15 Actors Who Really Wanted To Be In Comic Book Movies (And Failed)
7. Marlon Wayans Was Robin (For A While)
This was so close to happening that it almost doesnt bear thinking about. Wayans was signed on to play Robin alongside Michael Keatons Batman in the 1992 classic Batman Returns. Unfortunately for Wayans, who fought off competition for the part in Tim Burtons franchise, his debut as the Boy Wonder was pushed back to 1995s Batman Forever.
It was never to be for the Scary Movie actor, as Burtons departure from the project prompted a major overhaul of the cast and the franchise as a whole. Wayans was one of the many casualties, and he took it hard when his part was taken away and given to Chris ODonnell, though over time he came to realise that it might have been for the best:
I dont think I was ready to do Robin back then. I dont think I was ready for that kind of fame.
He went on to admit that if he was ever to appear as a superhero now, he would most likely have to write and star in the movie himself, given the lack of hero roles for African-American actors:
Its not just superheroes, theres never been a lot of roles for brothers. You just have to create your own. Im not going to sit around bitter like Hey white man, hire me, Im too busy writing scripts and worrying about how to make it better.