The Dark Knight: The Actors Who Almost Played Harvey Dent

The Dark Knight introduced viewers to a new version of Harvey Dent a.k.a. Two-Face, played by Aaron Eckhart, but the character could have been portrayed by other actors, including one that is now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Back in 2005, Christopher Nolan brought a darker, more realistic version of the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins, with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Ra’s al Ghul (played by Liam Neeson) as the main villain. The film was a critical and financial success, making way for two sequels.

The Dark Knight arrived three years later and with the Joker (Heath Ledger) as its villain, but it also introduced another iconic bad guy from Batman’s universe: Two-Face. Given the tone of Nolan’s vision of Batman, this version of Harvey Dent/Two-Face lacked the gimmickry and multiple personalities that the character is mostly known for, instead turning him into a tragic hero. Although Dent met his fate at the end of the film, his legacy played an important role in The Dark Knight Rises, as the “Dent Act” was introduced with the purpose of eradicating Gotham’s organized crime.

Eckhart’s performance as Harvey Dent was praised by critics, and even though it’s now hard to imagine anyone else playing the part, the team behind The Dark Knight had other ideas for the role that might have not had the same impact.

The Dark Knight: Mark Ruffalo Almost Played Harvey Dent

When The Dark Knight was in pre-production, various actors were considered for the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, but only a couple came close to actually getting the part, while others had to turn it down due to different reasons. Among those interested in it were Liev Schreiber, Josh Lucas, and Ryan Phillippe, but nothing beyond being “in talks” for it. Mark Ruffalo, on the other hand, actually auditioned for the role, while Matt Damon had to pass on it due to scheduling conflicts. Another Marvel actor that was considered for the role was Hugh Jackman, but it wasn’t possible either.

Nolan went with Eckhart as he had considered him for the lead role in Memento years back, praising his acting abilities and saying he has “that kind of chiseled, American hero quality” projected by Robert Redford. In the end, Eckhart’s acting style matched the film’s tone and this particular version of the character, which was more of a twisted vigilante as Nolan wanted to emphasize his role as Batman’s counterpart. It’s might be strange to imagine Mark Ruffalo as Two-Face, especially after seeing him as Marvel’s Bruce Banner/Hulk, and the same can be said of Hugh Jackman after all those years playing Wolverine, but in the end, casting Eckhart in The Dark Knight was definitely a wise decision.

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Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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