With the DVD release of Watchmen this week, one of the best superhero films of all time, the public is receiving the opportunity to own a film that turned out much different than it once could have.
A few of you film buffs, like myself, may have already been exposed to such information, but were the rest of you aware that there we were almost given a much different Watchmen film than the one they gave us? Did you know that at different points during the movie’s conception, John Cusack was slated to play “Nite Owl”, Keanu Reeves was to take on “Dr. Manhattan”, Thomas Jane could have played “The Comedian” and Jude Law was maybe “Ozymandias”? Yeah, think about what kind of experience that would have been.
Whether it would have been better or worse that the final product we were given, we will never know, but what is for sure is that superhero movies always seem to have the greatest “almost castings” in the entire film world. So, in honor of the Watchmen that we could have seen, I present to you the very first “List Off”, counting down the greatest “could-have-been” superhero roles.
1. Bill Murray as “Bruce Wayne/Batman” in Batman (1989)
We have to start of with a bang here and what better way to do so than to begin with the movie that changed the course of film forever. The very first true Batman film was a landmark in cinema history. It was the first successful film to tie in its corporate symbol and cash in on all the merchandise that we are now aware of in today’s film world. Before Batman was released, there were rarely T-Shirts or Ball Caps that came along with the movie’s image. There were no special drink sponsors or toy-lines at McDonalds. Warner Brothers was able to capitalize on director Tim Burton’s film to gather every penny that it could.
One has to then wonder how exactly this would have been different had any of the other actors considered been cast in Michael Keaton’s place. Before Burton came on board, the likes of Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin and Daniel Day-Lewis were considered for the lead role in their film. Before they made any sort of decision on which direction the film was to be taken though, they considered simply making a camp version, similar to the 1960’s TV Series starring Adam West. It is here, ladies and gentlemen, that the casting of Bill Murray came into play. The Saturday Night Live alumnus was in the running to take on the gray and blue body suit and fight the baddies with a “Zing!” and a “Pow!”. I think that Murray would have pulled it off too, but I do believe that I speak for most when I say that I’m glad they went in another direction.
2. Nicolas Cage as “Clark Kent/Superman” in Tim Burton’s Superman
Oh you did indeed read that correctly ladies and gentlemen. Nic Cage and his weirdly hypnotic changing hairline nearly played the Man of Steel in a Superman reboot that director Tim Burton was going to make in the late 90’s. Any Kevin Smith fans out there might recall that he was brought on board to do a doctoring of the script that they already had but it was thrown out due to a now rather famous (and hilarious) exchange between he and Burton. But yes, adamant Superman fanatic Nicolas Cage was in fact set to star in his own fantasy, but for the relief of audiences every where, it was shelved and never saw the light of day again. Instead, Ghost Rider apparently seemed like a worthy consolation prize. What happened to you Mr. Cage? You used to be able to show you had talent.
3. Tom Cruise as “Tony Stark/Iron Man” in Iron Man (2008)
Well, considering the artists of the comic book series began to draw Tony Stark to look more similar to Cruise when rumors of an Iron Man movie began to surface, in retrospect it did in fact seem like a fitting choice to take on the role of a womanizing, smart-alec billionaire. But once Robert Downey Jr. got his chops locked into that helmet, there was no other choice that even came close to him. He was witty, he was charming, and he fit right into the middle of director Jon Favreau’s overall vision of the movie. Tom Cruise is a big action star, yes, but a superhero he just doesn’t seem to be. Oh, and just so everyone is aware, Nic Cage was also considered. Yeah.
4. Dougray Scott as “Logan/Wolverine” in X-Men (2000)
The movie that made it okay to make superhero movies again almost had an entirely different leading man. Right before production was about to begin, Dougray Scott had to leave due to commitments to another project. Now, a lot of you are probably asking, “who?” Well, his films include Ever After, Deep Impact and the movie he had to do re-shoots on, Mission: Impossible 2. Yeah, it was pretty much a case of bad timing to be tied down by another, less spectacular action movie, don’t you think? Anyway, Hugh Jackman obviously took over the role, starred in a phenomenal sequel (and two others that we don’t really care to talk about) and Scott went on to play the villain in the reboot that no one asked for, Punisher: War Zone. Oh Dougray Scott, what could have been for you…
5. Vin Diesel as either “Matt Murdock/Daredevil” or “Bullseye” in Daredevil (2003)
The only other instance that I can recall an actor was considered for both the hero and the villain of a comic book movie is that of Cillian Murphy in Batman Begins. Of course, we all know that he wasn’t cast as Batman, so, they gave him to role of Jonathon Crane/Scarecrow instead. In that case, the movie really did benefit. In the case of Daredevil though, I’m not so sure that Diesel fit either role. I must first state that the entire movie itself is a mess from beginning to end. Ben Affleck wasn’t necessarily miscast, but he also wasn’t perfect by any means. He was, however, better than the proposed Diesel would have been, don’t you think?
Imagine, the gruff voiced, very stern browed Diesel attempting to be blind and convincing as a modern day lawyer/eccentric costumed antihero. He didn’t have the essence to pull it off. Saying that whole film was a mess though, doesn’t mean that the bad guy was a complete waste. For what it was trying to be, I thought Colin Farrell did a great job as Bullseye. He got the crazy amount down pat and looked pretty bad-ass doing it. Diesel on the other hand, I can’t picture being crazy and bad ass at the same time. Unless it’s a comedy. The Pacifier anyone?
