Josh Hartnett, an American actor, has made a name for himself through performances in movies such as Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, and Lucky Number Slevin. Rising to prominence in the late ’90s and early 2000s, he became a film heartthrob, admired for his versatile acting, and gathered a devoted fan base.
Josh Hartnett, the actor, revealed the reasons behind his retreat from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, even after being tempted by the opportunity to don the iconic Superman cape.
Josh Harnett Was Considered For Playing Superman
In a candid revelation, actor Josh Hartnett has disclosed the motivations behind his hiatus from the dazzling world of Hollywood, despite the enticing offer to step into the iconic Superman costume.
Nevertheless, following the 2001 release of Pearl Harbor, Hartnett gradually shifted his focus towards independent ventures, dedicating the past decade to endeavors beyond the conventional Hollywood sphere.
Harnett told EW:
” The decision was a struggle. But I just never really wanted to play Superman. ‘It’s probably the biggest [-budgeted movie] ever’ — and because it was planned as a trilogy — it was three films [over] 10 years or something like that. It was a bigger commitment than I was willing to make.”
Hartnett’s concerns were quite reasonable – the character holds iconic status, committing to three films is confining, and the potential impact on one’s career remains uncertain.
Brett Ratner discussed the challenge of casting a significant role in the movie, emphasizing the need for an actor capable of portraying two distinct characters. He mentioned the extended commitment required and the selective approach to offer the role to only one individual. The evaluation process is ongoing to ensure the right fit for the part.
Josh Harnett Said No To Another Superhero Film
When Josh Hartnett was presented with the chance to assume the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s iconic trilogy, he ultimately declined. In hindsight, he came to realize that this decision might have been one of the most significant career missteps he ever made.
Although his decision to decline a role in Batman Begins in 2005 was primarily motivated by his desire to prioritize family time, Josh Hartnett would later regret the impact it had on his relationship with the esteemed director Christopher Nolan. His choice, he realized, had far-reaching consequences.
One year later, when Hartnett expressed interest in joining The Prestige, a film that later earned two Academy Award nominations, he was met with a resolute rejection from Christopher Nolan. Reflecting on his past choices, Hartnett realized that Nolan had opted for Christian Bale over him for the role he had considered. Moreover, Nolan cast his then-girlfriend, Scarlett Johansson, for the film.
Superman Returns is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Source: EW
