George Clooney gets fans debating as he claims he was a better Batman than Ben Affleck

George Clooney has got Batman fans thinking after joking that he was a better caped crusader than Ben Affleck.

When it comes to playing Batman there have been plenty of actors who have donned the iconic cape and cowl of one of the most recognisable comic book heroes of all time.

These days it's Robert Pattinson who prowls around Gotham City during the night and beats criminals into medical-bill induced poverty, but there has been a long line of Hollywood stars before him who've held the role.

Adam West was the first, and for some the best, but over the years there have been all sorts of actors in the role.

George Clooney took on the role for Batman & Robin after Val Kilmer didn't return after Batman Forever, but in the pantheon of Batman performances fans tend to rank him poorly.

It doesn't help that Batman & Robin is considered to be one of the worst superhero movies of all time, with Clooney himself admitting he 'f**ked up' the performance.

However, speaking at the Roybal Film and Television Production Magnet the movie star joked that he was actually the best Batman out there.

He said: "When you think of me you just think he's just the best Batman."

Fellow star Don Cheadle, who was also at the event, quipped back that he was only the 'best available' caped crusader they had.

Clooney joked back: "Ben Affleck, really? He's got nothing on me."

It's clear from his tone that he's having a laugh and poking a bit of fun at himself, but since this is the internet some Batfans have taken his joke seriously and started discussing whether Clooney was an underrated superhero.

One person said they believe 'there is an awesome Bruce/Batman inside George Clooney' and blamed his less than stellar performance in Batman & Robin on the demands of the role at the time.

Another said they wished 'George Clooney had another shot' at playing Batman considering his first and only outing was pretty much a disaster.

Someone else said he was the 'best Batman ever' because he was the only version of the superhero 'who had the Bat Credit Card', they may not have been entirely serious.

Others didn't agree, saying Affleck 'made a much better Batman', while some believe him to be 'the best written live action Batman'.

Affleck has appeared as Batman on the big screen several times starting with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before a cameo role in 2016's Suicide Squad.

He then had a leading part in Justice League (and by extension Zack Snyder's later release of the movie), and will make another appearance in the DC universe in next year's Aquaman sequel.

He'll also be appearing in The Flash if that movie ever sees the light of day, but beyond those films Affleck won't be making a return as Batman.

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