6. Ashton Kutcher as “Bruce Wayne/Batman” in Batman Begins (2005)
That’s right everyone, everyone’s favourite TV moron Michael Kelso was considered for the role that made Christian Bale a household name. Along with the likes of Hugh Dancy, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Crudup and Cillian Murphy (see Daredevil entry) Kutcher was considered and apparently auditioned for the coveted role. I think that is enough for us to think about for this entry.
7. Ryan Reynolds as “Barry Allen/The Flash” in Untitled Flash Movie
I’m somewhat cheating with this entry here, as the proposed Flash movie is still in active development. However, it’s been about two years since it was first rumored that the man who played Deadpool in Wolverine was to switch over to DC in order to play the fastest superhero around. With the most recent news being that Reynolds has been cast as Hal Jordan aka The Green Lantern in that proposed film, I think it’s safe to say that his chance of being The Flash now are slim to none. It’s a shame. He’s going to make a decent Green Lantern, but it was near perfect casting for The Flash. Then again, I guess it’s better he play Lantern than that of Justin Timberlake. Yeah. JT was in the running for it too!!
8. Marion Ross as “Aunt Mae” in Spiderman (2001)
How about that? The Mrs. Cunningham was nearly the most famous elderly figure in the entire Marvel universe. How weird would that have been? I am certain that I wouldn’t be the only one sitting there, just waiting for Richie Cunningham to come in as Spidey to complain about how he just can’t seem to beat the Green Goblin. He would have to enlist the Fonz to do it for him. Oh, Happy Days. How hilarious you could have made Spiderman.
9. The rest of the cast of Tim Burton’s/Joel Shumacher’s Batman Franchise
I don’t really care if you think this is a cop out, it’s funny and interesting none the less. There are just too many “almosts” within this series to go unmentioned, so just get a load of some of these doozies.
For the very first and original film, Sean Young was cast as Vicki Vale, but unfortunately broke her collarbone and had to pull out. Kim Basinger got the part which then launched her to fame. In Batman Returns the role of Catwoman was to be played by Annette Bening, but she got pregnant and couldn’t. Before Michelle Pfeiffer immortalized the role, Sean Young, at a rather pivotal point in her rapidly declining career, begged for the role, but alas was left shut out and in the cold.
Jack Nicholson of course, gave one of the most solid performances of his career playing Jack Napier/The Joker. Nicholson was reluctant to sign on however, and the role went to Robin Williams. Once Nicholson got wind of such a transaction, he took the bait, accepted and the rest is history. Williams didn’t take kindly to the move though, and when it came to casting The Riddler in Batman Forever, Williams was sought after, but ultimately was still soar from the previous backstabbing and declined.
One of the most amazing turn downs from the first Batman film was that of Ray Liotta being the first choice as District Attorney Harvey Dent. Liotta unfortunately had a prior engagement with Goodfellas, which in retrospect, was indeed the better choice. Chris O’Donnell played the role of Robin in the final two films of the series, but originally, the character was set to make his first appearance in the second one, Batman Returns. The man who was supposed to play him? Marlon Wayans of Scary Movie fame. That’s right, he even got paid as they decided not to keep the character in the film by the final cut.
The wonderful Rene Russo was supposed to be Michael Keaton’s love interest in Batman Forever, but once Tim Burton was dropped as director, and Joel Schumacher took the series in a new direction with a new Batman at the helm, Russo was deemed too old for Val Kilmer and was replaced by Nicole Kidman. Mel Gibson apparently declined the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, for the film as well, making us wonder if any man could have made the role more ridiculous than Tommy Lee Jones had.
The fourth, and absolute worst of the series, Batman and Robin brought forth one of the most hilarious casting suggestions ever. Despite Arnold Schwarzenegger creating one of the most unintentionally hilarious character’s ever, Schumacher’s second choice for the role was none other than Sylvester Stallone. You don’t think that could have been the worst thing that could have happened? Hulk Hogan was his third. Sometimes I just sit and thank Christopher Nolan for making forget the Schumacher Batman’s that almost ruined my childhood.
10. The rest of the cast of Chistopher Nolan’s Batman Begins Franchise
How fair would it be to not address some of the other casting choices from the obviously superior Batman series that we have been given? Not that fair I don’t think.
So, the role in which Liam Neeson plays was in fact originally thought for Daniel Day-Lewis or Viggo Mortenson. Neeson was good, but I feel as though either of those guys could have drove home an equally great interpretation of the role. The same sort of thing goes for the role of Lt. Jim Gordon, as Chris Cooper, Dennis Quaid and Kurt Russell were both thought of. Those guys have proven themselves before, and this role really seems to be right up their alley.
Of course, the really fun rumours were abound once talk of a sequel came into play. Everyone was speculating who was going to be The Joker and who was going to be Harvey Dent. Fanboys alike, all offered up their opinions, citing Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Live Schreiber and my choice Guy Pearce to all be phenomenal Harvey Dent’s. Josh Lucas actually threw his name into the open, publicly announcing he was interested in playing the eventual Two Face. Alas, Aaron Eckhart won the rights, but not many people know that Matt Damon actually turned it down first. That could have been interesting as well, I feel.
As far as the Joker casting went, no one named could have possibly done as good a job as Heath Ledger made it out to be. Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, the voice of the animated Joker and Luke Sjywalker actor Mark Hamill and again, my personal fave Michael Keaton (how great would that twist casting have been) were all rumored for the roles, but ultimately, Nolan got his first choice it seems.
We should all take this time to now think about who we will be getting for Nolan’s inevitable Batman 3. Oh, what a fun time it is between fantastic film and sequel!