10 Actors Who Almost Played Robin DC’s ‘Batman Forever’

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As I delve into the captivating lives of these aspiring actors who dared to dream big and take on the role of Robin in Batman Forever, it is truly astounding to witness the resilience and determination that each one possessed. From Michael Worth, a child prodigy who directed his first movie at 11, to Ewan McGregor, who rose to fame with roles in iconic franchises like Star Wars, their stories are nothing short of inspiring.

In 1995, Joel Schumacher directed the blockbuster film “Batman Forever,” which showcased the acting prowess of Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, with Val Kilmer donning the cape as the iconic vigilante, and Chris O’Donnell stepping into the role of his loyal partner Robin. Later, in a less successful venture, O’Donnell reprised his character in “Batman & Robin.” Unfortunately, this sequel became infamous for its poor critical reception and box office failure, effectively ending any prospects for an individual spin-off for O’Donnell and nearly crippling the Batman franchise.

Initially, Marlon Wayans was chosen to play Dick Grayson, a former circus acrobat whose parents and sibling were cruelly killed by Two-Face. Later, he transforms into Robin, Batman’s wealthy ally in crime-fighting, in the movie “Batman Forever”. However, after Tim Burton stepped down from directing, the role of Robin was reopened for auditions, attracting many promising young actors eager to secure this iconic part.

10
Marlon Wayans

Born into a well-known entertainment family, Marlon Wayans initially made his debut in the television sitcom “The Wayans Bros.” alongside his brother Shawn. The show, which ran for five seasons, provided a platform for the comedic actor and contributed to his growing fame. Before this, he had already performed on stage with his gifted siblings in the groundbreaking sketch series “In Living Color,” a few years earlier. Later, he transitioned towards film work, starring in notable movies such as “Scary Movie,” “Scary Movie 2,” “Requiem for a Dream,” and “White Chicks.

Change in Directors Leads to Wayans Being Recast

In 1992, the role of Robin in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” was initially offered to Wayans. However, producers decided against including the iconic sidekick due to a surplus of characters already present in the film. Three years later, Wayans officially agreed to play Robin and share screen time with Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face. Unfortunately, Burton left the project and was replaced by Joel Schumacher, resulting in new actors being cast for both roles: Chris O’Donnell took over as Robin, while Tommy Lee Jones stepped into the Two-Face role that was initially meant for Wayans. In an interview with the A.V. Club in 1998, Wayans shared his thoughts on this experience.

As a fortunate soul, I had a brief stint standing in for Robin. In reality, I was Robin, at least until the paycheck arrived. Then, they opted for someone else. I just chuckled and said, “As long as this cash flows smoothly, everything’s good!

9
Leonardo DiCaprio

In the 1990s, future Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio was gradually dominating Hollywood after his extraordinary performance as Johnny Depp’s handicapped brother Arnie in the 1993 drama “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” catapulted him to stardom. This exceptional portrayal earned him both an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination, and unsurprisingly, director of “Batman Forever,” Joel Schumacher, took notice and actively sought DiCaprio for the role of Robin.

“Leo-mania” Runs Wild in the ’90s

After only having a single meeting with Schumacher, Leonardo DiCaprio opted not to pursue the role, a decision that didn’t affect his career in any significant way. Just a few years later, Leo-mania would reach its peak, as DiCaprio became known for his roles in the tragic love stories “Romeo + Juliet” and “Titanic.” These films skyrocketed him to global fame, solidifying his status as one of cinema’s most desired leading men. In 2015, DiCaprio shared with Shortlist that he had declined a role earlier in his career.

I didn’t undergo a screen test. Instead, I had a single meeting with Joel Schumacher, an exceptionally skilled director. However, despite taking the meeting, I chose not to accept the role because at that time, I wasn’t prepared for such a project.

