Hollywood thrives on “what ifs,” and few roles inspire that more than Batman. The Dark Knight has been a career-defining part, transforming actors into icons—or, in some cases, leaving them forever haunted by what might have been. From Gotham’s streets to unexpected movie franchises, we’re counting down the 10 wildest almost-castings in cinematic history—Batman first, but with some surprising curveballs along the way.
10. Bill Murray as Batman (Ivan Reitman’s Version)
Imagine Ghostbusters’ Bill Murray trading his proton pack for a Batarang. It nearly came to be in an abandoned Reitman film, but the movie floundered when Murphy turned down a sidekick part. Murray quipped he’d look like “one of Santa’s elves” in Robin’s costume, saving Gotham from a comic Caped Crusader—but what a Gotham it would have been.
9. Johnny Depp as Batman (Batman v Superman)
Before Ben Affleck got to wear the cowl, there was a time when Johnny Depp was talked about for a dark, brooding Batman under Wolfgang Petersen. The film never came about, but picturing Depp brooding down Gotham’s streets—perhaps fueled with pirate-level bravado—makes for an entertaining alternate reality.
8. Willem Dafoe as Batman (Tim Burton’s Batman)
Willem Dafoe, who frightened fans as the Green Goblin, was actually on the shortlist for Batman. The idea of Dafoe’s manic, barely-contained intensity behind the cowl is enough to make comic enthusiasts lie awake nights. Gotham would have been forever changed.
7. Josh Hutcherson as Kevin McCallister (Home Alone)
Not a superhero, but certainly a wacky casting choice. Hutcherson almost got Kevin in Home Alone 3. He has since referred to it as his initial experience of true rejection, being defeated by Alex D. Linz. Peeta foiling burglars, rather than fomenting rebellion—holiday bedlam would’ve been quite different.
6. Dougray Scott as Wolverine (X-Men)
Before Hugh Jackman became the face of Wolverine, Dougray Scott was going to tear his way through the franchise. Destiny (and Jackman’s subsequent casting) altered the future of mutants—and Scott can at least claim to have nearly played a comic book legend.
5. Armie Hammer as Batman (Justice League: Mortal)
Hammer even got to play Batman for George Miller’s aborted Justice League: Mortal. The Writers Guild strike murdered the film, leaving behind only a few pictures and fan rumors. Somewhere, in another reality, Hammer pines on Gotham rooftops.
4. Joaquin Phoenix as Batman (Batman: Year One)
Before he became Joker, Phoenix was Darren Aronofsky’s choice to play a dark Batman: Year One. The film never materialized, but it’s fascinating to imagine Phoenix’s signature intensity under the cowl rather than opposite it.
3. Heath Ledger as Batman (Batman Begins)
Ledger met with Christopher Nolan for Batman before famously transforming into Joker. He declined, citing a disinterest in superhero films—but the discussions underscore how close he came to donning the cowl. Gotham ultimately gained a legendary villain, but imagine a world with Ledger as the Dark Knight.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal as Batman (Batman Begins)
Gyllenhaal auditioned for Batman in Nolan’s trilogy and was seriously in the running. Christian Bale played it in the end, but fans have long wondered how Gyllenhaal’s dark intensity would have altered the trilogy’s dynamic—particularly with his sister Maggie as Rachel Dawes.
1. Pierce Brosnan as Batman (Tim Burton’s Batman)
Before becoming Bond, Brosnan tried out for Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman. He even joked about the iconic superhero getup. Though Michael Keaton took the part, envisioning Brosnan beneath the cowl—suave, dashing, and somewhat perplexed—is one of the more tantalizing “what ifs” in cinema.
From Murray’s humor to Phoenix’s darkness, these near-miss castings serve as a reminder that one decision can remake pop culture. The Batcave may appear familiar today, but in another reality, Gotham’s past—and our cinematic memories—would be dramatically changed.