Warning: Spoilers ahead for Shrinking season 2, episode 4, “Made You Look”!Harrison Ford is still a highlight of Apple TV+’s comedy-dramaShrinking, but season 2 features a joke that doubles as a reminder that the actor nearly became Batman. The 82-year-old actor plays the veteran therapist Dr. Paul Rhoades, whose old-school methods often clash with his co-worker and fellow therapist, Jimmy (Jason Segel). Though Ford is one of the most notable members ofShrinking’s cast list, his involvement in the show is noteworthy for another reason.
In addition toShrinkingseason 2, Ford currently stars as Jacob Dutton in theYellowstonespinoff1923. Before these two roles, however, Ford had never played a main character in a TV show. Sure, the actor has appeared in several shows likeThe F.B.I., Gunsmoke, and evenThe Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, but the roles were limited guest appearances. The actor made a name for himself in major movie roles, so it’s not surprising that he was nearly cast as one of the most popular superhero characters ever created, a fact evenShrinkingpoked fun at.
Jimmy’s Batman Reference In Shrinking Season 2 Calls Back To Harrison Ford Being Considered For Tim Burton’s 1989 Movie
Ford Was One Of Many Names Considered For The Role Of Bruce Wayne
Midway throughShrinkingseason 2’s “Made You Look,” Jimmy discusses Sean’s situation with Paul and suggests they work together. Though they have very different approaches as therapists, helping Sean is the primary goal. Jimmy mentions the idea by saying they should work together as a “team like Batman and Robin.” He then hilariously adds that Paul can be Batman, saying, “You already sound like him,” pointing out Ford’s grizzled voice that has a distinct Batman-like tone. Interestingly enough,Ford was considered to play Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 movie.
Shrinking Season 2 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song From Every Episode
The soundtrack is a vital part of Apple TV+’s Shrinking season 2 as Jimmy, Paul, Gaby, and the rest of the characters navigate new challenges.
After Jimmy highlights Paul’s Batman characteristics, Ford’s character tells his colleague that he “will make him pay” for the comment. Jimmy counters by saying the response is something the real Batman would’ve said, further reiterating thatPaul is alreadyShrinking’s version of the Dark Knight. Ford, on the other hand, was one of the many names considered for Burton’s movie. Seeing as Warner Bros. wanted a notable name, others considered included Kevin Costner, Tom Selleck, Pierce Brosnan, and Mel Gibson.
Why Harrison Ford Wasn’t Cast As Tim Burton’s Batman
Burton Reunited With A Beetlejuice Star
It’s fun to consider how that era of the Caped Crusader would have turned out had someone like Ford been given the role. By the late ’80s, Ford was already a bonafide A-list action star. In addition to playing Han Solo in the originalStar Warstrilogy, Ford notably led theIndiana Jonesfranchise with roles in other movies likeAmerican Graffiti, Apocalypse Now, andBlade Runner. Still,Michael Keaton ended up being cast as Batman, reuniting the actor with Tim Burton after their work onBeetlejuice. The success of their 1988 movie gave WB enough hope that the pair could strike gold again withBatman.
Harrison Ford is officially joining the world of superhero movies with his role in the upcoming MCU movieCaptain America: Brave New Worldas Thunderbolt Ross, aka Red Hulk.
Even though Ford was around a decade older than Keaton, there was no reason to think the actor couldn’t tackle the role of a hardened superhero. As reminded inShrinking, Ford can already nail the gruff voice needed to embody the character. Some ofHarrison Ford’s best movie performances, like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, could be considered heroes who don’t shy away from dangerous situations. He may have never had a chance to play Batman, but it’s not hard to envision what Ford’s version would have been like had he been cast.