8
Corey Haim

In the ’80s, Corey Haim, a beloved teen idol, graced numerous silver screens with captivating performances in movies such as Silver Bullet, Murphy’s Romance, Lucas, and The Lost Boys. He shared the limelight with his friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman, earning them the moniker ‘The Two Coreys’ in the entertainment world. However, by the following decade, Haim faced challenges maintaining his career and battling substance abuse issues, which led him to pursue the iconic role of Robin as a means of turning things around.

Haim’s Hollywood Heartbreak

Previously, Joel Schumacher was the director of the well-known vampire film The Lost Boys, where Haim faced an unsuccessful audition for the role of Dick Grayson, also known as Robin. Despite this setback, Haim encountered challenges in his personal and professional life, appearing in numerous straight-to-video films and teaming up with Feldman on the 2007 reality series The Two Coreys. Sadly, the icon of the ’80s passed away on March 10, 2010 at the age of 38 from pneumonia.

7
Matt Damon

Prior to his collaboration with his childhood friend Ben Affleck in winning Oscars, Matt Damon was persistently striving for recognition and had featured in several movies such as Mystic Pizza, Geronimo: An American Legend, and School Ties. He worked alongside Affleck and future Hollywood stars Brendan Fraser and Chris O’Donnell in School Ties. It wasn’t until a few years later that Damon would establish himself as one of the film industry’s most versatile and gifted leading men.

Damon’s Dazzling Cinema Ascent

Similar to numerous contemporaries during that era, Damon was eagerly chasing his major opportunity and attempted to secure the role of Robin. However, this part ultimately went to his co-star from “School Ties,” O’Donnell. Undeterred by this setback, in merely two years, Damon found success with the critically acclaimed drama “Good Will Hunting.” This film not only brought him an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Screenplay, but also Affleck. Throughout his illustrious career, Damon continued to deliver remarkable performances in blockbusters such as “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Departed,” and the “Bourne” series, among others.

6
Danny Dyer

English actor and television host Danny Dyer is most famously recognized from his performances in sports films such as “Mean Machine” and “The Football Factory”, and his long-standing role as Mick Carter in the British soap opera “EastEnders”. He played this character for almost a decade and appeared in an astounding 1,145 episodes. In 1995, he made brief appearances on shows like “Prime Suspect”, “The Bill”, and “Cadfael”, but it was the breakthrough role he yearned for to make a lasting impact in entertainment.

Dyer’s Future Acting Success

Dyer was among numerous aspiring actors trying to play Robin alongside Val Kilmer’s Batman, but fate had other plans for the project, and his rise to fame would occur differently. Instead, it was in the movie “Human Traffic,” a cult classic dramedy released in 1999, that catapulted Dyer into prominence, shaping him as a tough guy and rebellious figure in cinema. Later on, he acted in films like “Adulthood,” “Dead Man Running,” and “Vendetta,” hosted the game show “The Wall,” and his latest screen appearances include the black comedy series “Rivals.” In an interview with Digital Spy in 2012, Dyer reminisced about missing out on the Robin role.

I tried out for the role of Robin in ‘Batman & Robin’, directed by Joel Schumacher. It’s peculiar, though, because for every part I secure, I miss out on around twenty others – rejection is something I get accustomed to fairly quickly. However, it doesn’t make it any less intriguing; I always want to understand why I didn’t get the role, and learn more about the details.

5
Scott Speedman

Scott Speedman captivated audiences worldwide with his heart-melting performance as Ben Covington in the popular ’90s series “Felicity,” where he starred alongside Keri Russell for all four seasons. At that time, Speedman was an unrecognized actor and model who hadn’t made his acting debut on either TV or film. He had honed his skills at both the University of Toronto and York University. Impulsively, Speedman decided to give auditions a shot for the well-known sidekick role.

Speedman’s Audition Leads to Crucial Exposure

In 2017, Speedman himself described the audition as “hilarious” when speaking with Men’s Journal. He added that it was a typical scenario involving over 100 actors competing and doing an improv scene with Mali Flynn, a well-respected casting director. Although he didn’t get the part, this audition proved beneficial for Speedman as he gained significant exposure. Soon after, he secured an agent from the reading which opened doors to major TV and film projects such as roles in “Felicity,” the “Underworld” franchise, “The Strangers,” “The Vow,” “Animal Kingdom,” and “Teacup.

