10 Potential Castings We're SO Glad Didn't Happen
2. Robin Williams As Jack Torrance (The Shining)
Robin Williams was initially Stanley Kubrick’s first choice for The Shining, which feels like a very strange choice. Later Williams roles like Insomnia, One Hour Photo or World’s Greatest Dad would go on to justify Kubrick’s thinking, but at the time it was bizarre.
Kubrick obviously spotted something in Williams though, but after his audition Kubrick went off the choice. A little too manic was Kubrick’s verdict, which given Williams’ typical exuberant style, seems understandable.
At the time, Williams hadn’t really established himself in Hollywood, being best known for Mork & Mindy on TV. Even though he didn’t end up getting the part, Kubrick clearly had an eye for talent.
Jack Torrance wasn’t the only major role Williams just missed throughout his career either. He was scheduled to play the Joker (a role he also lost to Nicholson), as well as the Riddler, which eventually went to Jim Carrey. Away from Batman, he was shortlisted for the role of Willy Wonka in 2005, and was set to be Hagrid in Harry Potter, before JK Rowling nixed the idea, insisting on an all British cast.
He had a phenomenal career, but it could have been even bigger.