List of actors considered for the Batman character
TMC
This is a list of actors who were considered for the role of Batman.
Although never picked, these individuals represented some interesting
insights into who and how Batman would have been portrayed if picked.
This is a list of actors both officially (auditioned by the producers
of the films) and unofficially (picked by fans and celebrities)
considered for the role of the Caped Crusader.
Actors considered
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Ty Hardin 1966 Adam West
Mike Henry 1966 Adam West
Lyle Waggoner 1966 Adam West
Mel Gibson 1989 Michael Keaton
Kevin Costner 1989 Michael Keaton
Charlie Sheen 1989 Michael Keaton
Patrick Swayze 1989 Michael Keaton
Pierce Brosnan 1989 Michael Keaton
Tom Selleck 1989 Michael Keaton
Bill Murray[1] 1989 Michael Keaton
Daniel Day-Lewis[2] 1989 Michael Keaton
Alec Baldwin 1989 Michael Keaton
Jeff Bridges 1989 Michael Keaton
Kevin Kline 1989 Michael Keaton
Liam Neeson 1989 Michael Keaton
Harrison Ford 1989 Michael Keaton
Chevy Chase 1989 Michael Keaton
Richard Gere 1989 Michael Keaton
Steve Martin 1989 Michael Keaton
William Baldwin[3] 1995 Val Kilmer
Dean Cain 1995 Val Kilmer
Tom Hanks 1995 Val Kilmer
Tom Cruise 1995 Val Kilmer
Dennis Quaid 1995 Val Kilmer
Kurt Russell 1995 Val Kilmer
John Travolta 1995 Val Kilmer
Ralph Fiennes 1995 Val Kilmer
Kevin Bacon 1995 Val Kilmer
David Duchovny 1997 George Clooney
Matt LeBlanc 1997 George Clooney
Billy Crudup 2005 Christian Bale
Jake Gyllenhaal 2005 Christian Bale
Hugh Dancy 2005 Christian Bale
Joshua Jackson 2005 Christian Bale
Eion Bailey 2005 Christian Bale
Cillian Murphy[4] 2005 Christian Bale
[edit] Declined the role
A list of actors who more or less got the green light for a serious
consideration into playing Batman, however they denied the offer for
various reasons below.
Actor Year considered Reason for denial
Michael Keaton 1995 He was prepared to return for 1995's Batman
Forever, even going so far as to show up for costume fitting. However,
when director Tim Burton was dropped by Warner Bros., Keaton left the
franchise. He was reportedly dissatisfied with the screenplay approved
by the new director, Joel Schumacher, which Keaton considered to be
lighter in tone than the past two Batman movies. According to the A&E
Biography episode on Keaton, after he had refused the first time
(after meetings with Schumacher), Warner Brothers offered him
$35,000,000 (one of the highest salaries offered to an actor at the
time), but Keaton steadfastly refused. Keaton also wanted to pursue
"more interesting roles".[5]
Val Kilmer 1997 In February 1996, Kilmer decided not to return for a
sequel (1997's Batman & Robin with George Clooney replacing Kilmer),
feeling (much as Michael Keaton had when he vacated the role) that
Batman was being marginalized in favor of the villains. [6] Kilmer
went on to do The Saint with a salary of $6 million (triple the amount
of his contract for Batman Forever). [6] When asked why he didn't
return for a fourth installment, Kilmer said he liked the
characterization of Simon Templar better than Bruce Wayne. Kilmer
commented "Simon is a literary character who uses his wit, and not
violence. Batman is a real screwed-up guy who has hustled an entire
city, and now he's running around in a cape. What's it all about?" "I
was told that Val was difficult and wasn't [right] for me," says
director Joel Schumacher.[7] Schumacher later admitted he had
difficulty working with Kilmer on Forever. "He sort of quit,"
Schumacher said, "and we sort of fired him."[8] Kilmer said he was not
aware of the fast track production and was already committed to The
Saint.
David Boreanaz 2005 ???
