Summary
In an alternate reality, the comic book movies of theMCU, theDCU, and beyond would have featured some very different faces as their villains. Some consider themovies of the MCUto have perfected the formula for casting movie villains, with a number of remarkable actors appearing within the franchise. Likewise, the DCEU featured a number of great performers during its run, and comic book movies predating either franchise have also seen a number of great villains.
Casting an antagonist isn’t always straightforward, however, and across themovie timelines of the DCEU, the MCU, and in the wider superhero genre have seen a number of near-castings. Many well-known actors have been tipped to play prominent villains only for it never to come to pass. In an alternate reality, a number of iconic movie supervillains looked completely different. With that in mind, here are 10 actors who almost played comic book movie villains.
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10Mads Mikkelsen Almost Played Malekith
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
TheMCU’s movie timelinehas seen many well-respected actors appear in villainous roles, and Mads Mikkelsen almost appeared much earlier. Though he went on to play Kaecilius inDoctor Strange, Mikkelsen was reportedly once up for the role of Malekith inThor: The Dark World. The almost casting came to light after concept art for the movie was released, revealing that Mikkelsen was at one stage in contention to playThe Dark World’s villain.
Mads Mikkelsen’s acting credits clearly demonstrate why he’d be perfect for the role, and that includes his eventual MCU appearance inDoctor Strange. Roles as Le Chiffre inCasino Royaleand Hannibal Lecter inHannibalproved exactly why he’d be excellent as Malekith, as they showcased Mikkelsen’s potential to play cold and calculating characters. Ultimately, Mikkelsen did earn a place in the MCU, though not as the villain he was initially tipped to play.
(Source:CBR)
9Robin Williams Almost Played Both The Joker & The Riddler
Batman (1989), Batman Forever (1995)
Perhaps the most famous near-casting in comic book movie history came during the development of Tim Burton’s 1989 movieBatman, which saw the director approach the inimitable Robin Williams to play the Joker. The studio wanted Jack Nicholson for the part, however, and reportedly used Williams’ interest as leverage to encourage Nicholson to sign on. Williams was upset by the whole ordeal, and went on to speak about it many times later in his career.
Just six years later, Williams was up for another Batman villain role, this time as Riddler under Joel Schumacher for the 1995 movieBatman Forever. Ultimately, Williams lost out again, with the role going to Jim Carrey, although not being a part of Schumacher’s ill-fatedBatmanmovies was ultimately a blessing in disguise. Even so,Robin Williams would have put an interesting stamp on either of the iconic villainshad he actually been cast in one of the two Batman movies.
8Josh Hartnett Was Considered For Loki
Thor (2011)
Long beforeLoki’s self-titled seriesasserted him as one of the franchise’s most popular characters, he was a relatively unknown villain when Marvel sought to cast him for 2011’sThor. Among the many actors in talks to play Loki in the MCU wasJosh Hartnett, who would likely have provided a very different spin on Marvel’s God of Mischief.Hartnett was reportedly on director Kenneth Branagh’s shortlistfor the role, though it ultimately went to Tom Hiddleston.
Over Hartnett’s career, his credits have quietly showcased a broad range of talents. He’s delivered capable performances in thrillers, dramas, comedies, and more, demonstrating his versatile nature as a performer. Though Hartnett’s reputation is decidedly understated,he’d certainly have brought an interesting aspect to the character of Loki had he been cast. He wasn’t destined for the part, however, but in an alternate timeline, Josh Hartnett might have become the MCU’s Loki.
7Matthew McConaughey Was Almost The MCU’s Ego
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood’s biggest modern stars, having maintained his mainstream success over multiple decades. McConaughey’s resurgence as a respected performer saw him catapulted to the top of Hollywood’s A-list.He was also reportedly offered a role inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is asserted to have been the movie’s villain, Ego.
HadMcConaughey not turned down the MCU role, he would likely have appeared as Star-Lord’s Celestial father, Ego the Living Planet. The actor’s natural charisma and screen presence would have made him magnetic as the villain, particularly as he has proven himself capable of playing an incredibly versatile range of characters. What’s more, Matthew McConaughey’s profile would have proved a major draw for the movie, although Kurt Russell’s eventual appearance in the role was arguably able to rival even McConaughey’s fame.
6Emma Roberts Turned Down Playing Harley Quinn
Margot Robbie’s turn as Harley Quinn is widely considered one of the best castings in all of themovies of the DCEU, but reportedly, she wasn’t actually director David Ayer’s first choice for the role. Before Robbie was cast, the role of Harley Quinn was offered to Emma Roberts, who ultimately turned it down. Roberts declined the role in order to appear in the satirical horror seriesScream Queens, but in an alternate reality she would have played Quinn in 2016’sSuicide Squad.
