Michael Keaton
One of the most controversial casting decisions of all time occurred when it was announced that Michael Keaton would be playing the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton’s big-screen resurrection of the comic book legend. Keaton to that point had appeared in just straight-up dramatic roles and was known mostly as a kind of goofy comic lead. His biggest hit was as the title character in Mr. Mom which to many fans simply did not jibe with the extravagant promises that the movie would be a darker and edgier vision leagues away from the campy 1960’s TV series.
Jack Nicholson
As much as fans hooted with outrage at the casting of Keaton as Batman, they rejoiced with peals of pleasure at the idea of Jack Nicholson as the Joker. In fact, if ever an actor seemed born to play the Joker, it was Nicholson. The truth, however, is that the filmmakers came precariously close to having to deal with a double whammy when it came to defending their promise that the film was not going to be a comedic version: Robin Williams had been offered the role in the wake of Nicholson’s wavering on the decision, but that offered turned out to be just as much a baiting maneuver as a legitimate offer. When Nicholson was told if he wasn’t ready to commit, Williams would be playing the part, he quickly made up his mind. As part of his negotiated deal to receive a portion of the movie’s revenue, Nicholson eventually wound up pocking an estimated 60 million dollars for making that role. For his part, Williams refused to play the Riddler in a sequel because he felt he’d been duped.
Kim Basinger
Actress Sean Young was initially cast as Vicki Vale, Bruce Wayne’s love interest, but an injury forced her to bow out shortly before filming. The irony is that Basinger was actually the first choice of the filmmakers, but was not offered the role due to agent negotiation tactics.
Robert Wuhl
Yet another comic actor was cast in a major role when Robert Wuhl took on the character of a newspaper reporter. Wuhl’s comic sensibility wound up impacting how the film turned out. His character was originally slated to become one of the Joker’s victims, but his funny ad-libs were so popular that the script was rewritten to allow him to live.
Billy Dee Williams
Tim Burton hired Williams to play DA Harvey Dent on the basis of a potential sequel in which he becomes his villainous alter ego, Two-Face. Burton was intrigued by the idea of a Two-Face with a black/white color scheme and Williams signed on for Batman primarily on the basis of the potential for transforming Dent into a villain. When the sequel featuring Two-Face finally went into production, Joel Schumacher had taken over directorial duties from Burton and he wanted Tommy Lee Jones to play part, necessitating a buyout of Williams’ contract.
Jack Palance
Jack Palance was almost a kind of Jack Nicholson of his era: an actor capable of a Satanic look whose characters always seem to be maybe just one bad day from a total psychotic breakdown. As such, there is certain level of Hollywood irony in the Joker killing mob boss Carl Grissom and taking over his empire, in the process of letting the repressed psychosis enjoy full expression.
Pat Hingle
Although the part wound up going to veteran character actor Pat Hingle—member of the “I know the face, but can’t place the name” school of actor—the list of those considered at one time for another for the part reads like who’s who of Hollywood history. The list indicates that character was not exactly sharply delineated in the screenplay: Clint Eastwood, Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, Ned Beatty, Marlon Brando and Mel Brooks represent just a portion of the breathtaking variety of actors who might have become Commissioner. Hingle would go to play Gordon in all three sequels.