[edit] Other characters
[edit] Robin
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Peter Deyell 1966 Burt Ward
Ricky Addison Reed 1989 None, as the character was ultimately cut from
the final script
Marlon Wayans[9] 1992 None, as the character was ultimately cut from
the final script
Leonardo DiCaprio 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Matt Damon 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Christian Bale 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Jude Law 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Ewan McGregor 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Corey Haim 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Corey Feldman 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Toby Stephens 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Scott Speedman 1995 Chris O'Donnell
Rikki Lee Travolta 1995 Chris O'Donnell
[edit] Joker
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
José Ferrer 1966 Cesar Romero
Gig Young 1966 Cesar Romero
Tim Curry 1989 Jack Nicholson
Willem Dafoe 1989 Jack Nicholson
David Bowie 1989 Jack Nicholson
James Woods[10] 1989 Jack Nicholson
Robin Williams 1989 Jack Nicholson
Paul Bettany[11] 2008 Heath Ledger
Lachy Hulme[12] 2008 Heath Ledger
Adrien Brody[13] 2008 Heath Ledger
Steve Carell[14] 2008 Heath Ledger
Robin Williams[15] 2008 Heath Ledger
[edit] Penguin
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Marlon Brando 1992 Danny DeVito
John Candy 1992 Danny DeVito
Dustin Hoffman 1992 Danny DeVito
Bob Hoskins 1992 Danny DeVito
Christopher Lloyd 1992 Danny DeVito
[edit] Rejected
Spencer Tracy was offered the role of The Penguin in the TV series
Batman (1966) before Burgess Meredith. He said he would only accept
the role if he was allowed to kill Batman.
[edit] Catwoman
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Suzanne Pleshette 1966 Julie Newmar
Annette Benning[16] 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Raquel Welch 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Jennifer Jason Leigh 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Lena Olin 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Ellen Barkin 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Cher 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Bridget Fonda 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Susan Sarandon[17] 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Anjelica Huston 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Madonna 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Demi Moore 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Jodie Foster 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Meg Ryan 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Joan Cusack 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Goldie Hawn 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Jessica Lange 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
Diane Keaton 1992 Michelle Pfeiffer
[edit] Declined the role
Actor Year considered Reason for denial
Annette Benning 1992 Benning became pregnant with her and husband,
Warren Beatty's first child.
Geena Davis 1992 ???
Brooke Shields 1992 ??
[edit] Rejects
Sean Young, who was originally cast as Vicki Vale in the 1989 film
(before being forced to bow out due to an injury from a horse-riding
scene that was utimately deleted from the film) before Kim Basinger,
believed the role in Batman Returns should have gone to her. Young
visited production offices dressed in a homemade Catwoman costume,
demanding an audition.
[edit] Riddler
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Damon Wayans 1995 Jim Carrey
Brad Dourif 1995 Jim Carrey
Matthew Broderick 1995 Jim Carrey
Michael Jackson 1995 Jim Carrey
[edit] Declined the role
Actor Year considered Reason for denial
Robin Williams[18] 1995 ???
Steve Martin 1995 Turned down the role because with the death of his
friend John Candy and his divorce from Victoria Tennant, he was too
sad to make any movies at the time.
[edit] Two-Face
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Clint Eastwood 1966 Two-Face ultimately did not appear, as the
character was labeled "too gruesome and too violent" for the "kid-
friendly" attitude that surrounded the show.
Mel Gibson 1995 Tommy Lee Jones
Liev Schreiber[19] 2008 Aaron Eckhart
Josh Lucas[20] 2008 Aaron Eckhart
Ryan Phillippe[21][22] 2008 Aaron Eckhart
Mark Ruffalo[23] 2008 Aaron Eckhart
Hugh Jackman 2008 Aaron Eckhart
[edit] Rejected
Billy Dee Williams appears as a pre-disfigurement Harvey Dent in
Batman (1989). Williams took the role specifically to guarantee his
casting in a sequel, reinforced by a pay or play contract. Williams
was set to reprise the role in a more villainous light in the sequel,
Batman Returns, but his character was deleted and replaced with
original villain Max Shreck. However, when Two-Face was to become a
secondary villain to Jim Carrey's Riddler in the third movie, director
Tim Burton had abdicated to Joel Schumacher, who decided to pay
Williams' penalty fee to hire Tommy Lee Jones.
