Iconic Movie Roles That Were Almost Played by Someone Else

Casting directors often have to make difficult decisions that can completely alter the trajectory of a film and the career of an actor. Many famous characters were originally intended for different performers who turned down the parts or could not commit due to scheduling conflicts. It is fascinating to imagine how legendary movies would have looked with alternate leading stars. The history of cinema is filled with these intriguing “what if” scenarios involving some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Will Smith was approached by the Wachowskis to play the role of Neo but turned it down to make ‘Wild Wild West’ instead. He later admitted that he did not fully understand the complex concept of the film at the time. Keanu Reeves accepted the part and became an action icon through his dedication to the film’s martial arts training. Smith has graciously stated that Reeves was the perfect choice for the role.

‘Titanic’ (1997)

Matthew McConaughey was the studio’s top choice to play Jack Dawson and even auditioned with Kate Winslet. James Cameron insisted on casting Leonardo DiCaprio despite initial resistance from production executives. The chemistry between DiCaprio and Winslet became legendary and helped the film become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. McConaughey went on to have a stellar career but missed out on this specific pop culture phenomenon.

‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)

John Travolta was the first choice to play the slow-witted but kind-hearted Forrest Gump. He declined the role to star in ‘Pulp Fiction’ which revitalized his career in a different way. Tom Hanks took the part and delivered a performance that earned him a second consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor. Travolta has since acknowledged that passing on the film was a mistake.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Michelle Pfeiffer was the first choice for the role of FBI trainee Clarice Starling. She turned down the project because she found the script too dark and violent for her taste. Jodie Foster campaigned hard for the part and eventually delivered an Oscar-winning performance. The film remains one of the few horror movies to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

‘Star Wars’ (1977)

Al Pacino was offered the role of Han Solo but declined because he did not understand the script. The part of the charming smuggler eventually went to Harrison Ford who was working as a carpenter on the set. Ford brought a rugged charisma to the character that defined his career for decades. Pacino missed the chance to be part of one of the biggest franchises in cinema history.

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)

Tom Selleck was cast as Indiana Jones and was ready to shoot the film. He was forced to drop out because the network would not release him from his contract for the television show ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Harrison Ford stepped in less than a month before filming began to secure the role. Selleck later did an episode of his show that parodied the character he almost played.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf along with a significant percentage of the box office profits. He turned it down because he did not understand the fantasy elements of the story. Ian McKellen accepted the role and received universal acclaim for his portrayal of the wise wizard. Connery effectively walked away from a payday that would have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

‘Avatar’ (2009)

Matt Damon was offered the lead role of Jake Sully by James Cameron. The director also offered him ten percent of the film’s profits which would have resulted in a massive fortune. Damon had to decline because he was committed to finishing the ‘Bourne’ franchise. Sam Worthington was cast instead and the film became a groundbreaking visual spectacle.

‘Gravity’ (2013)

Angelina Jolie was originally attached to star in this intense space thriller. She eventually left the project and Sandra Bullock took over the role of Dr. Ryan Stone. Bullock received an Oscar nomination for her physically demanding performance which required mostly solo acting. The film was praised for its technical achievements and gripping direction.

‘Iron Man 2’ (2010)

Emily Blunt was cast as Black Widow but had to withdraw due to a contractual obligation to film ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. Scarlett Johansson campaigned for the role and dyed her hair red to convince the producers. Johansson went on to play the character in multiple films across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Blunt has since expressed regret over the scheduling conflict that forced her to leave.

‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Jack Nicholson was approached to play Michael Corleone but passed on the opportunity. He believed that the role should be played by an Italian actor to maintain authenticity. Al Pacino was cast despite studio executives preferring a more established star at the time. The decision launched Pacino into superstardom and resulted in one of the greatest performances in film history.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Frank Sinatra was contractually offered the role of John McClane because the film was a sequel to ‘The Detective’. The seventy-year-old singer turned it down and the role was offered to several other action stars. Bruce Willis was eventually cast despite being known primarily as a comedic television actor. The film established Willis as a premier action hero and redefined the genre.

