Burt Reynolds Nearly Became Batman: Why He Said No
Burt Reynolds was once in the running to play Batman in the 1960s TV series, but he turned down the role, doubting it would boost his career. He later praised Adam West’s performance, though he felt the part didn’t help West much either.
Imagine the classic Batman theme tune, but instead of Adam West, it’s Burt Reynolds donning the cape and cowl. That could’ve been reality if Reynolds hadn’t knocked back the chance to play one of pop culture’s most recognisable heroes. It wasn’t the only time he passed on a role that would go on to become iconic. If you look at the sheer number of legendary parts Reynolds turned down, it’s hard to find another actor who’s said ‘no’ to so many future hits. From characters that became household names to films that raked in awards, Reynolds had a knack for walking away from what would become goldmines for other stars. It’s no wonder his career peaked in the late ‘70s, given how many opportunities he let slip by.
He famously passed on roles like Han Solo, James Bond, Superman, and even Jack Nicholson’s Oscar-winning turns in ‘Terms of Endearment’ and ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. Add to that John McClane from ‘Die Hard’, a lead in ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, and ‘Pretty Woman’. You’d reckon his agents might have had a quiet word, suggesting he say ‘yes’ for once, considering how well things turned out for the blokes who took those parts. Either that advice never came, or the offers just dried up eventually.
Batman Offer in the 1960s
To be fair, Reynolds wasn’t in the running for Tim Burton’s blockbuster version of the Dark Knight. But he was offered the lead in the 1960s TV series, at a time when his own career wasn’t exactly on fire. When the show launched in 1966, Reynolds had just finished ‘Navajo Joe’, a film he later described as
“so awful it was only shown in prisons and airplanes because nobody could leave.”
He’d also wrapped up his run as Quint Asper on ‘Gunsmoke’ the year before, so it’s not like he was flat out with work. Still, the idea of squeezing into a tight suit and firing off cheesy one-liners didn’t appeal, and he didn’t lose any sleep over turning it down.
Reynolds’ Reflections on the Role
In his memoir, Reynolds explained his thinking:
“I backed away from the original Batman TV series because I doubted I could bring it off and didn’t think it was a star-making part.”
Most would argue that playing the Caped Crusader was a ticket to stardom, but Reynolds didn’t see it that way. He added,
“I wouldn’t have been nearly as good as Adam West, who was brilliant as Batman. But as it happened, I was right: Batman didn’t do much for his career.”
That’s a bit of a stretch, though. While West didn’t exactly become a megastar, the role gave him a steady gig and a loyal fanbase for life. He kept riding that Bat-wave for years, making the most of his time in the spotlight.
Crossing Paths Again
There’s a bit of irony in how their paths crossed later. The first time Adam West played himself on the big screen, he was cast as the lead in a film-within-a-film. And who turned up as the fictional film’s stunt coordinator in 1978’s ‘Hooper’? None other than Burt Reynolds. It’s a small world in showbiz, and sometimes the roles you turn down have a way of circling back.