10 Actors Who Almost Played Comic Book Movie Villains

10 Actors Who Almost Played Comic Book Movie Villains

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Summary

  • Mads Mikkelsen almost played Malekith in Thor: The Dark World; he later went on to play a villain in another MCU movie.
  • Robin Williams was almost cast as both The Joker and The Riddler in Batman movies that pre-dated the DCEU.
  • Josh Hartnett was considered for Loki in Thor, before Tom Hiddleston ultimately got the role.

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In an alternate reality, the comic book movies of the MCU, the DCU, and beyond would have featured some very different faces as their villains. Some consider the movies of the MCU to 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 the movie 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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10 Mads Mikkelsen Almost Played Malekith

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

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The MCU’s movie timeline has seen many well-respected actors appear in villainous roles, and Mads Mikkelsen almost appeared much earlier. Though he went on to play Kaecilius in Doctor Strange, Mikkelsen was reportedly once up for the role of Malekith in Thor: 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 play The 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 in Doctor Strange. Roles as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale and Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal proved 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)

Thor- The Dark World Poster

Thor: The Dark World
PG-13

Director Alan Taylor Release Date November 8, 2013 Runtime 1h 52m

9 Robin Williams Almost Played Both The Joker & The Riddler

Batman (1989), Batman Forever (1995)

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Perhaps the most famous near-casting in comic book movie history came during the development of Tim Burton’s 1989 movie Batman, 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 movie Batman Forever. Ultimately, Williams lost out again, with the role going to Jim Carrey, although not being a part of Schumacher’s ill-fated Batman movies was ultimately a blessing in disguise. Even so, Robin Williams would have put an interesting stamp on either of the iconic villains had he actually been cast in one of the two Batman movies.

(Source: Collider)

8 Josh Hartnett Was Considered For Loki

Thor (2011)

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Long before Loki’s self-titled series asserted him as one of the franchise’s most popular characters, he was a relatively unknown villain when Marvel sought to cast him for 2011’s Thor. Among the many actors in talks to play Loki in the MCU was Josh Hartnett, who would likely have provided a very different spin on Marvel’s God of Mischief. Hartnett was reportedly on director Kenneth Branagh’s shortlist for 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.

Thor
PG-13

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Director Kenneth Branagh Release Date May 6, 2011 Runtime 115 minutes

7 Matthew McConaughey Was Almost The MCU’s Ego

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

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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 in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is asserted to have been the movie’s villain, Ego.

Had McConaughey 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.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
PG-13

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Director James Gunn Release Date April 19, 2017 Runtime 137 minutes

6 Emma Roberts Turned Down Playing Harley Quinn

Suicide Squad (2016)

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Margot Robbie’s turn as Harley Quinn is widely considered one of the best castings in all of the movies 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 series Scream Queens, but in an alternate reality she would have played Quinn in 2016’s Suicide 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)

Suicide Squad
PG-13

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Director David Ayer Release Date August 5, 2016 Runtime 123 minutes

5 Ryan Gosling Almost Played The Joker

Suicide Squad (2016)

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With roles in movies such as Barbie and The 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’s Suicide Squad – a role that eventually went to Jared Leto.

Though Gosling 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, though Suicide 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 in Suicide Squad, even though he likely would have been great as the villain.

4 Matt Damon Was Considered For Nolan’s Two-Face

The Dark Knight (2008)

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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 movie The 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 to The 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.

(Source: Collider)

The Dark Knight
PG-13

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Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 18, 2008 Runtime 152 Minutes

3 Adam Driver Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

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2015 marked Adam Driver’s rise to global prominence with his casting as Kylo Ren in Star 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 in Batman 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 of Batman v Superman’s most divisive elements. It’s not hard to see that Driver might have been a better choice, as his 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 prevented Batman v Superman’s Luthor from appearing in a sequel, so Driver didn’t miss out on a huge franchise role in the end.

(Source: Variety)

Batman vs Superman Poster

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
PG-13

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Director Zack Snyder Release Date March 24, 2016 Runtime 152 minutes

2 Nicolas Cage Was Almost The Green Goblin

Spider-Man (2002)

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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’s Spider-Man is 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’s Ghost Rider, although it proved far less successful than Raimi’s Spider-Man.

(Source: Entertainment Weekly)

Spider-Man 2002 Poster

Spider-Man (2002)
PG-13

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Director Sam Raimi Release Date May 3, 2002 Runtime 121 Minutes

1 Leonardo DiCaprio Was Considered For The DCEU’s Lex Luthor

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

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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 in Batman 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 the MCU, the DCU, and in the wider comic book genre.

(Source: Variety)

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