‘Jerry Maguire’ (1996)

Tom Hanks was the original choice for the role of the sports agent undergoing a moral epiphany. He was busy directing ‘That Thing You Do!’ and felt he was too old for the part. Tom Cruise took the role and delivered one of his most energetic and memorable performances. The film is now considered a classic romantic comedy with endless quotable lines.

‘Footloose’ (1984)

Tom Cruise was cast as Ren McCormack after his impressive audition tape. He had to drop out of the production because he was still filming ‘All the Right Moves’. Kevin Bacon took over the role and it became his breakout performance. The film is now synonymous with Bacon and his iconic warehouse dance scene.

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly and spent weeks filming the movie. Director Robert Zemeckis felt that Stoltz gave a performance that was too serious for the film’s comedic tone. Michael J. Fox was brought in to replace him and reshot the scenes during nights and weekends. Fox’s charm and energy were essential to the film’s massive success.

‘Batman’ (1989)

Bill Murray was considered for the role of Bruce Wayne when the film was envisioned as a more campy production. Fans were skeptical when Michael Keaton was eventually cast due to his background in comedy. Keaton silenced critics with a brooding performance that brought a darker tone to the character. Murray later joked that he would have made a great Batman.

‘X-Men’ (2000)

Dougray Scott was cast as Wolverine and was set to begin filming. Production delays on ‘Mission: Impossible 2’ forced him to drop out of the superhero movie. Hugh Jackman was a last-minute replacement who was relatively unknown at the time. Jackman defined the role for nearly two decades and became a global superstar.

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ (2015)

Charlie Hunnam was initially cast as Christian Grey but withdrew shortly before production began. He cited a busy schedule and overwhelming public attention as reasons for his departure. Jamie Dornan stepped in to play the mysterious billionaire alongside Dakota Johnson. The franchise was a commercial success despite negative critical reviews.

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Will Smith was offered the title role but requested changes to the script regarding the ending. He wanted his character to kill the villain rather than the supporting character played by Christoph Waltz. Quentin Tarantino refused to change the script and cast Jamie Foxx instead. Foxx received praise for his intense portrayal of the vengeful former slave.

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

Britney Spears auditioned for the role of Allie Hamilton and was a top contender. Rachel McAdams ultimately won the part and created undeniable chemistry with Ryan Gosling. The film became a beloved romantic drama that retains a massive cult following. Casting tapes of Spears later surfaced and showed she gave a surprisingly emotional audition.

‘American Psycho’ (2000)

Leonardo DiCaprio was briefly attached to star as Patrick Bateman which caused the director Mary Harron to leave the project. DiCaprio eventually left to film ‘The Beach’ and Harron returned to the director’s chair. She insisted on casting Christian Bale who had been her original choice from the beginning. Bale’s terrifying and charismatic performance became a defining moment in his career.

‘Thor’ (2011)

Alexander Skarsgard was a top contender for the role of the God of Thunder. He auditioned in full costume and was very close to landing the part. Chris Hemsworth ultimately secured the role and became a central figure in the Avengers franchise. Skarsgard later found success with other major projects like ‘True Blood’ and ‘Big Little Lies’.

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)

John Krasinski was in the final stages of auditioning for the role of Steve Rogers. He realized he was not right for the part after seeing Chris Hemsworth in his Thor costume on set. Chris Evans was hesitant to accept the role but eventually agreed. Evans perfectly embodied the moral compass of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years.

‘Casino Royale’ (2006)

Henry Cavill was the runner-up to play James Bond in the franchise reboot. The producers felt he was slightly too young for the gritty version of the character they wanted. Daniel Craig was cast and brought a raw intensity that revitalized the series. Cavill later became a star in his own right as Superman in ‘Man of Steel’.

‘Misery’ (1990)

Bette Midler was offered the role of the obsessed fan Annie Wilkes. She turned it down because she did not want to play a villain who mutilates people. Kathy Bates took the role and won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Midler later admitted that passing on the role was a foolish decision.

‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012)

Anne Hathaway was originally cast as Tiffany Maxwell but left due to creative differences with the director. Jennifer Lawrence stepped in and delivered a performance that won her an Academy Award. The film highlighted the chemistry between Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Hathaway went on to win an Oscar the same year for ‘Les Misérables’.

‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Mel Gibson was the first choice to play the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius. He declined the role because he felt he was getting too old for intense action movies. Russell Crowe accepted the part and won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film revived the historical epic genre and remains a cinematic classic.

‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)

Tom Cruise met with Tim Burton to discuss playing the title character. Cruise reportedly asked too many logical questions about how the character functioned in daily life. Burton decided to cast Johnny Depp who understood the emotional core of the outsider character. The film launched a long and successful creative partnership between Depp and Burton.

‘The Terminator’ (1984)

O.J. Simpson was considered for the role of the cyborg assassin. James Cameron reportedly felt that Simpson was too nice to be believable as a ruthless killer. Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally up for the role of Kyle Reese but was switched to the villain. Schwarzenegger’s imposing physique and monotone delivery made the character an icon.

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)

Marilyn Monroe was the author’s first choice to play Holly Golightly. She turned down the role on the advice of her acting coach who thought playing a call girl would damage her image. Audrey Hepburn was cast and made the character a fashion and cultural icon. The film is now inseparable from Hepburn’s elegant performance.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Shirley Temple was the studio’s preferred choice for the role of Dorothy Gale. However, the deal fell through due to contract negotiations with her home studio. Judy Garland was cast instead and her vocal performance became legendary. It is impossible to imagine the film without Garland’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”

‘Dr. No’ (1962)

Cary Grant was the dream choice to play James Bond in the first film of the series. He was only willing to commit to one film rather than a franchise. Sean Connery was cast as a relatively unknown actor and defined the spy genre. Grant’s refusal allowed the series to build a long-term continuity with a consistent lead.

‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)

Sylvester Stallone was originally attached to star as Axel Foley. He rewrote the script to be a serious action movie rather than a comedy. The budget increased due to his changes and he eventually left the project. Eddie Murphy was brought in and his comedic improvisation made the film a massive hit.

‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)

Harrison Ford was offered the role of Oskar Schindler by Steven Spielberg. He declined because he felt his star power would distract audiences from the importance of the story. Liam Neeson was cast as a relatively fresh face to American audiences. Neeson’s powerful performance earned him an Academy Award nomination.

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Daniel Day-Lewis aggressively pursued the role of Vincent Vega. Quentin Tarantino preferred John Travolta and fought for him to get the part. The role resurrected Travolta’s career and earned him an Oscar nomination. Day-Lewis remains one of the few roles the acclaimed method actor wanted but did not get.

‘Clueless’ (1995)

Sarah Michelle Gellar was offered the lead role of Cher Horowitz. She had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts with her soap opera ‘All My Children’. Alicia Silverstone was cast after the director saw her in an Aerosmith music video. Gellar later found her own iconic role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

‘Ghost’ (1990)

Bruce Willis was offered the role of Sam Wheat to star opposite his wife Demi Moore. He declined because he did not think playing a ghost would work on screen. Patrick Swayze took the role and the film became the highest-grossing movie of that year. Willis later admitted he was a “knucklehead” for turning it down.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

Jason Momoa auditioned for the role of Drax the Destroyer. He passed on the project because he wanted to avoid being typecast as a brute. Dave Bautista, a former wrestler, took the role and displayed surprising comedic timing. Momoa later joined the DC Universe as Aquaman.

‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)

Joaquin Phoenix was in final negotiations to play the Sorcerer Supreme. He eventually backed out because he was uncomfortable with the multi-film contract required by Marvel. Benedict Cumberbatch was the studio’s original interest and they adjusted the schedule to secure him. Phoenix later won an Oscar for his role in ‘Joker’.

Please share which of these alternate castings you would have loved to see in the comments.