Actors Who Turned Down Oscar Winning Roles

Casting is often a delicate alchemy where timing and instinct play pivotal roles in shaping cinematic history. Many famous actors have passed on iconic scripts that eventually led their replacements to Academy Award glory. These decisions are frequently caused by scheduling conflicts or simple disinterest in the source material. The following list highlights performers who missed out on roles that earned their colleagues the industry’s highest honor.

John Travolta

John Travolta was the top choice to play the titular character in ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994). He declined the role to star in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994) which ironically competed against the film at the Oscars. Tom Hanks eventually took the part and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. Travolta has since admitted that passing on the script was a significant mistake in his career. The film became a massive cultural phenomenon that solidified Hanks as a Hollywood legend.

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds was offered the role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in ‘Terms of Endearment’ (1983). He turned it down to star in ‘Stroker Ace’ (1983) which ended up being a critical and commercial failure. The role went to Jack Nicholson who delivered a charming performance that won him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Reynolds later acknowledged this decision as one of the biggest regrets of his professional life. Nicholson’s chemistry with Shirley MacLaine became a defining element of the acclaimed dramedy.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer was the director’s first choice to play FBI trainee Clarice Starling in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). She passed on the project because she found the subject matter too dark and disturbing. Jodie Foster lobbied hard for the role and eventually secured it to great acclaim. Foster won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the film swept the major categories that year. Pfeiffer’s decision opened the door for one of the most celebrated female performances in cinema history.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts was offered the lead role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in ‘The Blind Side’ (2009). She declined the script because she was not interested in the material at that time. Sandra Bullock accepted the part and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film became a massive box office success and showcased Bullock in a dramatic light. Roberts missed out on a biographical drama that became a significant award season favorite.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock was approached to star as Maggie Fitzgerald in ‘Million Dollar Baby’ (2004). She attempted to get the film made earlier but scheduling conflicts eventually forced her to step away. Hilary Swank took over the role of the determined boxer and underwent a grueling physical transformation. Swank won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for the gritty performance. Bullock later found her own Oscar success but this particular opportunity slipped through her fingers.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was offered the lead role of Maximus Decimus Meridius in ‘Gladiator’ (2000). He turned down the epic historical drama because he felt he was too old for the action-heavy part. Russell Crowe was subsequently cast and his portrayal propelled him to global superstardom. Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his intense and emotional performance. The film revitalized the sword and sandal genre and won Best Picture.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon was originally attached to direct and star in ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016). He had to step aside due to scheduling conflicts with ‘The Martian’ (2015) and passed the lead role to his childhood friend Casey Affleck. Affleck delivered a haunting portrayal of grief that earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Damon remained on the project as a producer and supported Affleck throughout the awards campaign. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern drama thanks to the lead performance.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway was originally cast as Tiffany Maxwell in ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012). She left the project due to creative differences with director David O. Russell regarding the vision for the character. Jennifer Lawrence replaced her and brought a unique energy that captivated audiences and critics. Lawrence won the Academy Award for Best Actress at just 22 years old. Hathaway won her own Oscar the same year for a supporting role in a different film.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery was offered the role of the brilliant but cannibalistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). He read the script and reportedly found it revolting and refused to be associated with the project. Anthony Hopkins accepted the part and created one of the most terrifying villains in screen history. Hopkins won the Academy Award for Best Actor despite having limited screen time. Connery’s rejection paved the way for a performance that remains a cultural touchstone.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino was offered the role of Ted Kramer in the domestic drama ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ (1979). He turned it down because he did not feel a connection to the script at the time. Dustin Hoffman took the role and his portrayal of a father learning to raise his son alone was deeply moving. Hoffman won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for the film. Pacino has since noted that this was a role he probably should have accepted.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase was considered for the role of Lester Burnham in ‘American Beauty’ (1999). The comedic actor turned down the opportunity to play the suburban father in a midlife crisis. Kevin Spacey was cast instead and delivered a performance that anchored the dark satire. Spacey won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the film won Best Picture. Chase missed a rare chance to pivot into a highly acclaimed dramatic role.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver was the first choice to play Ada McGrath in ‘The Piano’ (1993). She passed on the role to take a break from work and focus on her personal life. Holly Hunter stepped into the part of the mute pianist and learned to play the instrument for the film. Hunter won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her intense and wordless performance. Weaver’s decision allowed Hunter to deliver one of the most praised acting feats of the nineties.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson was attached to star as Mia Dolan in the musical ‘La La Land’ (2016). Negotiations broke down over logistical demands and she eventually moved on to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017). Emma Stone replaced her and developed incredible chemistry with co-star Ryan Gosling. Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in the colorful musical. The film became a massive critical darling that dominated the awards season conversation.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone was offered the lead role of Luke Martin in ‘Coming Home’ (1978). He declined the part of the paralyzed Vietnam veteran to work on other projects. Jon Voight accepted the role and delivered a sensitive performance that resonated with audiences. Voight won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal. Stallone missed the chance to star in this poignant examination of the post-war experience.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler turned down the role of the obsessive fan Annie Wilkes in ‘Misery’ (1990). She refused the part because she did not want to play a villain who inflicts violence. Kathy Bates accepted the role and turned the character into a terrifying horror icon. Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her chilling performance. Midler later expressed regret for turning down what became a career-defining role for Bates.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett was offered the role of Leticia Musgrove in ‘Monster’s Ball’ (2001). She turned it down because she found the script’s sexual content demeaning. Halle Berry accepted the part and delivered a raw and emotional performance. Berry made history by becoming the first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Bassett stood by her decision regarding the creative content despite the film’s award success.

