Tim Curry, David Bowie, John Lithgow, Brad Dourif, Ray Liotta, and James Woods were all considered for the Joker. Lithgow, during his audition, attempted to talk Burton out of casting him, a decision he would later publicly regret, stating, "I didn't realize it was such a big deal." Burton wanted to cast John Glover, but the studio insisted on using a movie star. Robin Williams lobbied hard for the part. Jack Nicholson had been the studio's top choice since 1980. Peters approached Nicholson as far back as 1986, during filming of The Witches of Eastwick; unlike Keaton, he was a popular choice for his role. Nicholson had what was known as an "off-the-clock" agreement. His contract specified the number of hours he was entitled to have off each day, from the time he left the set to the time he reported back for filming, as well as being off for Los Angeles Lakers home games. Nicholson demanded that all of his scenes be shot in a three-week block, but the schedule lapsed into 106 days. He reduced his standard $10 million fee to $6 million in exchange for a cut of the film's earnings (including associated merchandise), which led to remuneration in excess of $50 million—biographer Marc Eliot reports that Nicholson may have received as much as $90 million. He also demanded top billing on promotional materials.
tim curry david bowie john lithgow brad dourif ray liotta and james woods were all considered for the joker lithgow during his audition attempted to talk burton out of casting him a decision he would later publicly regret stating "i didn't realize it was such a big deal" burton wanted to cast john glover but the studio insisted on using a movie star robin williams lobbied hard for the part jack nicholson had been the studio's top choice since 1980 peters approached nicholson as far back as 1986 during filming of the witches of eastwick; unlike keaton he was a popular choice for his role nicholson had what was known as an "off-the-clock" agreement his contract specified the number of hours he was entitled to have off each day from the time he left the set to the time he reported back for filming as well as being off for los angeles lakers home games nicholson demanded that all of his scenes be shot in a three-week block but the schedule lapsed into 106 days he reduced his standard $10 million fee to $6 million in exchange for a cut of the film's earnings (including associated merchandise) which led to remuneration in excess of $50 million—biographer marc eliot reports that nicholson may have received as much as $90 million he also demanded top billing on promotional materials