WithBlack Adamreleasing on October 21 , Pierce Brosnan will don the superhero Doctor Fate , but , once upon a metre , the Irish thespian was offered a dissimilar DC part of Batman - only to turn it down ! Brosnan shared this revelation in aRedditAMA in 2014 , and it is an example of when an actor does n’t have the passion for a superhero role at the time .

Brosnan is not the only actor to have feel this reflection where later on , the actor has either transfer his mind or establish the theatrical role in a comic book movie - sub or villain - that suit them . From Tom Hardy to Joaquin Phoenix , these actors would go on to flirt roles sport in the ever - expound Marvel Cinematic Universe , the DC Extended Universe , or even original superhero films .

Tom Hardy

The talented Tom Hardy has had the destiny of being in two different superhero franchise . He was Bane inThe Dark Knight Risesand is currently portray Venom in the Sony - Verse of Marvel movies .

However , between those two land tenure , Tom Hardy came close to joining the DC Extended Universe . harmonize toCollider , Tom Hardy was really excited about play Rick Flag in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad , but due to a filming schedule difference of opinion withThe Revenant , Hardy had to turn down the role . Joel Kinnaman replaced him while , years later , Hardy run on to shine as anti - hero Eddie Brock / Venom in his own titular serial publication .

Jessica Chastain

allot to a report fromSlashFilm , Jessica Chastain turned down starring in the MCU twice . She was originally move to meet Maya Hansen inIron Man 3 , but she had to leave because she was working on other projects . After that , Chastain winnow out another role as Christine Palmer inDoctor Strange , and while she was available , she wanted to have a comic book role that give up her to use her concert dance grooming .

In a on the face of it turn of case , Jessica Chastain was finally able-bodied to play a mirthful book character as Vuk in 2019’sDark Phoenix , which was one of the more malignedX - Menfilms . Perhaps , another day will come when Jessica Chastain ’s eyed again to join the worlds of either Marvel or DC .

Pierce Brosnan

A long list of actors was considered for Tim Burton’sBatmanbefore Michael Keaton landed the role . Potential doer who almost became Batmanincluded Kurt Russell , Willem Dafoe , and even Bill Murray . And Burton border on none other than the James Bond player : Pierce Brosnan .

Superheroes were not the goliath of Hollywood that they are today , so it is understandable why some actors forwent the character . In 2014 , Brosnan sustain his encounter with Burton on aRedditAMA and expose that he originally was not fond of the idea of the costumes , considering them too silly . However , Brosnan has changed this mentality since he is now link up the DCEU as Doctor Fate inBlack Adam .

Heath Ledger

From Cillian Murphy to Henry Cavill , many doer tried for the character of Batman in Christopher Nolan’sBatman Begins . According toNME , Nolan support that Heath Ledger was a contender , but he turned down the chance due to having no interest in superhero movies .

The success ofBatman Beginsseemed to make Ledger think doubly because he would terminate up give an Oscar - winning performance as The Joker in the continuation . Sadly , it would be Heath Ledger ’s last part before his tragical passing not long before the movie ’s spillage , but people remain to retrieve his bequest as theJoker , even hark back the character ’s greatest quotes .

Will Smith

In the later 90s , Will Smith was a come up mega - star , and this got him involved with multiple elephantine megahit . He also turn down a lot of part , admit thechance to play SupermaninSuperman Returns . ViaComicbookmovie.com , he stated that he pass up the role because of the possible backlash of a shameful actor playing Superman .

Will Smith did go on to act as a Superman - esque role in the underrated original superhero film , Hancock . After that , Smith joined the DCEU as Deadshot in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad .

Jude Law

Jude Law is another histrion who was look at to play Superman . Law tested for the role , but in the end , Brandon Routh became the titular superhero in 2006’sSuperman regaining .

What happened was that Law ended up pass up the opportunity to don the red cape costume - literally ! According toVariety , Law did not care for the way he count in the suit and simply decided it was not for him . Over a decennium later , he connect the superhero world with the purpose of Yon - Rogg in the MCU’sCaptain Marvel .

Josh Brolin

According toDeadline , it ’s become somewhat well - known that Josh Brolin was almost cast as the former Batman ofBatman V Superman : Dawn Of Justice . However , he merely lost that function to Ben Affleck rather than turn down . However , harmonize toNME , Zack Snyder did cover an fling for Josh Brolin to flirt Lex Luthor instead , only for Brolin to move around it down .

