Landing roles in big superhero films has proven to change the career trajectory of several actors. While they might not have been able to bag it, these 15 actors almost became a part of the DCEU
1. SEAN PENN – Superman’s Dad
When the auditions were held, Sean Penn, Clive Owen, and Russell Crowe made it to the last round for the part of Superman’s father. Russell Crowe ended up being the final pick.
2. RYAN GOSLING – Batman
Back in 2018, Gosling’s name was most rumored to play the Dark Knight in the Joker 2. Gosling however said: “I don’t think anybody wants that.”
3. RON PERLMAN – Swamp Thing
Ron Perlman was in talks to play Swamp Thing in Justice League Dark. He however dismissed it as “urban myth Internet noise.” According to sources, WB didn’t offer him a good paycheck.
4. ROBIN WILLIAMS – Riddler
Robin Williams was desperate to get cast in Nolan’s Batman trilogy. “Chris, call me, I’ll do anything. I could be a great character or some weird little man in the background in Arkham Asylum.”
5. OPRAH WINFREY – Amanda Waller
Warner Brothers had picked Oprah Winfrey for the role of ‘the director of deadly government assignments’. The role later went to Viola Davis.
6. OLGA KURYLENKO – Wonder Woman
Olga even did the screen-test for the Amazon princess where she wore a bathing suit and leather boots.
7. NICOLE KIDMAN – Queen Hippolyta
Nicole Kidman had signed a tentative deal with WB but she lost the role due to scheduling conflicts.
8. MATT BOMER – Superman
Bomer revealed on a podcast that he was all prepped to get in the boots of Man of Steel for JJ Abrams back in 2002. Amy Adams was cast to play Lois Lane which she eventually played 10 years later.
9. ADAM DRIVER – Lex Luthor
With the Jokerverse becoming a thing, this one still has possibilities of happening. Adam Driver is on the shortlist to play Superman’s arch-enemy.
10. JON HAMM – Batman
Hamm showed a very genuine interest in becoming the caped crusader. “I’m a huge comic book fan, I have read comic books since I was nine or younger. And I am pretty knowledgeable about a lot of them. And I like the genre, and I like when they are done well.”
11. JESSE EISENBERG – Jimmy Olsen
Zack Snyder had planned to make Jimmy Olsen more sinister but kill him off in a few minutes. Things changed when Snyder met Eisenberg and gave him the role of Lex Luthor instead.
12. EMMA ROBERTS – Harley Quinn
Emma Roberts was reportedly offered to play the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel but she turned it down to star in the TV series Scream Queens.
13. COLIN FERRELL – Constantine
Justice League Dark has been in Development Hell for ages now. Colin Farrell was rumored to play Constantine in the film.
14. ALEC BALDWIN – Thomas Wayne
Baldwin was cast as Batman’s father in Joker but he canceled out due to scheduling issues.
15. JOHN CENA – Shazam
Before he actually joined the DCEU as Peacemaker, John Cena was in talks to play Shazam. The picture of his photoshopped face on Shazam’s body became pretty viral.
Follow us for more updates on entertainment and celebrities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd
