In 2003, comic writer Mark Millar wrote an article about a supposed Orson Welles Batman project. According to Millar, Welles had aimed to make a Batman origin story in 1946 with himself as the Dark Knight, George Raft as Harvey Dent, Basil Rathbone as The Joker, Marlene Dietrich as Catwoman, and James Cagney as The Riddler. The project had collapsed due to friction with the studio, who wanted Gregory Peck for the title role instead. The “planned film” was proven to be a hoax, but it is half true in that Welles tried to get a film version of The Shadow made, albeit without success.
Batman by Orson Welles 1946 – What if?
‘The Bat-Man’ Part 1 starring Orson Welles Extended Trailer
‘The Bat-Man’ Part 2 starring Orson Welles Extended Trailer
