Fans may wonder what Gregory Peck or Marilyn Monroe would look like hidden behind a superhero mask, with colorful tights and a flowing cape. Audiences can see Golden Era stars in a wide variety of genres, from film noir and Westerns to musicals and Biblical epics. Even though there were comic book films made during the twentieth century, the genre truly did not come into its own until the dawn of the twenty-first century.
Therefore, the world never got to see many of the greatest stars tackle the comic book genre. There are countless stars from the Golden Era who were tailor-made for a comic book film.
10 Maureen O'Hara Would Have Brought Her Trademark Physicality To The Role Of Black Widow
Expert spy Black Widow is a world-renowned martial artist and weapons master who has been portrayed on the big screen by Scarlett Johansson. While Johansson is a fantastic actor who has been nominated for multiple Oscars, many of Black Widow's stunts are performed by Heidi Moneymaker.
Working in an era where prominent action roles were rare for women, Maureen O'Hara excelled in the Western and action/adventure genres. She demanded to do as much of her own stunt work as possible. O'Hara's trademark physicality can be seen in films such as McLintock! or swashbucklers such as The Black Swan. The combination of her infamous red hair, the strength she exuded in her performances, and her insistence on doing her own stunts would have made O'Hara an ideal choice for Black Widow.
9 Femme Fatale Icon Lauren Bacall Is A Perfect Fit For Talia Al Ghul
Lauren Bacall exploded onto the scene in the 1940s in a string of film noir classics such as The Big Sleep and Key Largo. In a short amount of time, Bacall became the embodiment of the prototypical femme fatale with her sensual presence and husky voice.
Talia al Ghul is one of DC Comics' greatest femme fatale characters, causing Batman much heartache as he struggles to grapple with his feelings for Talia, despite their drastically different philosophies on morality. The way Lauren Bacall toyed with Humphrey Bogart in all those noirs echoes how she would torment Batman in a comic book film.
8 Edward G. Robinson's Short Stature But Intimidating Presence Makes Him A Clear-Cut Choice For Penguin
One of the most versatile actors of the Golden Era, Edward G. Robinson is best remembered for his tough-guy gangster roles in films such as Little Caesar. Despite being only 5' 4", Robinson was an intimidating presence on screen that demanded respect through fear.
Penguin is a short, heavy-set mobster who is constantly smoking. Robinson fit the bill and was constantly smoking in his films. This is most memorable in Double Indemnity where he persistently lights his matches in unforgettable ways. Robinson would have done a brilliant job portraying Penguin.
7 Dignity Would Be The Key To Sidney Poitier's Performance As Black Panther
The first word that comes to mind when thinking of Chadwick Boseman's incredible performance in Black Panther is dignity. Every single moment Boseman is on-screen, he emanates honor and respect.
Sidney Poitier manifested dignified performances throughout his entire career. Films such as Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, and The Defiant Ones all feature virtuous performances from Poitier. He would maintain Black Panther's dignified presence on-screen.
6 Marilyn Monroe Would Channel Her Comedic And Dramatic Abilities In The Role Of Harley Quinn
When executed properly, the role of Harley Quinn can be one of emotional complexity. As seen in titles such as Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn can provide humorous comic relief while also living in an abusive relationship with Joker.
Marilyn Monroe had her biggest successes in romantic comedies such as Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. However, what history seems to overlook is Monroe's dramatic abilities, which she sadly was not allowed to display often. Her dramatic talents can be seen in films such as Niagara and Don't Bother to Knock and would be useful if she portrayed Harley Quinn.
5 Superman Would Have Been A Quintessential Role For All-American Hero Gregory Peck
With his good looks and morally-righteous film roles, Gregory Peck not only aesthetically epitomizes Superman, but the moral compass of the characters he played also reflects the original intent behind Superman's principles. Upon his creation in 1938, Superman represented truth and justice.
Throughout his career, Peck mostly played heroes, which was seen in films such as Twelve O'Clock High and Cape Fear. However, the roles that made Peck a legend were not simply roles where he played the hero, but roles where he symbolized upstanding morality, such as To Kill A Mockingbird and Gentlemen's Agreement.
4 Kirk Douglas' Ability To Balance Charisma And Rage Would Have Lent Itself Into A Memorable Portrayal Of Two-Face
Kirk Douglas' career is synonymous with hard-boiled roles in films such as Ace in the Hole and The Bad and the Beautiful. His characters usually display charm and ambition but underneath, there is a brewing sense of rage that could explode at any minute.
Films such as Paths of Glory pit Douglas against corrupt officials, offering insight as to why he would make for a great Harvey Dent. His good-guy-gone-bad performances in Champion and Detective Story exhibit how Douglas could perfectly portray Dent's transformation into Two-Face.
3 Catwoman Was Born To Be Played By Hedy Lamarr
One of the most popular movie stars during the 1930s and 1940s, Hedy Lamarr achieved stardom through films such as Algiers, Boom Town, and Samson and Delilah. Lamarr was one of the era's most notable beauty icons alongside Jean Harlow and Mae West.
When Bob Kane co-created Catwoman with Bill Finger in 1940, he looked to Hollywood for inspiration. Amongst those who most heavily influenced the creation of Catwoman were Hedy Lamarr and Jean Harlow. Just by looking at Lamarr, fans can immediately envision her in the role of Catwoman, with her raven-colored hair and femme fatale aura.
2 John Gielgud Would Have Made For Cinema's Definitive Alfred Pennyworth
British butler Alfred Pennyworth is Batman's father figure, a man who provides tough love and invaluable advice to Bruce Wayne. Alfred typically remains calm and collected and is a man of high class and sophistication.
Arguably one of Britain's finest actors, John Gielgud's career spanned eight decades across theater, film, and television. Gielgud's Oscar-winning performance in Arthur, where he plays a father figure butler to Dudley Moore's drunken playboy, astutely demonstrates why Gielgud would have made an iconic Alfred.
1 Richard Widmark Based Tommy Udo On The Joker
Joker is one of the most famous comic book characters ever created. Many talented actors such as Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Mark Hamill have portrayed the chaotic character in an iconic way. However, what many people may not know is that Richard Widmark played killer Tommy Udo in his film debut, who he based on the Joker.
Widmark gave Udo many of the same characteristics that Joker possesses, including a sinister smile and a cackling laugh. Also like Joker, Udo commits unforgettably horrid crimes. If Widmark got a chance to play the Joker, he would certainly rank right up there with Nicholson, Ledger, and Hamill.