Key Takeaways:
– Mel Gibson was initially offered the Batman role in Tim Burton’s 1989 film before Michael Keaton.
– Gibson turned the role down three times; had he accepted, it could have negatively impacted Keaton’s career trajectory.
– Another notable actor, Pierce Brosnan, also rejected the Batman role despite being a fan of the character.
Mel Gibson: The Batman that Almost Was
Did you know that one of Hollywood’s most cherished actors, Mel Gibson, once turned down a blockbuster role? That’s right! We all know Gibson for his splendid performances in various flicks, but one of his career paths could have led him into the DC Universe!
During the preliminary planning for Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film, several A-list actors were considered for the central role. Among them was none other than Mel Gibson. But life had a different plan, and Michael Keaton eventually put on the iconic bat-suit, securing his place as one of the industry’s most acclaimed actors.
Why Did Mel Gibson Turn Down Batman Role?
In a conversation with We Got This Covered, Mel Gibson opened up about this almost-miss in his illustrious career. Gibson revealed that he was offered the Batman role not once, but thrice! However, he rejected each offer. While he didn’t state an exact reason for this decision, he made it clear that superhero genre really was not his thing.
Had Gibson accepted and debuted in Burton’s remarkable film, which grossed a whopping $411 million, Michael Keaton’s career trajectory could have been completely different. Instead, Keaton, initially met with skepticism and fan hate, went on to redefine Batman’s perception and garnered high praise for his portrayal of the complex character.
Michael Keaton vs. The Initial Hate Wave
The casting choice of Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1989 movie was initially met with disdain from fans. However, Keaton’s performance in the film soon silenced the naysayers. Against all odds, he proved himself as an actor deserving of the role. His performance was so iconic that he reprised his role in the DCEU movie, The Flash. He turned the tide so masterfully that he still remains one of the most adored interpretations of Batman.
Pierce Brosnan and the Role of Batman
Interestingly, Keaton was not the only alternative to Gibson, as another star almost donned the Batman costume. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, Pierce Brosnan, the Bond star, admitted that he was offered the Batman role in Burton’s film. Despite being a fan of the character, he too rejected the role, citing he couldn’t take a character wearing underpants over his pants seriously.
Brosnan’s decision, combined with Gibson’s dismissal, eventually made way for Keaton to shine in the role. Keaton faced initial hate, but he demonstrated his outstanding talent, showing that he’s definitely a force to reckon with!
All said and done, it all worked out in the end for Keaton, who left an everlasting mark as Batman, paving the way for future actors to pick up his mantle. And for us fans, we can enjoy the legendary performance in Batman, available on Amazon Prime.
Indeed, history has a peculiar way of shaping things! Mel Gibson could’ve been Batman, but fate had a different plan. Keaton donned the bat-suit, revolutionizing Batman’s portrayal, and our dear Bond, Brosnan, dodged the underpants-over-pants get-up, continuing his successful career run. No matter how much we speculate ‘what could have been,’ we undoubtedly got ourselves a legendary Batman. The bat-suit definitely found its perfect model in Michael Keaton.
