https://www.metv.com/stories/this-western-actor-was-william-doziers-first-choice-to-play-batman

Here's how Adam West ended up winning the role.

Alan Napier was the first actor cast in Batman (https://www.metv.com/stories/alan-napier-was-the-first-actor-cast-in-batman)

“I had never read comics before I did it,” said Napier.