4
Mark Wahlberg

In an attempt to leave behind his “Marky Mark” rap persona and prove himself as a credible actor, Mark Wahlberg saw the role of Robin in Batman Forever as his opportunity to gain a foothold in Hollywood. At that time, he had only acted in Penny Marshall’s 1994 comedy film Renaissance Man, alongside Danny DeVito and James Remar, and one episode of The Ben Stiller Show. Seizing the chance, Wahlberg decided to try out for the superhero movie.

Wahlberg Has Zero Regrets

Mark Wahlberg had several conversations with Schumacher about the project, yet he never received a formal offer. Despite this, the Academy-honored actor appears to have no regrets about not playing Dick Grayson and in 2024, he shared that he’d never even tried on the suit before stating, “I’m relieved I didn’t get that call.” Nonetheless, Wahlberg carved his own path in cinema, delivering stellar performances in films such as Boogie Nights, The Departed, The Fighter, and Ted.

3
Toby Stephens

Toby Stephens is a highly accomplished British actor who has built an impressive portfolio spanning film and television over the span of more than three decades. After completing his training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he graced numerous stage productions during the ’90s, including plays like “Antony and Cleopatra,” “All’s Well That Ends Well,” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Much like other esteemed actors on this list, Stephens nurtured a desire to shine brightly in the world of cinema.

A Talented Stage & Screen Star

Although Stephen didn’t get the role in Batman Forever, he soon achieved significant success. He starred as the sinister Bond villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day (2002), earning a nomination for a Saturn Award. Some of his other notable film roles are The Machine, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, and The Journey. He also mesmerized viewers with his portrayals as James McGraw/Flint in Black Sails, John Robinson in Lost in Space, and Poseidon in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

2
Ewan McGregor

Beyond doubt, another renowned actor from Hollywood who aspired to embody the legendary character was the esteemed Golden Globe recipient, Ewan McGregor. Known for his breakthrough role in the 1993 British serial “Lipstick on Your Collar” and the drama series “Scarlet and Black,” where he appeared alongside Rachel Weisz, McGregor also honed his craft as an actor while pursuing a degree in drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Furthermore, McGregor made his cinematic debut when he played opposite Robin Williams and John Turturro in the 1994 dramedy “Being Human.

McGregor’s Bounces Back with Star Wars

McGregor was on the ever-growing list of aspiring actors hoping to work with Schumacher and Kilmer, and despite not being chosen he did go on to join another legendary franchise: Star Wars. He brilliantly portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005. He continued demonstrating his sensational range as in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! in addition to Black Hawk Down, The Ghost Writer, Big Fish, and Doctor Sleep, while also appearing in Fargo, Halston, and the Disney+ original series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

1
Michael Worth

Remarkable artist in the realms of acting, directing, and writing, Michael Worth, developed an early passion for filmmaking. At the tender age of 11, he used his allowance to purchase a super 8mm camera, directing his first production, The Tire, on that very same day. Following his relocation to Los Angeles in pursuit of his dreams, Worth lived in his truck for six months alongside his canine companion before securing his debut leading role in the 1992 action movie Final Impact. In addition, he started training martial arts under George Lazenby, a move that would significantly boost his acting career.

Worth’s Batman Forever Cameo

After auditioning for Batman Forever, Worth ended up being one of the front-runners for the character of Robin but Chris O’Donnell was selected, yet he was still able to make an appearance in the big budget extravaganza; Worth had a cameo alongside O’Donnell in one of the exciting fight scenes featured in the superhero film. He would go on to direct and act in movies including Dual, Broken Memories, and The Butterfly Guard, and had supporting roles in shows like The Closer, The Unit, Desperate Housewives, and CSI: NY.

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2024-12-14 20:03