Josh Hartnett turned down roles as Superman, Spider-Man and Batman

In the past decade or so, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield have played Spider-Man, Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill have played Superman and Christian Bale has played Batman. But in a recent interview, Josh Hartnett reveals he could have played any of the three.

Hartnett's name had been tied to rumors about various superhero roles in the past, but nothing every truly materialized. In an interview with Details.com, the actor explains why some of the larger, higher-profile roles caused him to go in another direction. Hartnett had been rumored for Superman in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, but he also revealed Spidey and The Dark Knight were possibilities, too.

"Spider-Man was something we talked about. Batman was another one. I somehow knew those roles had potential to define me, and I didn't want that. I didn't want to be labeled as Superman for the rest of my career. I was maybe 22, but I saw the danger."

But the 35-year-old actor said at this point in his life, he'd be open to the discussion with a studio about putting on a cape or other superhero costume. When asked how he would react if Warner Bros. asked him to do so, he replied with the following:

"I'd say, "Let's talk about how it would be done, see if we can get on the same page." Compromise doesn't scare me anymore."

The actor next appears in the Showtime series Penny Dreadful.

Do you think would have made a good Spider-Man, Superman or Batman? Do you agree with his mentality? Should he take on any superhero roles today? If so, which one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.