[edit] Mr. Freeze
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Patrick Stewart[24] 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Anthony Hopkins 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hulk Hogan 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Sylvester Stallone 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bruce Willis 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger
[edit] Poison Ivy
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Julia Roberts 1997 Uma Thurman
Sharon Stone 1997 Uma Thurman
Demi Moore 1997 Uma Thurman
[edit] Dr. Chase Meridian
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Sandra Bullock 1995 Nicole Kidman
Melanie Griffith 1995 Nicole Kidman
Linda Hamilton 1995 Nicole Kidman
Rene Russo 1995 Nicole Kidman
Jeanne Tripplehorn 1995 Nicole Kidman
Robin Wright Penn 1995 Nicole Kidman
Rene Russo was in a sense, rejected after Val Kilmer officially
replaced Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman. It is generally
believed that the producers felt that Russo was too old to be
plausible as Val Kilmer's love interest.
[edit] Vicki Vale
Actor considered Year considered Final choice
Christine Baranski 1989 Kim Basinger
Sandra Bernhard 1989 Kim Basinger
Laraine Newman 1989 Kim Basinger
Michelle Pfeiffer 1989 Kim Basinger
Annie Potts 1989 Kim Basinger
Molly Ringwald 1989 Kim Basinger
Sharon Stone 1989 Kim Basinger
Sela Ward 1989 Kim Basinger
Debra Winger 1989 Kim Basinger
[edit] Declined the role
Actor Year considered Reason for denial
Sean Young 1989 As previously mentioned, Sean Young was originally
cast as Vicki Vale, but had to vacate the role after breaking her
collarbone in a horse riding. Therefore, Kim Basinger was brought in
as practically, a last minute replacement.
[edit] References
^ Nancy Griffin; Kim Masters (1997). "Hit Men". Hit & Run: How Jon
Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony For A Ride In Hollywood. Simon &
Schuster. pp. 158–174. ISBN 0-684-80931-1.
^ According to Variety, Daniel Day-Lewis was considered for Batman/
Bruce Wayne
^ Jeff Gordinier (1994-07-15). "Next At Batman". Entertainment Weekly.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302969,00.html. Retrieved
2007-10-14.
^ Dunkley, Cathy; Bing, Jonathan (2003-09-07). "Inside Move: New
dynamic for WB duo". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117891989.html?categoryid=1019&cs=1.
Retrieved 2006-11-02.
^ Army Archerd (1994-12-01). "Culkin kids ink with WMA". Variety.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117862593. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
^ a b "A Tights Squeeze". Entertainment Weekly. 1996-03-08.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,291605,00.html. Retrieved
2007-09-17.
^ Benjamin Svetkey (1996-07-12). "Holy Happy Set!". Entertainment
Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293237,00.html. Retrieved
2008-08-16.
^ Rebecca Ascher-Walsh (1995-05-31). "Psycho Kilmer". Entertainment
Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292752,00.html. Retrieved
2008-11-11.
^ Marlon Wayans | The A.V. Club
^ {cite book | author=David Hughes | title =Comic Book Movies |
publisher =Virgin Books | date =2003 | location = | pages =33–46 |
isbn = 0753507676| chapter = Batman}}
^ Chavez, Kellvin (2006-01-28). "Bettany Talks Batman Begins Sequel!".
latinoreview.com (Latino Review). http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=233.
Retrieved 2006-07-31.
^ Beall, Mark (2006-05-30). "Lachy Hulme Talks Joker". cinematical.com
(Moviefone). http://www.cinematical.com/2006/05/30/lachy-hulme-talks-joker/.
Retrieved 2006-07-31.
^ Stax (2006-01-09). "That Joker Adrien Brody". IGN Comics (News
Corporation). http://comics.ign.com/articles/679/679631p1.html.
Retrieved 2006-07-31.
^ Saney, Daniel (2005-09-21). "Steve Carell to play The Joker?".
digitalspy.co.uk (Digital Spy). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a24568/steve-carell-to-play-the-joker.html.
Retrieved 2007-12-09.
^ Otto, Jeff (2006-06-26). "Robin Williams, Joker?". IGN (News
Corporation). http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/714/714752p1.html.
Retrieved 2006-07-31.
^ "Batman 3". Entertainment Weekly. 1993-10-01.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308195,00.html. Retrieved
2008-08-16.
^ "Big-Game Hunting". Entertainment Weekly. 1991-08-09.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315097,00.html. Retrieved
2008-08-14.
^ Cindy Pearlman (1993-12-17). "Flashes: No Joker". Entertainment
Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308987,00.html. Retrieved
2008-08-16.
^ Chavez, Kellvin (2005-05-31). "Video Interview: Schreiber & Stiles
on The Omen!". latinoreview.com (Latino Review). http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=607.
