Batman, directed by Tim Burton, brought a new wave to the Batman fanbase. The 1989 movie, directed by Burton, starred Michael Keaton in the lead, with Kim Basinger portraying the role of Vicki Vale, and Jack Nicholson was seen as the Joker.
But before Nicholson was selected for the part, the role was offered to John Lithgow. The 77-year-old actor reportedly rejected the role by giving a terrible audition. During an interview, the Footloose actor recalled how he purposely ruined his audition for Batman.
John Lithgow describes his audition for Batman as the worst audition
Director Tim Burton’s first choice to play the role of the Joker in the movie Batman was John Lithgow. The Perry Mason actor recalled during an interview that he had no idea that the movie was a big deal. While talking about playing Joker in Burton’s movie, Lithgow said,
“My worst audition was for Tim Burton for Batman. I have never told anyone this story, but I tried to persuade him I was not right for the part, and I succeeded. I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. About a week later I heard they were going after Robin Williams and Jack Nicholson.”
He further added,
“I was doing ‘M. Butterfly’ on Broadway and it was an exhausting show. It would have meant leaving that show and going right into a movie, and I said, ‘I just don’t think I can’. How about that for stupid? Actors are not necessarily smart people.”
The 77-year-old actor stated that he regrets rejecting the role and he also mentioned that he couldn’t make a wiser decision at that time when Batman was offered to him.
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John Lithgow graduated from Harvard University in 1967
Even though the Leap Year actor turned down the Batman project he has still managed to build a very strong acting career. Lithgow graduated from Harvard University in 1967. During an interview when the actor was asked when he was the happiest, in response to this question the actor said,
“In my college days at Harvard, when I was first acting and directing. It was the most creatively free I’ve ever felt.
In the same interview, the Dexter actor also mentioned that he has also worked as a cab driver and said it was his worst job. People are loving the Pitch Perfect 3 actor as Harold Harper in the thriller series, The Old Man. Recently, the actor was again asked about what makes him happy as an actor. Responding to this question, Lithgow said,
“What I’ve enjoyed so much about this nutty career of mine is the variety. At the moment, I’m best known for The Old Man. A couple of years ago I was best known for Winston Churchill. Before that, the ‘Trinity Killer.’ Before that, 3rd Rock. When you score like that, it completely takes people by surprise. It upends their expectations.”
The Harvard graduate explained that he loves to do the role that people wouldn’t expect him to do. There are myriads of characters that have shaped Lithgow’s acting career and he is still looking out for more challenging ones.
Source: EW; The Guardian; GoldDerby
