History Trivia / BatmanBegins

*** Creator/DavidBoreanaz, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/BillyCrudup, Creator/EionBailey, [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], Creator/CillianMurphy, and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for the role of Bruce Wayne as well before the casting of Bale. Murphy would later go on to portray Jonathan Crane in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC Comics superhero.]]

** Creator/DanielDayLewis, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/GuyPearce were approached for [[ComicBook/RasAlGhul Henri Ducard]] before Creator/LiamNeeson was cast. Pearce turned it down due to the fact that he considered himself "too young" for the role at the age of thirty-seven.

*** Creator/TheWachowskis were offered to direct the movie as well, but turned down the offer in order to helm ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' and ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'' instead.

** Creator/JakeGyllenhaal was the second choice for the role of [[Comicbook/{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]] had Creator/ChristianBale turned down the offer. [[Film/ManOfSteel David S. Goyer]] stated in an interview that his favorite pre-audition candidate was Gyllenhaal, but was ultimately won over by Bale after seeing his audition.
*** Creator/CillianMurphy, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/EionBailey, Creator/BillyCrudup, [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for Bruce Wayne as well before the casting of Bale. Murphy would later go on to portray Jonathan Crane in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC Comics superhero.]]
*** '''Creator/AshtonKutcher''' was also considered for Batman and was reportedly some of the studio executives' top contender for the role. However, Nolan was not so enthusiastic about the idea of casting Kutcher which prompted the studio heads to drop the idea.
** Creator/ChrisCooper was originally offered the role of James Gordon before Creator/GaryOldman was cast. Ironically, Oldman was initially in mind to play [[ComicBook/RasAlGhul Henri Ducard]] by the director.
** Creator/EwanMcGregor, Creator/ChristopherEccleston, Creator/JeremyDavies, and Music/MarilynManson were considered for the part of Jonathan Crane before the casting of Creator/CillianMurphy. [=McGregor=] would eventually go on to portray Black Mask in ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020''.
** Creator/DanielDayLewis, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/GuyPearce were approached for [[ComicBook/RasAlGhul Henri Ducard]] before Creator/LiamNeeson was cast. Pearce turned it down due to the fact that he and Nolan considered himself "too young" for the role at the age of thirty-seven.
** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan was hired, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the movie. The film would've been based on ''Comicbook/BatmanYearOne'' and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.
*** Creator/TheWachowskis were given the choice of directing this movie or their sequels to ''Film/TheMatrix'' and ended up choosing the latter instead.

** The writers considered having Harvey Dent in the film but inserting him would have been too unwieldy.

** Creator/DanielDayLewis, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/GuyPearce were all approached for [[ComicBook/RasAlGhul Henri Ducard]] before Creator/LiamNeeson was cast. Pearce turned it down due to the fact that he and Nolan considered himself "too young" for the role at the age of thirty-seven.

** Creator/JakeGyllenhaal was the second choice for the role of Comicbook/{{Batman}} had Creator/ChristianBale turned it down. [[Film/ManOfSteel David S. Goyer]] stated in an interview that his favorite pre-audition candidate was Gyllenhaal, but was ultimately won over by Bale after seeing his audition.
*** Creator/CillianMurphy, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/EionBailey, Creator/BillyCrudup, [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for Bruce Wayne as well. Murphy would later go on to be cast as Jonathan Crane in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC Comics superhero.]]
*** ''Creator/AshtonKutcher'' of all people was considered for the part of Bruce Wayne and was reportedly some of the studio executives' top contender for the role. However, Nolan was not so enthusiastic about the idea of casting Kutcher which prompted the studio heads to drop the idea.

** Creator/ChristopherEccleston, Creator/EwanMcGregor, Creator/JeremyDavies, and Music/MarilynManson were considered for the part of Jonathan Crane before the casting of Creator/CillianMurphy.
** Creator/DanielDayLewis, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/GuyPearce were all approached for Henri Ducard before Creator/LiamNeeson was cast. Pearce turned it down on the fact that he and Nolan considered himself "too young" for the role.
** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the movie. The film would've been based on ''Comicbook/BatmanYearOne'' and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.

** Creator/ChrisCooper was originally offered the role of James Gordon before Creator/GaryOldman was cast. Ironically, Oldman was initially in mind to play Henri Ducard by the director.

** Creator/GuyPearce, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/DanielDayLewis were all approached for Henri Ducard. Pearce turned it down on the fact that he and Nolan considered himself too young for the role.

** Creator/JakeGyllenhaal was the second choice for the role of Batman had Creator/ChristianBale turned it down. [[Film/ManOfSteel David S. Goyer]] stated in an interview that his favorite pre-audition candidate was Gyllenhaal, but was ultimately won over by Bale after seeing his audition.

** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the movie. The film would've been based on Comicbook/BatmanYearOne and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.

