 According to a Playboy interview with Robin Williams (I) (qv),  Jack Nicholson (qv) was offered the role of The Joker first. When  Nicholson kept delaying his answer, Williams was offered the role.  The producers immediately turned around and informed Nicholson that  Williams was considering the offer, and Nicholson accepted. Williams  has remained bitter about being "used as bait". See trivia for  _Batman Forever (1995)_ (qv).