ROBIN WILLIAMS IN A BATMAN MOVIE
(1989.... ONWARDS)

WHAT WAS THE PLAN?

During the production of the Batman movie franchise, comedic actor Robin Williams was linked to the roles of a number of high-profile Bat-villains; most notably the Joker and the Riddler.

OH. SO WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED?

As Batman (1989) was being prepped for the big screen, Williams was reportedly offered the role of the Joker; Batman’s most iconic adversary. 
This would have seen him trading onscreen blows with Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight in one of the biggest movies of 1989.

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BUT WHAT DID HAPPEN?

According to Williams the actor was offered the role of the Joker in the first Bat-movie, but Batman creator Bob Kane and Bat-movie producer Michael Uslan had always had Jack Nicholson in mind for the part of the Clown Prince of Crime and so the offer was quickly rescinded.  Nicholson was then cast in the part, where he earned a $6 million dollar wage packet, as well as a percentage of the final box-office take and a huge chunk of change from the sequel (Batman Returns (1992)), which he didn’t even work on!

Understandably Williams was a bit miffed at missing out on the role, however he was still interested in appearing as another villain; so when Batman Forever (1995) was on the horizon he was one of the first names on the list.

Robin Williams as the Joker?

OH.  SO WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED THIS TIME?

Prior to Batman Forever going into production, Bat-director Tim Burton was looking likely to take charge for a third time and weighed up a number of options for which characters (heroic and non-heroic) were to appear alongside the Dark Knight. Two-Face was an early favourite and with the Riddler being one of Batman’s most famous rogues, it wasn’t long before he was thrown into the mix as well and Williams’ name was mentioned once again.

Robin Williams as the Riddler?

BUT WHAT DID HAPPENED?

Robin Williams was reportedly offered the role (yes again), however meanwhile following negative feedback regarding the ‘dark’ content of Batman Returns, Warner Bros dropped director Tim Burton in favour of director Joel Schumacher when it came time to make Batman Forever.  With Schumacher in control and Batman star Michael Keaton also exiting the project, the director offered the part of the Riddler to star-of-the-moment Jim Carrey.  Once again Williams was ditched in favour of someone else, but all was not lost as Batman Forever became a hit, which resulted in the franchise proving box-office gold once more.  Batman & Robin (1997) quickly went into production and with Warner Bros believing it had another sure-fire hit on its hands Batman Triumphant was planned. 

SO THEN WHAT HAPPENED?

Around this time a number of names circulated in connection to potential villains and once again Williams’ name was discussed (mostly by fans) with regard to the role of the Mad Hatter; but with Batman & Robin failing to live up to expectations, plans to produce Batman Triumphant were quickly shelved.  The Bat-franchise lay dormant for the next eight years until Batman Begins (2005) rebooted the series, followed by The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).  As production geared up for The Dark Knight Rises, the rumour mill started churning out Williams’ name again (alongside David Tennant and Eddie Murphy) in connection to the part of the Riddler.

JEEZ.  SO WHAT HAPPENED THIS TIME?

When interviewed about the rumours, Williams admitted that he would love to be involved, but only if it was a genuine offer, having previously been burned before.  Unfortunately for him there was no offer, because when the list of villains for The Dark Knight Rises was announced, the Riddler was nowhere to be seen.

WAS THIS A BAD THING?

For Williams being offered a part (twice) and then losing out to another actor was probably a big kick in the balls, but being a big Hollywood star such as he was, he almost certainly got over it.  Both Nicholson and Carrey were perfectly cast in their respective roles as the Joker and Riddler and so it’s debatable as to if Williams would have ever improved upon this.  If the Bat-franchise had continued along its original course (Batman Triumphant onwards) then it’s more than likely Williams would have been offered a role sooner rather than later anyway.

BUT WHAT IF?

If Williams had taken a role in a Batman film then he would have no doubt been given the part of an evil transvestite gamer.  Whilst dressed as an unconvincing woman, Williams’ villain would have had the power to transport Batman to a deadly jungle, where he would have been attacked by lions and tigers and bears (oh my).  Batman would have then remained trapped in that harsh environment until his sidekick Robin was able to roll a specific number on a pair of dice in order to release him.  Williams would have been known as the Ju-man Ji-man.

Robin Williams as a Batman villain?

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