There are some actors so synonymous with a role that you basically can't imagine anyone else playing the part. That can certainly be said for Christian Bale's iconic tenure as Batman in Christopher Nolan's trilogy - quite the mean feat given how many actors have played the dark superhero over the years.
However, were you aware that another leading Hollywood actor was also in the running to play Bruce Wayne in the film series? It was, in fact, none other than Ireland's own - and Bale's eventual co-star - Cillian Murphy.
The Peaky Blinders star screen tested for the part back in 2004, losing out to Bale but ultimately nabbing the role of Crane, also known as Scarecrow.
"I don't believe I was close to landing that role," Murphy revealed. "The only actor who was right for that part at that time, in my estimation, was Christian Bale, and he absolutely smashed it.
"So, for me, it was just an experience, and then it turned into something else," the actor elaborated. "It turned into that character, Scarecrow, and it turned into a working relationship with Chris. So, I think back very, very fondly on that time, but I never, ever, ever considered myself Bruce Wayne material."
Following his turn as Crane in Batman Begins, Murphy subsequently went on to work with Nolan on the film's sequels The Dark Night and The Dark Knight Rises. He also won major roles in other Nolan blockbusters such as Inception and Dunkirk.
Nolan also spoke fondly of Murphy's bid for the leading role; speaking to The Independent in 2016, the legendary director reminisced: "He wasn't right for that part in the way that Christian was, but the performance was incredible, and everyone took huge notice of it."
"I then was able to go to the studio and ask to put him in as Crane, as Scarecrow, in Batman Begins."
You can catch a snippet of Murphy's screentest as the Dark Knight in the clip below.
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Featured Image Credit: PA Images
Topics: Ireland