Being a superhero is probably a dream role for a lot of actors. After all, with huge universes like Marvel and DC, landing a part in one of their movies or shows can seriously boost an actor’s career. In other words, it’s kind of like hitting the jackpot.
But not everyone is on the same page. Take Josh Hartnett, for example. He’s so set on his stance that he actually turned down one of DC’s biggest roles — not once, but twice.
Josh Hartnett Could Have Been Superman
A successful actor in the 2000s, Josh Hartnett starred in films like Pearl Harbor, Lucky Number Slevin, and 30 Days of Night. However, he decided to take a break from acting for a while. Recently, he’s been busy with new projects, including the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, season three of The Bear, and Trap.
However, during this 18-month period, he was offered a chance to try something a bit different. In an interview with The Guardian, the actor revealed that he was even approached to play Superman, but turned down the role without a second thought.
Though he didn’t go into details, it’s likely he was considered for a role in Man of Steel. As a result of his decision, Henry Cavill took on the part. There were also rumors at the time about another offer to play Batman, but Hartnett has denied those claims (via Men’s Health).
It’s intriguing to know that Hartnett received not just one, but two offers from DC. Given the substantial interest from the studio, the big question is: why did he refuse to join a project that many actors would eagerly pursue?
Why Did Josh Hartnett Turn Down The Iconic DC Role?
It wasn’t just once that Hartnett was asked about his decision, which makes sense given how surprising his refusal might seem to many. However, he had valid reasons for turning down the role.
According to Hartnett, the main reason was due to stalkers. At the age of 27, being in the spotlight brought attention that he described as “borderline unhealthy”.
There were incidents. People showed up at my house. People that were stalking me. A guy showed up at one of my premieres with a gun, claiming to be my father. He ended up in prison. There were lots of things. It was a weird time. And I wasn’t going to be grist for the mill.
I just didn’t want my life to be swallowed up by my work, and there was a notion at that time you just kind of give it all up. And you saw what happened to some people back then. They got obliterated by it. I didn’t want that for myself.
This career break was largely influenced by these issues, leading him to turn down the DC role as a result. He knew that becoming the new Superman would thrust him back into the spotlight, and at an even higher level than before.
Another reason is his personal perspective. The downside — though it might not always be seen as such — of joining a franchise is that the actor becomes tied down and dependent on multiple studio projects.
In a recent interview with Screen Rant to promote his new film Trap, Hartnett was asked what he looks for in the characters he wants to play. His answer was spot on:
I always want to look for something that kind of changes people’s of what they think I am, or what they think I can do. I want to surprise people. It’s fun as an actor to play all sorts of different roles. I don’t understand actors who just want to do one thing all the time. I always want to do something completely different from what I’ve just done.
He definitely wasn’t exaggerating. His diverse work history showcases a wide range of characters that are completely different from each other. While turning down a role like Superman might still seem surprising, there’s no denying he has a valid point. Plus, Cavill certainly made the role his own.
