Actors Who Got Rejected from Major Roles but Landed Even Bigger Ones

Sometimes a no opens the door to the role that changes everything. These stars missed out on headline parts that many actors dream about, then came back with projects that defined their careers and pushed them into a new league. Here are the stories behind the near misses and the wins that followed.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill was a finalist to play James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’ and lost the part to Daniel Craig. He was also considered for Edward in ‘Twilight’ before aging out of the role during development. Soon after, he became Superman in ‘Man of Steel’ and led the fantasy hit ‘The Witcher’. Those parts turned him into a global franchise star with a devoted fan base.

John Krasinski

John Krasinski screen tested in the Captain America suit for ‘Captain America’ and did not get the role. The part went to Chris Evans after Marvel’s final decision. Krasinski then reinvented himself with ‘A Quiet Place’ as star and director and led the spy series ‘Jack Ryan’. The pivot established him as both a box office draw and a reliable action lead.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston auditioned to play Thor during Marvel’s early casting process and was passed over. Chris Hemsworth ultimately took the hammer after screen tests. Hiddleston was cast as Loki in ‘Thor’ and became one of the most popular characters in the Marvel lineup. His solo series ‘Loki’ expanded that success across multiple seasons.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot auditioned for the Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’ and did not book the role of Camille. The producers chose Olga Kurylenko after final reads. Gadot later won the lead in ‘Wonder Woman’ and anchored the character across multiple DC films. The role made her a household name and a leading action star.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan read for the role of Finn in ‘Star Wars’ and the part went to John Boyega. He later headlined ‘Creed’ and reenergized the boxing franchise with a new generation story. He also played Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ in a performance that became a cultural touchpoint. Those roles confirmed his status as a major leading man.

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield auditioned for ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ to play Prince Caspian and was told the team wanted a different look. He went on to wear the suit in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ and brought the character back in a multiverse return that delighted audiences. He then shifted into prestige projects like ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and ‘Tick Tick Boom’. The combination of superhero work and awards roles broadened his reach.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence went out for Bella Swan in ‘Twilight’ and did not land the part. She then secured the lead in ‘The Hunger Games’ which launched a massive franchise. Soon after, she won an Academy Award for ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. The sequence turned her into one of the most in demand actors of her generation.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt was originally the top choice for ‘Iron Man 2’ as Black Widow and could not take it due to a scheduling conflict. The role went to Scarlett Johansson and Blunt moved on to other projects. She then built a run of signature roles with ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and ‘A Quiet Place’. Those films positioned her as a versatile star in action and suspense.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown faced early rejections including a failed audition for a small part in ‘Game of Thrones’. She considered quitting acting before a final round of pilot season. Then she booked Eleven in ‘Stranger Things’ which became a defining hit. The show launched a film career and major brand partnerships.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson has spoken about unsuccessful auditions for ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Star Wars’. She kept working through indie films and television while continuing to test for larger roles. She broke through with ‘Room’ and won an Academy Award. Soon after, she became the title hero in ‘Captain Marvel’ and joined the Marvel lineup.

Dev Patel

Dev Patel auditioned for the lead role Tony in ‘Skins’ and did not get it. He was instead cast as Anwar which gave him on set experience and exposure. That work led directly to ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ where he took the lead and the film won multiple major awards. He followed with acclaimed turns in ‘Lion’ and ‘The Green Knight’.

Regé-Jean Page

Regé-Jean Page was reportedly in the mix for the lead lineage on ‘Krypton’ and was not selected. Casting decisions favored a different direction for the character’s family line. Page then took center stage in ‘Bridgerton’ where he became an international breakout. The role opened doors to high profile films and franchise opportunities.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal tested for ‘Moulin Rouge’ and the part went to Ewan McGregor after musical reads. He was also on standby to replace Tobey Maguire in ‘Spider-Man 2’ before the original star returned. Gyllenhaal then delivered career peaks with ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and ‘Nightcrawler’. Those performances cemented his reputation as a leading actor with range.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland auditioned for ‘Star Wars’ and did not advance after a famous droid scene read. Shortly after, Marvel cast him as the new Spider-Man starting with ‘Captain America Civil War’. He became the face of multiple ‘Spider-Man’ films and appeared across the Marvel slate. The role turned him into a global box office fixture.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson missed out on several big projects after early success and even had a film scene cut from a period drama at the last minute. He then shifted toward daring independent films like ‘Good Time’ and ‘The Lighthouse’. That run led to the cowl in ‘The Batman’ where he relaunched the character with a fresh take. The move balanced franchise leadership with respected art house credibility.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali auditioned for roles on large genre series and did not book them during early career phases. He kept building credits across television and film with steady character work. He then won Oscars for ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Green Book’ which transformed his career trajectory. He later secured the title role in Marvel’s upcoming ‘Blade’.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld experienced a string of near misses after her debut and saw big franchise reads go to other actors. She stayed active with varied roles and voice work. She then anchored ‘Bumblebee’ and joined Marvel as Kate Bishop in ‘Hawkeye’. The dual path in live action and animation expanded her audience across ages.

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya was rejected for early Hollywood parts while transitioning from British television. He continued sharpening his craft with anthology work and stage projects. He broke through with ‘Get Out’ and later won an Academy Award for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Those successes established him as a powerful leading presence.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas lost out on several English language roles while learning lines phonetically. She kept auditioning and improved her fluency while taking smaller parts. She then stole scenes in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and carried ‘Knives Out’ as the emotional center. Those turns led to high profile leads and major franchise entries.

Zendaya

Zendaya faced passes for film roles as she transitioned from Disney projects. She maintained momentum with music and television while targeting prestige material. She then became MJ in ‘Spider-Man’ and led ‘Euphoria’ to major awards attention. The combination positioned her as a cross platform star with wide reach.

Share your favorite story of a missed role that turned into a bigger win in the comments.