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9 Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Almost Played Batman

We might have seen a few different versions of the likes of Spider-Man and Superman on the big screen, but Batman still holds the record for being the most portrayed superhero in cinema. From when Lewis Wilson donned a high-waisted pair of underpants in 1943’s Batman serial to Ben Affleck wearing a high-tech metal suit in this year’s Batman V Superman, ten different actors have played the Dark Knight on the silver screen to date.

3) Josh Brolin

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Bat Brolin

Though Batman V Superman largely failed to excite fans, most agree that Ben Affleck’s turn as the Dark Knight was one of the highlights of the film. It’s ironic, then, that Affleck was a ridiculously controversial pick for the role when he was originally announced to be playing Batman. He also wasn’t the first choice for the character.

Zack Snyder first turned to Josh Brolin for his grizzled take on Batman. Though they discussed the part, it was eventually decided by both that Brolin perhaps wasn’t the way to go.

Here are the actor’s thoughts on the matter:

“It just didn’t turn out. It’s OK. It is OK. You know, another scenario might have worked better, but I’m happy for Ben [Affleck].”

Brolin, of course, is already part of the DCEU’s big rival, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as big bad Thanos. Perhaps it was best that he just stayed with one side then.