Retrieved 2006-08-15.
^ Carroll, Larry (2006-04-21). "Movie File: Brad Pitt, Chevy Chase,
Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Josh Lucas & More". MTV.com (MTV).
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1529088/story.jhtml. Retrieved
2006-07-31.
^ Stax (2007-02-02). "Phillippe Talks Two-Face". IGN (News
Corporation). http://movies.ign.com/articles/760/760793p1.html.
Retrieved 2007-02-02.
^ McNary, Dave (2007-02-15). "Eckhart Set As Two-Face". Variety (Reed
Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117959570.html?categoryid=13&cs=1.
Retrieved 2007-02-15.
^ Seijas, Casey (2008-10-02). "Mark Ruffalo Discusses His Try-Out For
Harvey Dent/Two-Face Role In ‘The Dark Knight’". MTV Splash Page.
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/02/mark-ruffalo-discusses-his-try-out-for-harvey-denttwo-face-role-in-the-dark-knight/.
Retrieved 2008-10-03.
^ Jeff Gordinier; Jeffrey Wells (1995-12-15). "Bat Signal".
Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299916,00.html.
Retrieved 2008-11-14.
[edit] See also
List of actors who have played comic book characters
[edit] External links
NotStaring.com
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Forever (1995)
Batman & Robin (1997)
Batman Begins (2005)
The Dark Knight (2008)
UGO's World of Batman - The Batmen
==Actors considered==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Ty Hardin]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Adam West]]
|-
|[[Mike Henry]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Adam West]]
|-
|[[Lyle Waggoner]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Adam West]]
|-
|[[Mel Gibson]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Kevin Costner]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Charlie Sheen]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|-
|[[Patrick Swayze]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Pierce Brosnan]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Tom Selleck]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Bill Murray]]<ref name=Guber>{{cite book | author = Nancy Griffin;
Kim Masters | title = Hit & Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took
Sony For A Ride In Hollywood | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | date
=1997| location = | pages =158–174 | isbn = 0-684-80931-1 | chapter =
Hit Men}}</ref>
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Daniel Day-Lewis]]<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/trivia
According to Variety, Daniel Day-Lewis was considered for Batman/Bruce
Wayne]</ref>
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Alec Baldwin]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Jeff Bridges]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Kevin Kline]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Liam Neeson]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Harrison Ford]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Chevy Chase]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Richard Gere]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[Steve Martin]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|-
|[[William Baldwin]]<ref name=next>{{cite news |author = Jeff
Gordinier |title = Next At Batman |publisher = [[Entertainment
Weekly]] |date = 1994-07-15 |url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302969,00.html
|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref>
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Dean Cain]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Tom Hanks]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Tom Cruise]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Dennis Quaid]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Kurt Russell]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[John Travolta]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Ralph Fiennes]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[Kevin Bacon]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|-
|[[David Duchovny]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[George Clooney]]
|-
|[[Matt LeBlanc]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[George Clooney]]
|-
|[[Billy Crudup]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|-
|[[Jake Gyllenhaal]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|-
|[[Hugh Dancy]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|-
|[[Joshua Jackson]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|-
|[[Eion Bailey]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|-
|[[Cillian Murphy]]<ref name="dynamic">{{cite news|first=Cathy|
last=Dunkley|coauthors=Bing, Jonathan|url=http://www.variety.com/
article/VR1117891989.html?categoryid=1019&cs=1|title=Inside Move: New
dynamic for WB duo|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=2003-09-07|
accessdate=2006-11-02}}</ref>
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|[[Christian Bale]]
|}
==Declined the role==
A list of actors who more or less got the green light for a serious
consideration into playing Batman, however they denied the offer for
various reasons below.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor
!Year considered
!Reason for denial
|-
|[[Michael Keaton]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|He was prepared to return for 1995's ''[[Batman Forever]]'', even
going so far as to show up for costume fitting. However, when director
[[Tim Burton]] was dropped by Warner Bros., Keaton left the franchise.