Brolin would later link two different Marvel universe right after the failed attempt in the DC existence . He debuted as the Mad Titan known as Thanos inGuardians Of The Galaxyand became the big bad for the rest of the Infinity Saga . After that , Josh Brolin played Cable in theDeadpoolfranchise , which even terminate up parodying the DC universe .

Angelina Jolie

From secret factor to international hoarded wealth hunter , Angelina Jolie has played many action mechanism - hero roles , but astonishingly , it was n’t until 2021 that she get together the superhero Earth . As Thena in the MCU’sEternals , Jolie limn an graceful warrior that served as the inhalation for figures such as Athena .

Though it seems vex that Jolie had n’t appear in any superhero flick before , she spilled the afternoon tea that she was offered a rolelong before becoming Thena . However , Jolie never specified which character , as she kept the details under wraps to not take away the limelight from the role player . Nevertheless , some masses started to speculate which role it was , with rumor being that she almost donned as the Amazonian warrior , Wonder Woman ( viaMovieWeb ) .

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa help redeem Aquaman after shows likeSuper Friendsturned the poor boy into the depicted object of ridicule . Prior toAquaman , however , Jason Momoa was eye for the role of Drax The Destroyer inGuardians of the Galaxy .

According toIGN , the function did not attract to Jason Momoa , so he turned it down because the character was too similar to his other past role . This put to work out just fine since Dave Bautista ended up becoming the fresh definitive Drax who slip the movies in any scene he ’s in , while Jason has wowed DC fan with his witching portrayal as the swayer of Atlantis .

Joaquin Phoenix

It ’s no secret that Joaquin Phoenix is not much of a big enfranchisement doer even though he has nothing against them . But , when Marvel was searching for their Doctor Strange , Phoenix was , at one percentage point , offer to play the sorcerer . Many fans would jibe that he would have believably arrest the character , but according toCinemaBlend , Phoenix turned it down , which opened the doors for Benedict Cumberbatch to bring down the role .

Phoenix would enter the superhero macrocosm with 2019’sJoker , playing the titular villain in his genesis . After play the anti - submarine sandwich , Phoenix ’s opinions change , as not only is theJoker his best and only Oscar - winning role , but he will also reprise the character for an upcoming subsequence - the first time he has ever sport in one .

Edward Norton

Similar to Joaquin Phoenix , Edward Norton seldom bring together adult franchise films , but that did n’t stop studios from trying to cast him . Before Ben Affleck was hired , Edward Norton was extend to playthe primary Marvel hero and lawyerMatt Murdock in 2003’sDaredevilmovie .

According toIGN , Norton did correct the role to focus on his screenwriting and take aim efforts . Five years later , Edward Norton gave playing a superhero a slam as the titular character in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk , the 2nd film entry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . regrettably , his stint as Bruce Banner / Hulk was short - go , and he was replaced by Mark Ruffalo , who has been carrying the role since .

Sylvester Stallone

After the firstRockyexploded in theaters , Sylvester Stallone was an instant Hollywood sensation , so much so that whenSuperman : The Moviewas beginning product , the studioaimed at Stallone for the nominal role . In the remnant , Sylvester Stallone feel that play Superman was simply not his style and declined .

Since then , Stallone has appeared in three dissimilar superhero moving-picture show roles . He had a brief role inGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol . 2 , he steal scene and hearts as King Shark in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad , and now stars as a go to sleep superhero inSamaritanon Prime Video . Ironically , his role in Samaritan is reminiscent of Superman ’s strength and mightiness , so it just come to a full circle .

NEXT:10 Best Superhero Movies Of All Time , allot To Letterboxd

Spider-Man in the MCU and Jean Grey in Marvel Comics

Iron Man looking inside Sokovia in Avengers Age of Ultron

Nextwave team

Split image of Sylvester Stallone as Samaritan and Jason Momoa as Aquaman

Venom with Eddie’s Brock face exposed in Venom (2018)

Jessica Chastain as Vuk standing still in Dark Phoenix

Doctor Fate holding his arm out in Black Adam (2022)

Heath Ledger as The Joker sitting in a cell in The Dark Knight (2008)

Split image of Will Smith as Hancock marching into a fight in Hancock and Deadshot on a roof in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad

Jude Law as Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel

Split image of Thanos on Titan in Avengers Infinity War and Cable in Deadpool 2

Thena using cosmic energy on the beach in Eternals.

Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry AKA Aquaman in the orange armor in Aquaman (2018)

Arthur Fleck becoming the Joker with a blood smile in Joker (2019)

Edward Norton as Bruce Banner beginning a transformation in The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Split image of Sylvester Stallone as Starhawk, King Shark, and Samaritan in various films

Marvel Cinematic Universe