Ryan Gosling could be the next Batman after Christian Bale in the forthcoming Batman and Superman flick arriving in theaters in 2015, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Tyler Hoechlin, Joe Manganiello, Richard Armitage, Max Martini, Matthew Goode and Josh Brolin, 46, are also rumored as contenders for the role though Gosling, 32, is a fan favorite. At this poing, any of the six actors could become the caped crusader playing alongside Henry Cavill in the newly announced, but highly anticipated hero flick.

The "Man of Steel" sequel is not ever written yet, but movie executives are reportedly looking for an older male in his late 30s or around 40 as the new Batman, reported HR.

Many fans have been taking guesses on who would be the lucky actor to don the bat costume since Warner Bros. and DC announced the movie at this year's Comic Con. Some speculation even put "Supernatural" star Jensen Ackles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the list of possible picks.

Whoever the selected actor, the film will not recount the origin or rise of the Dark Knight. Instead, executives are aiming for the "tone of the relationship and fight" seen in Frank Miller's 1980 ground-breaking series, "The Dark Knight Returns."

Gosling and Brolin seem to be role frontrunners due to their already strong relationships with Warner Bros. Both actors starred in the studio's "Gangster Squad" this year.

The "Only God Forgives" actor may win favor due to being the youngest and most fan-favored actor on the list with great "acting chops," HR said.

But Brolin won't be counted out. The fairly popular actor may have some leeway due to having also starred in "Jonah Hex," one of the studio's 2010 action fantasies meets westerns. He will also appear on the big screen in another pair of Warners movies, "Quasimodo" and "Crazy for the Storm."

And the veteran actor also has a connection to Batman storyteller, Miller in leading the "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" movie as a take on Miller's crime comics.

Who do you think will take the famed Batman role? Tell us in the comments section below!