He was reportedly dissatisfied with the screenplay approved by the new
director, [[Joel Schumacher]], which Keaton considered to be lighter
in tone than the past two Batman movies. According to the [[A&E
Network|A&E]] ''[[Biography (television program)|Biography]]'' episode
on Keaton, after he had refused the first time (after meetings with
Schumacher), Warner Brothers offered him $35,000,000 (one of the
highest salaries offered to an actor at the time), but Keaton
steadfastly refused. Keaton also wanted to pursue "more interesting
roles".<ref>{{cite news | author = [[Army Archerd]] | url =
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117862593 | title = Culkin kids ink
with WMA | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date =
[[1994-12-01]] | accessdate = 2008-08-16}}</ref>
|-
|[[Val Kilmer]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|In February 1996, Kilmer decided not to return for a sequel (1997's
''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'' with [[George Clooney]]
replacing Kilmer), feeling (much as Michael Keaton had when he vacated
the role) that Batman was being marginalized in favor of the villains.
<ref name=tight>{{cite news| title= A Tights Squeeze| publisher=
[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=1996-03-08| url =
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,291605,00.html| accessdate=2007-09-17}}
</ref> Kilmer went on to do ''[[The Saint (film)|The Saint]]'' with a
salary of $6 million (triple the amount of his contract for ''Batman
Forever''). <ref name=tight>A Tights Sqeeze</ref> When asked why he
didn't return for a fourth installment, Kilmer said he liked the
characterization of [[Simon Templar]] better than [[Bruce Wayne]].
Kilmer commented "Simon is a literary character who uses his wit, and
not violence. Batman is a real screwed-up guy who has hustled an
entire city, and now he's running around in a cape. What's it all
about?" "I was told that Val was difficult and wasn't [right] for me,"
says director [[Joel Schumacher]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Benjamin
Svetkey | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293237,00.html | title
= Holy Happy Set! | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date =
1996-07-12 | accessdate = 2008-08-16}}</ref> Schumacher later admitted
he had difficulty working with Kilmer on ''Forever''. "He sort of
quit," Schumacher said, "and we sort of fired him."<ref name=Val>
{{cite news | author = Rebecca Ascher-Walsh | url =
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292752,00.html | title = Psycho Kilmer
| work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = 1995-05-31 | accessdate =
2008-11-11}}</ref> Kilmer said he was not aware of the [[fast track]]
production and was already committed to ''The Saint''.
|-
|[[David Boreanaz]]
|[[Batman Begins|2005]]
|???
|}
==Other characters==
===Robin===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Peter Deyell]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Burt Ward]]
|-
|[[Ricky Addison Reed]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|None, as the character was ultimately cut from the final script
|-
|[[Marlon Wayans]]<ref>[http://www.avclub.com/content/node/23240
Marlon Wayans | The A.V. Club]</ref>
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|None, as the character was ultimately cut from the final script
|-
|[[Leonardo DiCaprio]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Matt Damon]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Christian Bale]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Jude Law]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Ewan McGregor]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Corey Haim]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Corey Feldman]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Toby Stephens]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Scott Speedman]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|-
|[[Rikki Lee Travolta]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Chris O'Donnell]]
|}
===Joker===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[José Ferrer]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Cesar Romero]]
|-
|[[Gig Young]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Cesar Romero]]
|-
|[[Tim Curry]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|-
|[[Willem Dafoe]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|-
|[[David Bowie]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|-
|[[James Woods]]<ref>{cite book | author=David Hughes | title =Comic
Book Movies | publisher =[[Virgin Books]] | date =2003 | location = |
pages =33–46 | isbn = 0753507676| chapter = Batman}}</ref>
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|-
|[[Robin Williams]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|-
|[[Paul Bettany]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Kellvin|last=Chavez|url=http://
www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=233|title=Bettany Talks ''Batman
Begins'' Sequel!|work=latinoreview.com|publisher=Latino Review|
date=2006-01-28|accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Heath Ledger]]
|-
|[[Lachy Hulme]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Beall|url=http://
www.cinematical.com/2006/05/30/lachy-hulme-talks-joker/|title=Lachy
Hulme Talks Joker|work=cinematical.com|publisher=Moviefone|
date=2006-05-30|accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Heath Ledger]]
|-
|[[Adrien Brody]]<ref name=Stax2>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=That
Joker Adrien Brody|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/
679/679631p1.html|work=[[IGN]] Comics|publisher=[[News Corporation]]|
date=2006-01-09|accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Heath Ledger]]
|-
|[[Steve Carell]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Saney|url=http://
www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a24568/steve-carell-to-play-the-joker.html|title=Steve
Carell to play The Joker?|work=digitalspy.co.uk|publisher=[[Digital
Spy]] |date=2005-09-21|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Heath Ledger]]
|-
|[[Robin Williams]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Otto|url=http://
filmforce.ign.com/articles/714/714752p1.html |title=Robin Williams,
Joker?|work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[News Corporation]]|date=2006-06-26|
accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Heath Ledger]]
|}
===Penguin===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Marlon Brando]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Danny DeVito]]
|-
|[[John Candy]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Danny DeVito]]
|-
|[[Dustin Hoffman]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Danny DeVito]]
|-
|[[Bob Hoskins]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Danny DeVito]]
|-
|[[Christopher Lloyd]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Danny DeVito]]
|}
====Rejected====
[[Spencer Tracy]] was offered the role of [[Penguin (comics)|The
Penguin]] in the TV series ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' (1966)
before [[Burgess Meredith]]. He said he would only accept the role if
he was allowed to kill Batman.
