An interesting pice of news came out today. It appears Chris Cooper, not Gary Oldman was first approached to play the role of Lt. James Gordon In the new Batman franchise. We get the news from Cooper himself thanks to an interview with MTV movies blog:
Oscar winner Chris Cooper revealed to MTV News, admitting that he was initially offered the role of Lt. James Gordon well before Gary Oldman took the reigns. “I was approached about that and chose not to do it,” he matter of factly confessed. According to the “Adaptation” star, declining the role had less to do with the character itself than it did the time he would be forced to spend away from his family on such a big-budget enterprise.
Even now that the movie has become a worldwide phenomenon, Cooper says that, looking back, he has no regrets. “Not at all,” he insisted. “There’s any number of scripts that I passed on — some that got huge recognition — but I have no regrets.”
This is a situation where I am glad the first pick passed up the job. I think Cooper rules, and he is never a bad addition to anything, but now that I have seen the film – I am happy Oldman got the role. I thought Oldman did a great job as Gordon, and am glad history unfolded the way it did.
International friends what are your thoughts on the matter? Would you have preferred Chris Cooper in the role or was Oldman the superior default?
@Darren
Chris Cooper can say he has no regrets, but that doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. This new Batman franchise is certified blockbuster gold and certainly had the potential to push him from “Damn what was that guy’s name in that Ryan Phillipe spy movie?” to “Hey Chris Cooper was great in Batman let’s check out his new movie.”
I think it would be hard for an actor to swallow his pride and say that he made a bad decision or has regrets about his career.
I think Gary Oldman brings a lot of talent and genuine personality to the role. He truly owns the role in my opinion and brings to life a completely believable portrayal of Gordon.
Chris Cooper’s version of Gordon would have been different and not necessarily better or worse. I don’t think it means anything at all that he was the first choice. The truth is that actors are interchangeable and as far as the level of talent goes I think that both of them are excellent choices.
@Darren
True.
But I’m still glad Will Smith didn’t take the Neo role in The Matrix:)
Oldman was fine. Could Cooper been better? I cannot answer that and y’know what? Nobody else can either. Actors turn down parts all the time for a variety of reasons. Chris Cooper still gets loads of supporting work; he isn’t hurting. I also think it speaks volumes when he was the top choice. Also…one thing I am very happy to see is that Cooper has no regrets over declining the role.
One thing about Hollywood media that ticks me off is when they look back on a film that an actor or actress wasn’t part of. If the film was a hit and the film they were in wasn’t, “Do you regret not doing that part, instead of this other film” or if the reverse “Are you glad you dodged that?” —to my POV that is outright idiotic. That’s hindsight we are talking about. Nobody can say that the role in a hit film would be better for them. They may have played it different. It would have been a slightly different film.
Oldman owned Gordon. ’nuff said.
I really don’t think it would’ve mattered that much. C’mon guys, Oldman is great, but so is Cooper and the role itself is pretty limited and bland don’t you think? Hardly a role that required greatness or an extraordinary amount experience or charisma.
I like Chris Cooper a lot, but Gary Oldman is one of my favorite actors. He absolutely becomes Gordon in Batman Begins and I look forward to seeing him more in the next film as I’m sure his involvment with Bats grows.
Oldman is great as Gordon. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.
Oldman was the only decent thing in Batman Begins. Good thing they chose him. It would have been a complete train wreck if they hadn’t.
oh THANK GOD!! Gary Oldman was sooooo THAT part in that movie. He was a perfect fit. THANK GOD.