 Only days before the role of Batman was cast, eight actors were  asked to audition for the part. The actors were  Christian Bale (qv), Joshua Jackson (qv), Eion Bailey (qv),  Hugh Dancy (qv), Billy Crudup (qv), Cillian Murphy (qv),  Henry Cavill (qv) and Jake Gyllenhaal (qv). While Bale won the  part, Christopher Nolan (I) (qv) liked Murphys audition so much,  he cast him as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow.