9 Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Almost Played Batman

9) David Boreanaz

Joss Whedon fans will primarily know David Boreanaz for his long-running role as dark avenger Angel in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and his own spin-off show, Angel. There are many similarities between Angel and Batman – both have a dark past and a penchant for standing on rooftops and wearing black clothing. With that in mind, it makes a lot of sense that Boreanaz’ name was apparently right at the top of list when Warner Bros. were looking for their new Caped Crusader in Batman Begins.

There is a common rumour among fans that Boreanaz actually turned the part down for unknown reasons, perhaps due to not wanting to be typecast in the same kind of role. Recently, however, Boreanaz said that he never turned down the part and he thinks it was just a tall tale spread by his manager. But then would you really admit that you turned down Batman?

8) Cillian Murphy

Irish actor Cillian (pronounced with a hard C) Murphy found probably his most famous role in Jonathan Crane AKA Scarecrow in Batman Begins. So terrific was his performance that he reappeared for cameo parts in both The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, as well, and worked with Christopher Nolan again in Inception.

At first, though, he lobbied for the lead role of Batman. For his audition, he wore Val Kilmer’s old suit from Batman Forever and acted opposite future Lois Lane Amy Adams. Though Nolan didn’t think Murphy was the right fit for the Dark Knight, he was blown away by the actor’s screen presence and successfully campaigned for him to be cast as Scarecrow instead.