Josh Hartnett Finally Addresses Batman, Spider-Man, Superman Casting Rumors

There was a time when Josh Hartnett was one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood who could have easily taken on the role of a major comic book superhero. Remember all those casting rumors where the former Penny Dreadful star was believed to be the next Batman or Superman? Luckily, Hartnett has finally spoken up about the possible casting and it looks like he only turned one role down.

Hartnett recently spoke to Variety where he addressed the old casting rumors. For starters, the Black Hawk Down actor stated that he was never up for the part of Peter Parker, which eventually ended up with Tobey Maguire.

"I didn't turn down Spider-Man. I don't know where that came from," Hartnett said before revealing which role he declined.

"I'd only turned down Superman as a straight-up offer. But I was, at that time of my career, where a lot of people were asking me to do those types of movies," he confessed.

So why say no to such a huge role? Hartnett explained that it just wasn't something he was interested in. "I'm a little bit outside of the box and had the leverage to do that, and that's the direction I chose," he said.

Okay, but how about those rumors that he was going to play Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins? Hartnett explained that director Christopher Nolan didn't even consider him for the part.

"No, Batman wasn't an audition or an offer. It was a conversation with the director," he said. "I think there's a lot of misinformation out there. When you say one thing one time about it, and now it gets blown up."

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like Hartnett was even interested in any of the major comic book roles in the first place. Nevertheless, he appears to be content with the way he has handled his career.

Hartnett will appear in the upcoming Guy Ritchie film Cash Truck, which will also star Jason Statham and Scott Eastwood. The movie has not yet been given an official release date.

Related: Here's Why Robert Pattinson Thinks Batman is the Right Superhero to Play