===Catwoman===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Suzanne Pleshette]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Julie Newmar]]
|-
|[[Annette Benning]]<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308195,00.html
| title = ''Batman 3'' | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date =
[[1993-10-01]] | accessdate = 2008-08-16}}</ref>
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Raquel Welch]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Jennifer Jason Leigh]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Lena Olin]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Ellen Barkin]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Cher]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Bridget Fonda]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Susan Sarandon]]<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315097,00.html
| title = Big-Game Hunting | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date =
[[1991-08-09]] | accessdate = 2008-08-14}}</ref>
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Anjelica Huston]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Demi Moore]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Jodie Foster]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Meg Ryan]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Joan Cusack]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Goldie Hawn]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Jessica Lange]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|-
|[[Diane Keaton]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|}
====Declined the role====
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor
!Year considered
!Reason for denial
|-
|[[Annette Benning]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|Benning became pregnant with her and husband, [[Warren Beatty]]'s
first child.
|-
|[[Geena Davis]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|???
|-
|[[Brooke Shields]]
|[[Batman Returns|1992]]
|??
|}
====Rejects====
[[Sean Young]], who was originally cast as [[Vicki Vale]] in the
[[Batman (1989 film)|1989 film]] (before being forced to bow out due
to an injury from a horse-riding scene that was utimately deleted from
the film) before [[Kim Basinger]], believed the role in ''[[Batman
Returns]]'' should have gone to her. Young visited production offices
dressed in a homemade Catwoman costume, demanding an audition.
===Riddler===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Damon Wayans]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Jim Carrey]]
|-
|[[Brad Dourif]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Jim Carrey]]
|-
|[[Matthew Broderick]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Jim Carrey]]
|-
|[[Michael Jackson]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Jim Carrey]]
|}
====Declined the role====
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor
!Year considered
!Reason for denial
|-
|[[Robin Williams]]<ref>{{cite news | author = Cindy Pearlman | url =
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308987,00.html | title = Flashes: No
Joker | work = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = [[1993-12-17]] |
accessdate = 2008-08-16}}</ref>
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|???
|-
|[[Steve Martin]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|Turned down the role because with the death of his friend [[John
Candy]] and his divorce from [[Victoria Tennant]], he was too sad to
make any movies at the time.
|}
===Two-Face===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Clint Eastwood]]
|[[Batman (TV series)|1966]]
|[[Two-Face]] ultimately did not appear, as the character was labeled
"too gruesome and too violent" for the "kid-friendly" attitude that
surrounded the show.
