The one role Liam Neeson refused to reprise one last time - and the sad reason why
When it comes to playing comic book villains,
Liam Neeson fans
have already singled out their favorite that the Irishman has embodied.
Unfortunately for them, the
Hollywood superstar
was forced to rule out playing one of his favorite characters for one last time. Neeson first played Ra's al Ghul in 2005's
Batman Begins
movie
. Even though the character was stripped of his comic book immortality and commanded the League of 'Shadows' instead of 'Assassins,' it was still an excellent interpretation of one of the greatest villains in comic history.
Taken star Neeson
returned as the character in a brief vision for 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, and always spoke fondly of his time as 'The Demon's Head.' When IGN asked him if he'd heard about Ra's turning up in Arrow, he surprised fans by said no one had contacted him about the role, but he'd return "in a heartbeat, if it came my way, yeah. Very much so."
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CW president Mark Pedowitz acted on this straight away. He told Buzzfeed: "We quickly went to him, just on the off-chance that he had the time to do it."
The one role Liam Neeson will not be returning to in popular movie.
(Image: Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Neeson's schedule wouldn't allow him to commit to a ten-episode stint on a network show, so he politely refused the part.
It ultimately went to Australian actor Matt Nable, who later reprised the part for an episode of the spinoff show Legends of Tomorrow.
Ra's al Ghul is an immortal eco-terrorist who commanded the fearsome and mysterious League of Assassins.
It is by far not the only role the
Taken
actor wished he could reprise. Liam has opened up about another role he wishes he should have ticked off his list.
Speaking of reprising the role of Michael Collins for a sequel, Liam, 72, lamented to
Collider
: "I'm just too old, but I would love to go back to Michael Collins."
It's hardly surprising Liam is so fond of the role - it earned him a
Golden Globe
nomination for Best Actor in a Drama as the title character in Neil Jordan's 1996 biopic Michael Collins.
He won critical acclaim for his part in the movie, playing the figure who became a leading light in the Irish battle for independence against Britain in the early 20th century.
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