presence to please the audiences.

Despite this however, each Batman film so far has managed to break opening weekend records.

With Joel Schumacher pleasing the bank manager, but not the critics, Christopher Nolan is the new man on board to take over the directing reins.

The highly-rated Brit director is best known for the psychological thriller Memento, as well as the Al Pacino and Robin Williams thriller Insomnia.