|-
|[[Mel Gibson]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Tommy Lee Jones]]
|-
|[[Liev Schreiber]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Kellvin|last=Chavez|
url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=607|title=Video Interview:
Schreiber & Stiles on The Omen!|work=latinoreview.com|publisher=Latino
Review|date=2005-05-31|accessdate=2006-08-15}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Aaron Eckhart]]
|-
|[[Josh Lucas]]<ref name=Carroll2>{{cite news|first=Larry|last=Carroll|
url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1529088/story.jhtml|
title=Movie File: Brad Pitt, Chevy Chase, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson,
Josh Lucas & More|work=MTV.com |publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2006-04-21|
accessdate=2006-07-31}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Aaron Eckhart]]
|-
|[[Ryan Phillippe]]<ref name=Stax3>{{cite news|author=Stax|
title=Phillippe Talks Two-Face|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/
760/760793p1.html|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[News Corporation]]|
date=2007-02-02|accessdate=2007-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|
first=Dave|last=McNary|url=http://www.variety.com/article/
VR1117959570.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|title=Eckhart Set As Two-Face|
journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business
Information]]|date=[[2007-02-15]]|accessdate=2007-02-15}}</ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Aaron Eckhart]]
|-
|[[Mark Ruffalo]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Casey|last=Seijas|title=Mark
Ruffalo Discusses His Try-Out For Harvey Dent/Two-Face Role In ‘The
Dark Knight’|work=[[MTV]] Splash Page|date=2008-10-02|url=http://
splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/02/mark-ruffalo-discusses-his-try-out-for-
harvey-denttwo-face-role-in-the-dark-knight/|accessdate=2008-10-03}}</
ref>
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Aaron Eckhart]]
|-
|[[Hugh Jackman]]
|[[The Dark Knight (film)|2008]]
|[[Aaron Eckhart]]
|}
====Rejected====
[[Billy Dee Williams]] appears as a pre-disfigurement Harvey Dent in
''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989). Williams took the role
specifically to guarantee his casting in a sequel, reinforced by a
[[pay or play contract]]. Williams was set to reprise the role in a
more villainous light in the sequel, ''[[Batman Returns]]'', but his
character was deleted and replaced with original villain [[Max
Shreck]]. However, when Two-Face was to become a secondary villain to
[[Jim Carrey]]'s [[Riddler]] in the third movie, director [[Tim
Burton]] had abdicated to [[Joel Schumacher]], who decided to pay
Williams' penalty fee to hire [[Tommy Lee Jones]].
===Mr. Freeze===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Patrick Stewart]]<ref name=pop>{{cite news | author = Jeff
Gordinier; Jeffrey Wells | title = Bat Signal | url =
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299916,00.html | work =
[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = 1995-12-15 | accessdate =
2008-11-14}}</ref>
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
|-
|[[Anthony Hopkins]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
|-
|[[Hulk Hogan]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
|-
|[[Sylvester Stallone]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
|-
|[[Bruce Willis]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
|}
===Poison Ivy===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Julia Roberts]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Uma Thurman]]
|-
|[[Sharon Stone]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Uma Thurman]]
|-
|[[Demi Moore]]
|[[Batman & Robin (film)|1997]]
|[[Uma Thurman]]
|}
===Dr. Chase Meridian===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Sandra Bullock]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|-
|[[Melanie Griffith]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|-
|[[Linda Hamilton]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|-
|[[Rene Russo]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|-
|[[Jeanne Tripplehorn]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|-
|[[Robin Wright Penn]]
|[[Batman Forever|1995]]
|[[Nicole Kidman]]
|}
[[Rene Russo]] was in a sense, rejected after [[Val Kilmer]]
officially replaced [[Michael Keaton]] as Bruce Wayne/Batman. It is
generally believed that the producers felt that Russo was too old to
be plausible as Val Kilmer's love interest.
===Vicki Vale===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor considered
!Year considered
!Final choice
|-
|[[Christine Baranski]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Sandra Bernhard]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Laraine Newman]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Annie Potts]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Molly Ringwald]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Sharon Stone]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Sela Ward]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|-
|[[Debra Winger]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|[[Kim Basinger]]
|}
====Declined the role====
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Actor
!Year considered
!Reason for denial
|-
|[[Sean Young]]
|[[Batman (1989 film)|1989]]
|As previously mentioned, Sean Young was originally cast as [[Vicki
Vale]], but had to vacate the role after breaking her collarbone in a
horse riding. Therefore, [[Kim Basinger]] was brought in as
practically, a last minute replacement.
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[List of actors who have played comic book characters]]
==External links==
*[http://www.notstarring.com/ NotStaring.com]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/batman ''Batman'' (1989)]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/batman-returns ''Batman
Returns'' (1992)]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/batman-forever ''Batman
Forever'' (1995)]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/batman---robin ''Batman &
Robin'' (1997)]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/batman-begins ''Batman Begins
(2005)]
**[http://www.notstarring.com/movies/dark-knight ''The Dark
Knight'' (2008)]
*[http://batman.ugo.com/batmen/default.asp UGO's World of Batman - The
Batmen]
{{Batman actors}}
[[Category:Batman lists|Actors considered for the Batman character]]
[[Category:Batman films| ]]
[[Category:Batman television series| ]]
[[Category:Lists of actors by role|Batman]]