In a recent Q&A session at Los Angeles' American Cinematheque theater, actor Robert Downey Jr. revealed that he once pursued a role in Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. The 58-year-old actor confirmed that he had met with Nolan, the director of the films, to discuss playing the villain Scarecrow in 2005's Batman Begins.
Downey Jr. expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, 'I'm pretty sure I heard about [this role] and I was like, 'I'm Scarecrow.'' However, he sensed during the meeting that Nolan might not be fully invested in having him for the part. At the time, he thought Nolan seemed disinterested, which made him feel like the opportunity wouldn't materialize.
Ultimately, the role of Scarecrow went to actor Cillian Murphy, who portrayed the character in all three of Nolan's Batman movies. Interestingly, Murphy initially auditioned to play Batman himself but ended up being cast as Scarecrow instead. During a previous interview, Murphy shared that both he and Nolan quickly realized he was better suited for the role of Scarecrow than Batman.
Murphy's portrayal of Scarecrow, a psychologist in Gotham City who uses various gases to induce fear in his victims, was well-received by audiences. His collaboration with Nolan extended beyond the Batman movies, with Murphy also playing a pivotal role in Nolan's 2010 film Inception. Eventually, their partnership led to Murphy taking on a leading role in Nolan's upcoming film, Oppenheimer.
The story comes full circle for Robert Downey Jr. as well. While he missed out on a role in Batman Begins, he eventually found immense success as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Downey Jr. first played the iconic character in 2008's Iron Man and went on to become the face of the MCU for the next decade. It wasn't until Oppenheimer, set to be released in the future, that Downey Jr. collaborated with Nolan.
It's worth noting that all three individuals—Downey Jr., Nolan, and Murphy—are currently nominated for Academy Awards at the upcoming 96th Oscars ceremony. Despite their previous near-misses or missed opportunities, their careers have thrived, and they continue to be recognized for their exceptional talent and contributions to the film industry.
While we may only speculate about the outcome if Downey Jr. had played Scarecrow or if Murphy had portrayed Batman, it's intriguing to consider how these alternate paths could have shaped their careers and the movies we have come to love. Nevertheless, it's clear that each actor has found their respective niches and excelled in fully embracing the unique opportunities that have come their way.