The reason Emma Roberts was offered the role is relatively obvious. Her list of credits includes many examples of characters who are simultaneously strong and vulnerable, and the complexity of Harley Quinn undoubtedly requires an actor with such a skillset. Roberts’ roles in such a broad range of genres will likely have contributed to her seeming such a good prospect, though she was clearly destined not to become the DCEU’s Harley.
(Source:TheThings)
5Ryan Gosling Almost Played The Joker
With roles in movies such asBarbieandThe Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling remains one of Hollywood’s most attractive prospects even decades into his career. Gosling’s longevity and his capacity to entertain comes second only to his characteristic charm, making him a major name to be attached to any movie. Gosling was reportedly eyed for the role of the Joker in 2016’sSuicide Squad– a role that eventually went to Jared Leto.
ThoughGosling ultimately didn’t want to play the Joker, he certainly could have brought something fresh to the iconic villain. Gosling’s talent for comedy as well as a knack for injecting physicality into his roles would undoubtedly have helped his Joker stand out as especially interesting, thoughSuicide Squad’s poor reception might have hurt his Hollywood status. In many ways, it’s far better for Gosling that he didn’t play the Joker inSuicide Squad, even though he likely would have been great as the villain.
4Matt Damon Was Considered For Nolan’s Two-Face
The Dark Knight (2008)
Matt Damon is a major Hollywood star, so the fact that he was once up for a major villain role in a comic book movie is hardly surprising. Though Damon’s collaborations with director Christopher Nolan have proved fruitful for the actor, they almost worked together much earlier, as Damon was considered for a role in Nolan’s 2008 movieThe Dark Knight. Matt Damon was reportedly considered for the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face in Nolan’s now iconic Batman movie.
Scheduling conflicts reportedly prevented Damon from accepting the role, though the actor has also been quoted as claiming Dent’s “relatively small” role as another reason for his passing on Nolan’s project.Damon’s skill as an actor and Dent’s importance toThe Dark Knight’s story would have been an excellent combination, though it ultimately wasn’t to be. Even so, Matt Damon’s Harvey Dent would have been something to behold had it actually come to pass.
3Adam Driver Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)
2015 marked Adam Driver’s rise to global prominence with his casting as Kylo Ren inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and 2016 almost saw him play one of the most iconic supervillains of all time. According to director Zack Snyder, he spoke with Driver about playing Lex Luthor inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. As Superman’s archnemesis, the role of Lex Luthor would have been a huge deal for Driver, as the exposure alone would have helped further boost his career in 2016.
Driver was not cast in the end, with the role eventually going to Jesse Eisenberg, whose take on Luthor was one ofBatman v Superman’s most divisive elements. It’s not hard to see that Driver might have been a better choice, ashis deep voice and commanding presence could have contributed to a far more imposing version of the villain.Even so, the DCEU’s short life span ultimately preventedBatman v Superman’s Luthor from appearing in a sequel, so Driver didn’t miss out on a huge franchise role in the end.
2Nicolas Cage Was Almost The Green Goblin
Spider-Man (2002)
Few actors have made their love of comic books as public as Nicolas Cage, so him being eyed for a major villain role in 2002’sSpider-Manis hardly shocking. Cage was at one point the frontrunner to play Norman Osborn in the movie, transforming into the Green Goblin over the course of its story. In fact, Cage’s casting was publicly advocated by Stan Lee himself, though the actor’s packed schedule was ultimately too much of an obstacle to overcome, and the role went to Willem Dafoe.
Dafoe’s Green Goblin went on to become iconic, but it’s easy to imagine what might have been.Cage’s ability to cycle between manic and more reserved performances would have contributed to an incredible take on the Green Goblin, and he would have fit perfectly within Sam Raimi’s movie. Regardless, Cage’s turn in a Marvel movie ultimately came about in 2007’sGhost Rider, although it proved far less successful than Raimi’sSpider-Man.
1Leonardo DiCaprio Was Considered For The DCEU’s Lex Luthor
As well as Adam Driver, Zack Snyder heavily considered Leonardo DiCaprio to play the DCEU’s Lex Luthor. DiCaprio has dismissed the notion of appearing in a comic book movie, so it’s obvious why he didn’t appear inBatman v Superman, but his hypothetical casting is a fascinating one. Compared to the movie’s frantic Luthor played by Eisenberg, DiCaprio’s villain potential becomes all too clear.
DiCaprio’s capacity as an actor would have afforded Luthor a depth that Eisenberg didn’t muster. Had the DCEU landed such a huge name to play the iconic villain, things might have even worked out differently for the franchise, as seeing DiCaprio appear alongside the likes of Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck would have been a huge box office draw. Ultimately, it wasn’t to be, but DiCaprio’s is perhaps the most fascinating almost casting in the history of theMCU, theDCU, and in the wider comic book genre.
