VIDEO : John Lithgow Discusses Turning Down The Joker Role

In a recent interview with Den of Geek, 71 year old actor John Lithgow said he was approached by Tim Burton to play Batman's arch-nemesis, the Joker, in his 1989 movie based on the DC Comics character. According to Lithgow, Burton personally contacted the actor to ask his to portray the Clown Prince of Crime. However, Lithgow said, "I tried to persuade him I was not right for the part and I succeeded. I didn't realise it was such a big deal." The role famously went to Jack Nicholson, who won numerous plaudits for his portrayal of the Joker. Lithgow said he may have underestimated what a huge film 'Batman' was going to be.