Pierce Brosnan is famously known for his portrayal of James Bond, a character that exudes suave sophistication. However, not many are aware of a forgotten chapter in his career. Brosnan was once close to becoming the iconic Batman, but this opportunity slipped away due to his choice.
This was when superhero movies were unpopular, and spandex-wearing heroes were not taken seriously. Pierce Brosnan’s critique of superhero fashion ultimately led to the rejection of a $411 million opportunity, and thus, his chance to be remembered as Batman in cinematic history was lost.
Batman: From Campy to Cinematic
During the early days of Hollywood’s exploration of superhero movies, it was difficult to translate the vividness of comic book pages into live-action films. Superheroes in spandex outfits had difficulty fitting into the real world of cinema.
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Pierce Brosnan, famous for his portrayal of the charming secret agent 007, was at a turning point where superheroes were not yet the respected icons they are today. Looking back at Adam West’s Batman, it’s clear that the show reflected a different time and style.
The TV series from the 1960s featured a Batman who wore a gray shirt, a bright blue cape, gloves, and even those unmistakable wrinkled satin underpants. The idea of Pierce Brosnan playing the Dark Knight in Gotham seemed too surreal to imagine in a world where superhero costumes were more about showmanship than realism.
On his Reddit AMA, Pierce Brosnan shared a story about a missed opportunity that could have changed his legacy. The actor met with Tim Burton, the director of the 1989 Batman film, who offered him the Caped Crusader role.
However, Brosnan turned down the opportunity because he didn’t think the superhero costume’s unconventional design suited the role’s seriousness.
“I went and met with Tim Burton for the role of Batman. But I just couldn’t really take it seriously, any man who wears his underpants outside his pants just cannot be taken seriously. That was my foolish take on it. It was a joke, I thought. But how wrong was I? Don’t get me wrong, because I love Batman, and I grew up on Batman. As a kid in Ireland, we used to get our raincoats and tie them round our neck and swing through the bicycle shed.”
Pierce Brosnan’s joke about wearing underpants outside of trousers highlights the interesting contradiction within superhero costumes. The evolution of superhero fashion, from colorful comic book pages to elaborate movie designs, reflects the changes in the genre itself.
Pierce Brosnan Fit Right In DCEU
As superhero movies moved away from the exaggerated and humorous depictions of the past and towards more sophisticated storytelling, the perception of these iconic costumes shifted from being a source of ridicule to a symbol of strength.
It’s ironic how Brosnan, who once had a dismissive attitude towards superheroes, ended up finding redemption by playing Doctor Fate in the DC film Black Adam. This unexpected turn of events seems like it’s straight out of a comic book.
Despite his previous attitude, Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of the character allowed him to appreciate the depth and complexity of superhero storytelling that has evolved over the years in the film industry.
Source: Reddit
