Michael Keaton-Batman casting backlash made Mark Hamill do Joker audition

Icon Mark Hamill voiced the Batman villain Joker on Batman The Animated Series which originally aired for 85 episodes from 19921995Hamill earned acclaim for the voice role but it would have never happened without Michael Keatons casting as Batman in Tim Burtons 1989 comic book film reports VarietyAs Hamill recalled during a recent Wired video interview Keatons casting as Bruce WayneBatman earned backlash from comic book fans considering he was more known as a comedic actor in films such as Mr Mom and Burtons own BeetlejuiceI just read for it Hamill said of the Joker role I had a confidence that really helped me because there was this big outcry that Michael Keaton was gonna play Batman Oh hes Mr Mom hes a comedy actor I mean they hadnt even seen him in the role and they didnt realize how great he would become But there was great controversySeeing Keaton overcome backlash to become an iconic Batman gave Hamill the confidence he needed that comic book fans would be willing to accept the Luke Skywalker actor as the JokerWhen I went in for the Joker role I thought You think theyre gonna hire Luke Skywalker to play the Joker The fans will lose their minds Hamill saidI was so sure that I couldnt be cast I was completely relaxed A lot of times theres performance anxiety because you want the part here I knew I couldnt get the part so who cares I drove out of the parking lot thinking Thats the best Joker theyll ever hear and its too bad they cant cast me And as soon as they cast me it reversed I was like Oh no I cant do thisHamill said the Joker is one of his favourite characters to play because hes insane and because hes insane hes never boring Its just fun to play a character who creates chaos everywhere he goesThe Batman fan community often cites Hamills Joker as one of the best Its a role Hamill has returned to over the years including in the animated movie Batman The Killing Joker Hamill voiced the Joker to Kevin Conroys Batman and they both reprised their roles in the Batman Arkham video games Conroy died last November after a short battle with cancerKevin was perfection Hamill said in a statement at the timeHe was one of my favourite people on the planet and I loved him like a brother He truly cared for the people around him his decency shone through everything he did Every time I saw him or spoke with him my spirits were elevatedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever