Comic books and superhero franchises have become the gold standard for Hollywood success. Once an actor hits the big leagues, they are immediately swept into these larger-than-life universes. And the attraction for this genre is not surprising considering the global exposure, guaranteed box office hits, juicy paychecks, and the chance of skyrocketing one's career. That said, there are exceptions. Many talented actors, even Oscar winners, have not had the chance to dive into the world of comic book films. One of those actors is Adrien Brody.

Brody recently shared his regret over losing out on his “dream role” of playing Joker in Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan’s DC film.

Christopher Nolan’s approach to comic books was much more than just flashy superpowers, VFX and extravagant action sequences. It stood apart for its depth, complexity, and grounded realism, that brought a sense of authenticity with the larger-than-life narrative. During a conversation with Josh Horowitz, Adrien Brody pointed out the same aspects of Nolan’s DC trilogy, highlighting that it was far beyond a typical “big studio movie.” Although Brody felt he was “very suited” to play Joker, he felt “wasn’t close” to capturing the character’s essence.

Brody added, “It’s really broad, and not necessarily the way that would feel fulfilling.” The Pianist star was grateful that Heath Ledger took on the role instead of him because of the incredible performance he delivered. Still, Brody confessed it would have been amazing to have a similar opportunity again, as it was “such a dream role.” However, Joker was not the only superhero character Brody came close to playing.

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There was also an MCU role that Brody was interested in, but unfortunately, it never came to fruition either.

In addition to the Joker, Brody was also in talks to play Marvel’s Ant-Man. Back when Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright was attached to the film, Brody was seen as a front-runner for the title role. In interviews, such as during a New York Comic-Con appearance in 2010, Brody expressed his enthusiasm about the potential opportunity. "The key is to constantly push the boundaries," Brody added.

Back then, everything pointed towards Brody stepping into the iconic hero’s shoes. However, when Edgar Wright left the project and Peyton Reed took over as director, the role shifted to Paul Rudd. Though Brody did not get to join Christopher Nolan’s Batman saga or any other superhero adventure, he made it clear in the podcast that he is still eager to explore the genre.

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