*** Creator/MNightShyamalan was at one point considered to write and direct the film, but turned it down.

** Creator/JoePantoliano revealed in an interview that he turned down the role of Detective Flass citing him as an unimportant character.
** Creator/AnthonyHopkins was reportedly offered the role of Alfred Pennyworth, but declined the offer.
** Creator/LaurenceFishburne was considered for Lucius Fox before Creator/MorganFreeman was cast..

*** Creator/CillianMurphy, Creator/EionBailey, Creator/BillyCrudup, and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for Bruce Wayne as well. Murphy would later go on to be cast as Jonathan Crane in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC Comics superhero.]]

** Creator/AnthonyHopkins was offered the role of Alfred, but declined.
** Creator/LaurenceFishburne was considered for Lucius Fox.

** Creator/AnthonyHopkins was offered the role of Alfred, but declined.
** Creator/LaurenceFishburne was considered for Lucius Fox.

** Creator/ChristopherEccleston, Creator/EwanMcGregor, and Music/MarilynManson were considered for the part of Jonathan Crane before the casting of Creator/CillianMurphy.

** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the movie. The film would've been based on Comicbook/BatmanYearOne and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.

** Creator/MNightShyamalan was at one point considered to write and direct the film, but turned it down.

* TheCastShowoff: Notice how Ducard tends to go into boxing stances when fighting bare handed? Liam Neeson trained as a boxer in his teens.

* DawsonCasting: Curiously zigzagged. Played straight in the case of Creator/ChristianBale for college-aged Bruce, and ([[IncrediblyLamePun ironically]]) inverted in the case of Katie Holmes as present-time Rachel (the character is supposed to be around 30, but Holmes was still in her early 20's in 2005).
* DyeingForYourArt: Christian Bale had to quickly bulk up after his incredible weight loss for ''Film/TheMachinist''. He succeeded in packing on the muscle in a short amount of time and discovered that he actually ''overdid'' it (making him look too bulky and stout for a character that has to be quick on his feet) and had to slim back down during production. Compare how he looks during the training montage at Ra's Al Ghul's compound and during his shirtless scenes later in the movie to see just how much he had to lose.

** This is specifically why Liam Neeson was chosen to be [[BigBad Ra's al Ghul]], because they thought it would shock fans that Liam was the true villain.

** Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. While ''Film/AmericanPsycho'' was a cult hit, ''Batman Begins'' is the film that made him a bona-fide star.

* UnderAgeCasting: Rachel Dawes is an assistant district attorney despite her actress Katie Holmes being 26 years old and looking to be about 23.

*** Creator/CillianMurphy, Creator/EionBailey, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/BillyCrudup. [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for Bruce Wayne as well. Murphy would later go on to be cast as Jonathan Crane in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC Comics superhero.]]

** Creator/ChristopherEccleston, Creator/EwanMcGregor, and Creator/JeremyDavies were considered for the part of Jonathan Crane before the casting of Creator/CillianMurphy.

** Christopher Nolan originally didn't want to give Scarecrow a mask, but David S. Goyer was able to convince him into it.

** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the the movie. The film would've been based on Comicbook/BatmanYearOne and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.

** Creator/GuyPearce, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/DanielDayLewis was all approached for Henri Ducard. Pearce turned it down on the fact that he and Nolan considered himself too young for the role.

** Before Creator/ChristopherNolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the next Batman movie after Film/BatmanAndRobin. The film would've been based on Comicbook/BatmanYearOne, and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script, due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.
*** Creator/TheWachowskis were given the choice of directing this movie or their sequels to ''Film/TheMatrix'' and ended up choosing the latter.

** Creator/JakeGyllenhaal was the second choice for the role of Batman had Creator/ChristianBale turned it down. [[Film/ManOfSteel David S. Goyer]] stated in an interview that his favorite pre-audition candidate was Gyllenhaal, but ultimately he was won over by Bale after seeing his audition.
*** Creator/CillianMurphy, Creator/EionBailey, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/BillyCrudup. [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], and Creator/HenryCavill screen-tested for Bruce Wayne as well. Murphy would later go on to be cast as Scarecrow in the film while Cavill went on to play [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} another DC superhero.]]
*** ''Creator/AshtonKutcher'' of all people was eyed for the role of Bruce Wayne and was reportedly some of the studio executives' top contender for the part. However, Nolan was not so enthusiastic about the idea of casting Kutcher which prompted the studio heads to drop the idea.

