Batman Almost Starred Lyle Waggoner and Peter Deyell. Holy Miscast!

I love seeing the original actors considered for different roles for TV series' and movies. For the 1989 Batman movie Sean Young was originally cast as Vicki Vale, but that role was won by Kim Basinger after Sean broke her arm falling off a horse before filming. Annette Bening was originally cast as Catwoman in Batman Returns, but lost the role to Michelle Pfeiffer when Annette became pregnant before filming began. Last but not least Renee Russo was cast as Chase Meridan when it originally looked like Michael Keaton was going to play Batman a third time in Batman Forever, but when Michael dropped out and Val Kilmer took over Nicole Kidman took over for Renee.

Well, the Batman TV series was no different. The producers had the roles Of Batman and Robin down to being played by Adam West and Burt Ward or Lyle Waggoner (who later went on to plat Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman) and Peter Deyell. Guess we all know who ended winning the parts. Here's a look at the screen test that were done for both sets of actors.



Check out Batman costume. It had the old version of the bat symbol on his chest before changing to the new yellow signal behind it. Just recently changed in the comics back then.



I love Peter Deyell's stunt audition better than Burt's, of course I can't break a board with my bare hands, but Peter's stunt fight is almost better and more exciting than the original bat fights on the show.

Here is the same footage of both screen tests inter-cut.



Do you think the producers made the right choice?