Long before Zack Snyder conceptualized the clash between DC superheroes, Wolfgang Petersen nearly brought forth a Batman v. Superman film featuring Christian Bale as Superman. The film, titled Batman Vs Superman: Asylum, was planned way back in the 2000s and several actors were considered for different roles. Interestingly, Colin Farrell was a frontrunner for the Batman role.
While it remains unclear whether Bale expressed interest in the offer, Warner Bros. ultimately canceled the project. The studio believed a solo movie would work better and decided to go ahead with J.J. Abrams’ Superman script instead.
Christian Bale Was Superman In Wolfgang Petersen’s OG Batman Vs Superman
The late Wolfgang Petersen came close to realizing Batman Vs Superman before Zack Snyder. Petersen developed the script with writer Akiva Goldsman. The film portrays a darker Batman who comes out of retirement to seek revenge against the Joker and Lex Luthor for killing his wife. Clark Kent, his close friend, finds himself at odds with Batman’s pursuit of revenge.
Fresh from the critical success of American Psycho, Christian Bale was approached for the role of Superman. In a later interview with MTV, Petersen revealed that he discussed the role with The Machinist actor. The Troy director also had another option in mind for Superman, Josh Hartnett. Interestingly, Hartnett had also been a contender for the role in The Dark Knight trilogy.
Bale eventually landed the role in Christopher Nolan‘s films, contributing to one of Hollywood’s most celebrated superhero movies. Before Batman Begins, Bale was also approached to star in Darren Aronofsky’s proposed project, Batman: Year One. The Ford v. Ferrari actor made the right call with Nolan’s films, reshaping the landscape of comic book movies.
While Petersen was so enthusiastic about casting Bale, it appears the Thor: Love and Thunder actor wasn’t interested in the role as much. Bale has never mentioned the potential Superman role in any interviews.
Colin Farrell Was Considered For The Batman Role
While Colin Farrell played Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin opposite Robert Pattinson’s Batman in The Batman, he was earlier set to play the caped crusader in Batman Vs Superman: Asylum. Screenwriter Akiva Goldman revealed Farrell’s name along with another contender for Superman, Jude Law, in an interview with Collider. Interestingly, Law also auditioned for the canceled Superman: Flyby.
Although the prospects for the film seemed promising, Warner Bros. felt that J.J. Abrams’ script for Superman: Flyby would work better than an ensemble film at that stage. In his MTV interview, Wolfgang Petersen shared:
“It was pretty close. And then the studio got a single Superman script I think from J.J. Abrams at that time, and [Warner Bros. chief] Alan Horn was so torn – because it’s such a fascinating concept to do a Batman versus Superman film. And I still think it would be to do that. But the studio decided to try separate version of Superman and Batman, and then maybe think about down the road if you want to bring them together in one film.”
Despite the heartbreak over the cancellation of Batman Vs Superman, Petersen was a fan of Christopher Nolan’s take on Batman. He even believed that The Dark Knight deserved an Academy Award for Best Picture. Zack Snyder’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is now available for streaming on Max.
