Christopher Walken as Maximillian "Max" Shreck is probably one of the most underrated villains of all the Batman films. A department store mogul who wants to build a power plant, Walkens Gotham City villain initially seems like your average, everyday member of the one percent. But once he throws his secretary out the window (thereby turning her into Catwoman) and masterminds the mayoral campaign of a man who was raised by penguins, it becomes quite clear that hes not your average self-serving rich guy. According to Batman Return's casting director Marion Dougherty, Tim Burton was apparently uncomfortable with casting Walken as Shreck. When she asked him why he said, "Because that man scares the hell out of me." Singer David Bowie, who had also been previously considered to play the Joker in the original Batman, was the first choice for the character. Bowie turned down the role in favor of one in 1992's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
