Josh Brolin portraying the Caped Crusader? It almost happened.
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Oscar-nominated actor spoke about the time he was inconsideration to star in 2016’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Brolin ultimately lost the role to Ben Affleck, who would go on to play Bruce Wayne in several more DCEU projects.
Brolin told host Josh Horowitz he believed the project would’ve been a “fun” experience, but it was simply out of his hands.
“That was interesting to me,” he said, adding that it was director Zack Snyder who chose to go with Affleck. “That was his decision. That wasn’t my decision. That was his decision.”
Brolin, who would later star in Marvel’s Deadpool 2 and Avengers franchise, said he was intrigued by the role because it could’ve easily been a complete hit or a total flop.
“[It’s] like something that is set up to not work at all, or to work flyingly. I like those odds,” he said. “I like playing with those odds. I’m like, ‘Am I the guy who’s gonna make it all fail?’”
Brolin continued: “It would have been the older, more raspy, for lack of a better word … Honestly, that would have been a fun deal. And maybe I’ll do it one day when I’m 80.”
The 54-year-old actor spoke about the Batman role back in 2013, shortly after the studio announced Affleck’s casting.
“It just didn’t turn out. It’s OK … You know, another scenario might have worked better, but I’m happy for Ben,” he told the Huffington Post, before mentioning the backlash over Affleck’s involvement. “I want him to kick ass and I want everyone to love it and kind of eat their words.”