** Creator/ChristopherEccleston, Creator/EwanMcGregor, and Creator/JeremyDavies were considered for the role of Jonathan Crane before the casting of Creator/CillianMurphy.
** Creator/GuyPearce, Creator/ViggoMortensen, and Creator/DanielDayLewis was all approached for Henri Ducard. Pearce turned it down on the fact that he and Nolan considered himself too young for the part.
** Before Christopher Nolan took over, Creator/DarrenAronofsky was originally chosen to write and direct the next Batman movie after Film/BatmanAndRobin. The film would've been based on Comicbook/BatmanYearOne, and Aronofsky brought on Creator/FrankMiller to co-write it with him. However, the studio was unhappy with the script, due to the differences from the source material and did not greenlight the film until Nolan came on board.

** Creator/ChristopherNolan originally didn't want to give Scarecrow a mask, but [[Film/ManOfSteel David S. Goyer]] was able to convince him into it.

** When first casting Bruce Wayne, the studio screen-tested Creator/ChristianBale along with Creator/JakeGyllenhaal, Creator/EionBailey, [[Series/{{Fringe}} Joshua Jackson]], Creator/BillyCrudup. [[Series/{{Hannibal}} Hugh Dancy]], Creator/CillianMurphy, and Creator/HenryCavill. Murphy would later be cast as Scarecrow in the movie while Cavill went on to play [[Franchise/{{Superman}} another DC superhero.]]
** The numerous proposals for a fifth ''Batman'' film that were bandied about for the better part of a decade, before Creator/WarnerBros settled on a ContinuityReboot instead. See [[Trivia/BatmanAndRobin this page]] for more information.
** The Wachowskis were given the choice of directing this movie or their sequels to ''Film/TheMatrix''.

* UnderAgeCasting: Rachel Dawes is an assistant district attorney despite her actress Katie Holmes being 26 years old and looking to be about 23. She should still be in law school by all accounts.

* UnderAgeCasting: Rachel Dawes is an assistant district attorney despite her actress Katie Holmes being 26 years old and looking to be about 23. She should still be in law school by all accounts. Aside from that, she was romantically involved with Creator/ChristianBale who is older by a decent amount.
** To top this, according to the original script Rachel is supposed to be some two or three years older than Bruce Wayne, to justify her being an intern at the DA office when he's still an undergrad. In real life, Bale is some five years older than Katie Holmes.
** If Rachel had gone to law school straight out of college, she'd have graduated at 24 or 25. The only thing unlikely given her youth and inexperience is that she'd be handling cases--especially major, high-profile ones like Falcone--on her own, but she'd still be able to work in the DA's office. It's not as much a stretch as other examples.

* WordOfGod: Going by WordOfGod, comics canon, and the novelization, the Nolanverse Bruce Wayne was born on February 19, 1977 (1980 in the novelization); his parents were killed on June 26, 1988, at 10:48 PM; their killer is killed and Bruce himself begins his seven-year odyssey on February 20, 2000; Henri Ducard discovered Bruce in early 2006; his training with the League of Shadows went on for about a year, culminating in the final test on January 17, 2007; Bruce boards a plane back to Gotham on January 21, 2007, arriving the next day; the film's story picks up on February 1, 2007, as Crane recommends that Victor Zsasz be moved to Arkham; the Batman makes his first appearance and serves up Carmine Falcone on Valentine's Day, with the case against Falcone going forward the next day; Falcone is driven insane on the 17th, and the Batman is poisoned by Crane that night; the climax takes place on February 19, 2007; Lucius Fox becomes the CEO of Wayne Enterprises the next day... [[ContinuitySnarl and the final scene takes place on December 1, 2007]].

* WordOfGod: Going by WordOfGod, comics canon, and the novelization, the Nolanverse Bruce Wayne was born on February 19, 1977 (1980 in the novelization); his parents were killed on June 26, 1988; their killer is killed and Bruce himself begins his seven-year odyssey on February 20, 2000; Henri Ducard discovered Bruce in early 2006; his training with the League of Shadows went on for about a year, culminating in the final test on January 17, 2007; Bruce boards a plane back to Gotham on January 21, 2007, arriving the next day; the film's story picks up on February 1, 2007, as Crane recommends that Victor Zsasz be moved to Arkham; the Batman makes his first appearance and serves up Carmine Falcone on Valentine's Day, with the case against Falcone going forward the next day; Falcone is driven insane on the 17th, and the Batman is poisoned by Crane that night; the climax takes place on February 19, 2007; Lucius Fox becomes the CEO of Wayne Enterprises the next day... [[ContinuitySnarl and the final scene takes place on December 1, 2007]].

* PlayingAgainstType: This is specifically why Liam Neeson was chosen to be [[BigBad Ra's al Ghul]], because they thought it would shock fans that Liam was the true villain.

** Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. While ''AmericanPsycho'' was a cult hit, ''Batman Begins'' is the film that made him a bona-fide star.

** In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the role of Rachel is recast with Creator/MaggieGyllenhaal who appears only slightly older than Holmes (indeed, she is a year older). In that film, she was still the assistant DA in a love triangle between Bale's Bruce Wayne and the even older Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent.