Superhero casting that almost was.

[Caligula]

We know that Joshua Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Cillian Murphy, Billy Crudup and others were on the short list for Christopher Nolan's Batman reboot.

I didn't know that Gyllenhaal was. Imagine The Dark Knight with him as Batman, and the role of Rachel Dawes staying as it is in that film. Creepy.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^It would also have added a whole new dynamic to the Batman/ Joker relationship, given Brokeback Mountain.

 

[iguana_tonante]

^ Oh boy.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

In the 80s, the people who were looking to make a Sub-Mariner film really wanted Nic Cage.

Again in the 80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was approached about Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen. Supposedly, as the story goes, despite being told he'd have to be nude, bald, and painted blue, he still said he'd consider it.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Almost a decade ago Ray Park was signed to star in Iron Fist for Artisan Entertainment, with Kurt Wong as director, but the movie never came to fruition. Artisan was acquired by Lionsgate and the Iron Fist rights have since reverted to Marvel.

 

[Greg Cox]

Brigitte Nielsen was supposed to be SHE-HULK at one point. There was even a big color ad in VARIETY.

And whatever happened to Rose McGowan as RED SONJA?

And a WONDER WOMAN movie starring Sandra Bullock was in development for awhile . . . .

 

[Kibbin]

If we're bringing him in, how come nobody has ever offered the part to Kevin Conroy? Or have they? I think he'd have to beef up a bit first. Or is it because he's simply not a big enough name outside of our geeky circles?

Maybe in the 89 movie or a few years later...I saw some clips on YT of him on Matlock & Murphy Brown...I don't think he would have had to beef up too much.

If we're bringing him in, how come nobody has ever offered the part to Kevin Conroy? Or have they? I think he'd have to beef up a bit first. Or is it because he's simply not a big enough name outside of our geeky circles?

I recall seeing Conroy in a sitcom back in the early '90s (Rachel Gunn, R.N., 1992), and he definitely had the build for Batman then; all he would've needed was to dye his hair darker. But now he's 54 years old, so I think the window for playing Batman in live action is pretty much past (unless it were an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, or unless there's a live-action Batman Beyond series in 20 years).

Ah kk, the only pictures I've seen of him are kinnda recent so didn't want to assume how he looked earlier on.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

The financiers of the various Robert E. Howard movies in development have postponed Red Sonja until after they see how Conan does. I'm not sure if Rose McGowan will still play Red Sonja if the film moves ahead. She plays another role in Conan, but perhaps they're not averse to her playing multiple parts.

Here's Brigitte Nielsen in some of the promo pics for the proposed She-Hulk movie that never got off the ground:

 

[ClayinCA]

Here's Brigitte Nielsen in some of the promo pics for the proposed She-Hulk movie that never got off the ground:

Thank Crom that this was never made.

 

[Christopher]

Hunh. Everything's green except her skin.

 

[captcalhoun]

she needs a costume redesign, STAT!

 

[Nick Ryder]

Yeah and that's a horrible looking costume. What? mousey Jen Walters, Attorney At Law just HAPPENED to have a stripper outfit in her closet too right?

Although honestly I would still love to see a She-Hulk movie. And y'know what even if it's a jokey, irreverent parody of a film, it would fit her, given the old John Byrne run. LOL a movie within a movie. Where she KNOWS it's a movie and she's reacting the situations and even doing silly things like "firing" the writer mid movie or asking for different effects. "Y'know right now would be a great time for some cool, stylized black and white... just keep my hair green!" or her outfit getting ripped to shreds and then these magical strips of fabric keep her from being completely nude and she looks at the label. "Whew at least all my clothes still carry the seal of the comics code authority. I've had this outfit that long? Marvel hasn't used the CCA in a decade..."

I think if they were to cast an actress who's both got good comedic timing and could marginally look alright kinda buff - they'd have a real hit. I mean sure she's "She Hulk" but name me one actress with a wrestler's build that is not only funny, but can act and doesn't look too... man-ish.

 

[Hartzilla2007]

Christian Bale auditioned for Robin in Forever but lost that role. Poor him.

That would've been awesome, transition from sidekick role to lead hero.

Instead of reboot, Batman Begins could've been Dick Grayson taking over the mantle of Batman.

Leaving The Dark Knight with a copycat Joker...oh, well.

Also the current status quo in the Batman comics would have likely become permanent had they done this.

We know that Joshua Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Cillian Murphy, Billy Crudup and others were on the short list for Christopher Nolan's Batman reboot.

I didn't know that Gyllenhaal was. Imagine The Dark Knight with him as Batman, and the role of Rachel Dawes staying as it is in that film. Creepy.

^It would also have added a whole new dynamic to the Batman/ Joker relationship, given Brokeback Mountain.

^ Oh boy.

Yeah, and Frank Miller wouldn't have helped either.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Joss Whedon posted on his website that he would have cast Cobie Smulders from "How I Met Your Mother" as Wonder Woman had he not left the movie adaptation, but he might have been joking. I'm not sure.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Didn't I hear Jack Black was initially asked to play Green Lantern?

I thought that was the Green Hornet?

I guess it's comparable to directors who sign "pay or play" deals with studios to direct films. For example, Tim Burton was paid to direct Superman Lives even though Warner Bros. eventually scrapped that production.

Burton got paid about $7 million. Nicolas Cage got $20 million. He may not be the highest paid actor ever but I'll bet no actor has ever made quite so much for doing so precious little.

Supposedly, the reason why Brett Ratner dropped out of Superman was because he wanted to cast Matthew Bomer while the studio wanted Brendan Fraser.

 

[Jetfire]

^
I like Brendan Fraser...would enjoy him as Superman...shame.

 

[Greg Cox]

Didn't I hear Jack Black was initially asked to play Green Lantern?

I thought that was the Green Hornet?.

Nope, they wanted him to play Green Lantern. Black recently divulged that the script had him catching bad guys in glowing green condoms . . . .

It was going to be a wacky comedy.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Thank God you didn't have to write THAT novelization eh Greg?

 

[Jetfire]

You can bash me if you want...

But was Ben Affleck ever up for Superman???

I thought he was great in Hollywoodland.

[edit] Even though he is 37...I would accept him as Superman now.

 

[Captaindemotion]

A slightly eerie one to contemplate is that River Phoenix and Christian Slater were both sought for The Crow ahead of Brandon Lee. Lee of course died during the filming and Phoenix died of a drug overdose soon after.