4. Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin in Batman Returns
While the characterization is a seperate issue, the casting of Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns is the result of a common problem in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher Batman films, which is casting a well-known actor that is too obvious of a choice for the specific character the performer is portraying. DeVito is a talented actor but the decision to cast him in Batman Returns as the Penguin seemed to be based upon the assumption that the actor is right for the part because he has the natural qualities of the character he is interpreting. The result leaves fans wondering of what might have been if not only the right approach was taken on the character but if an actor were cast that would have created intrigue because the choice was unexpected.