12 Actors You Won't Believe Almost Played Iconic Comic Book Characters

The Joker in question was from Tim Burton’s Batman, a role which eventually went to Jack Nicholson, who had what some would argue was a career best turn in the role. It’s difficult to envision anyone else as the the Clown Prince Of Crime in Burton’s gothic version of the Dark Knight’s story, but Robin Williams makes for a helluva an intriguing hypothetical prospect.

There’s allegedly a bit of a sordid backstory to the whole affair too.

According to various rumours, Robin Williams had already been cast as Joker when Nicholson happened across Burton’s script. After reading it, he phoned up Warner Brothers to ask for the part; Nicholson had no idea Williams was even in the running, let alone had been cast.

Warner Brothers loved the idea, uncast Williams and even had Jack Nicholson as the top-billed star of the movie. Williams apparently bore no ill will to Nicholson for getting the role, but refused to work for Warner Brothers again until he got an apology.

For all Nicholson was fantastic, seeing a Robin Williams Joker would’ve been pretty great too.