Anika Begay
Summary
- The absence of the Joker in Batman was instrumental in defining the trajectory of Robin Williams’ career.
- Williams excelled in family films, establishing himself as a beloved actor who could win over all audiences.
- While villain roles were a possibility, Williams’ legacy in family films is a unique and valuable part of Hollywood history.
Robin Williams was one of Hollywood’s most beloved and respected actors for decades, but at a pivotal moment in his career, he almost landed a role that would change everything. Williams was a passionate and enigmatic actor and comedian who created dozens of films and TV shows that inspired warmth, happiness and joy in viewers. His exuberant energy and unique ability to use his body, voice and face to create entire characters and sketches on the fly were unmatched.
This exact energy is what got him the breakthrough role in Mork and Mindywhich was a spin-off of Happy days which was born from the unique appearance of the character that gained so much positive attention. He continued to play roles like this and hone his talent for comedyas he moved towards more dramatic roles throughout his career. However, one role could have completely changed the course of his career. Williams was offered the chance to play the Joker in 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton, in which Williams would play the role of the most intense villain.
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Robin Williams as the Joker in 1989’s Batman would have changed the course of his career
Batman could have set Williams on a new path as a villain
It is no understatement to say that if Williams had been cast as the Joker, his career would have changed completely. In 1989, it was still an early stage in Williams’ career and certainly as a successful actor who could play larger, leading roles. Up until that point, his most recognizable role was still Mork and Mindyalong with the recent release of Good morning, Vietnam in 1987. It was He’s still building his career and finding his niche in the industry and 1989 was a pivotal year that would see him embrace several other roles and opportunities.
Robin Williams was also offered the opportunity to play the Riddler in
Batman Forever
but that role was later passed on to Jim Carrey.
It was precisely in the years between 1991 and 1993 that Robin Williams appeared in Aladdin, Hook, Toys, The Doubtful Ladyand several animated films that established Williams as a comedic and family-friendly actor. Had he accepted the role of Joker in BatmanIt is likely that the blockbuster film could have he put him on the path of the bad guy and darker roles. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and it would have been interesting to see Williams in more villainous roles, but his face and voice have become synonymous with so many great family films that it’s hard to imagine him doing anything else.
Losing Joker was a blessing in disguise for Robin Williams (and for cinema)
He didn’t need Batman to make a name for himself
Years later, Williams would get the chance to play a villain in films like Christopher Nolan’s “The Last Jedi.” Insomniawhere he excelled in the role, but found his calling in family films. Williams’ joy, positivity and humor made him a unique and indispensable artist, widely beloved and still beloved a decade after his untimely death. It’s not his talent, because he had plenty of that, but his value and importance as an artist who could connect with all audiences was so special and will live on forever in Hollywood.
He was still building his career and finding his niche in the industry and 1989 was a pivotal year that would see him embrace several other roles and opportunities.
At the time, Robin Williams may have been frustrated at missing out on the opportunity to play the Joker, especially considering his affection for comic books and superheroes (via CBR). However, the gift he gave to the world through his performances in films like Joke, Night at the Museum, Happy Feet, Adams Patch, Jumanji and much more is a legacy anyone would be proud to leave. Robin Williams He could have been a terrific villain in a variety of films and a great dramatic actor throughout his career, but no one could replace his legacy in the family film landscape.