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen was offered the role of Randle McMurphy in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975). He passed on the project which allowed Jack Nicholson to step into the lead. Nicholson’s energetic and rebellious performance is often cited as one of the greatest in cinema history. He won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for the film. McQueen missed out on being the face of a movie that swept the top five Oscar categories.

Cary Grant

Cary Grant was pursued for the role of Professor Henry Higgins in ‘My Fair Lady’ (1964). He refused the part and famously told the producers that he would not even watch the film if Rex Harrison was not cast. Harrison reprised his stage role and brought his signature sophistication to the screen. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. Grant’s insistence ensured that the original stage actor received his due recognition.

Paul Newman

Paul Newman was offered the title role in the historical epic ‘Ben-Hur’ (1959). He turned it down because he did not want to wear a tunic again after his experience in a previous biblical film. Charlton Heston took the lead and carried the massive production on his shoulders. Heston won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the film set a record for most Oscar wins. Newman passed on one of the most commercially successful films ever made.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere was offered the role of the ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko in ‘Wall Street’ (1987). He passed on the script and Michael Douglas was subsequently cast in the villainous role. Douglas created an iconic character that symbolized the excesses of the eighties. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his commanding performance. Gere missed the opportunity to deliver one of the most quotable lines in movie history.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray was considered for the role of Raymond Babbitt in ‘Rain Man’ (1988). Dustin Hoffman eventually took the part of the autistic savant after diligent research. Hoffman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his transformative work. Murray missed out on a dramatic role that proved to be a box office smash. The film remains a touchstone for character-driven dramas from that era.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson was attached to play the title role in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ (2012) for several years. He eventually withdrew from the project because he felt he had grown too old for the part. Daniel Day-Lewis was cast and immersed himself in the role with his signature method approach. Day-Lewis won his third Academy Award for Best Actor for the performance. Neeson’s departure allowed for a casting choice that is now considered definitive.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford turned down the role of CIA operative Bob Barnes in ‘Syriana’ (2005). He declined the part which was then offered to George Clooney. Clooney gained significant weight and grew a beard to disappear into the character. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the geopolitical thriller. Ford later noted that he regretted passing on the complex material.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman was the original choice to play Hanna Schmitz in ‘The Reader’ (2008). She had to drop out of the production after discovering she was pregnant. Kate Winslet replaced her and delivered a powerful performance spanning decades. Winslet won the Academy Award for Best Actress after several previous nominations. The role finally secured Winslet her long-awaited Oscar victory.

Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman was interested in playing Christy Brown in ‘My Left Foot’ (1989). However, Daniel Day-Lewis was cast and became legendary for his extreme method acting on set. Day-Lewis refused to leave his wheelchair during production to stay in character. He won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for the physical and emotional performance. Hoffman missed the chance to play the artist and writer afflicted with cerebral palsy.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton was offered the role of lawyer Andrew Beckett in ‘Philadelphia’ (1993). He passed on the project and the role went to Tom Hanks. Hanks delivered a heartbreaking performance as a man fighting a wrongful termination suit while battling AIDS. He won the first of his back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor. Keaton missed being part of a groundbreaking film that shifted public perception on the HIV/AIDS crisis.

James Caan

James Caan was another actor who turned down the role of Randle McMurphy in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975). He stated in interviews that he did not find the script interesting at the time. Jack Nicholson’s eventual performance defined the anti-authoritarian spirit of the era. Nicholson won the Oscar and Caan missed out on a career-defining hit. The film remains one of the few to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan was considered for the role of Clarice Starling in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). She turned down the opportunity because the material was too gruesome for her taste. Jodie Foster stepped in and created a strong female protagonist that resonated with audiences. Foster won the Oscar for Best Actress and solidified her status as a dramatic heavyweight. Ryan continued her reign in romantic comedies but missed this dramatic pivot.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis was offered the lead role of Andrew Beckett in ‘Philadelphia’ (1993). He turned it down to work on ‘In the Name of the Father’ (1993) instead. Tom Hanks accepted the role and won the Oscar that year while Day-Lewis was nominated in the same category. Both actors delivered incredible performances in their respective films. Day-Lewis chose a project closer to his Irish heritage over the American legal drama.

Chloë Sevigny

Chloë Sevigny was offered the role of Brandon Teena in ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ (1999). She declined the lead part but accepted a supporting role in the film instead. Hilary Swank was cast as the lead and delivered a stunning breakthrough performance. Swank won the Academy Award for Best Actress while Sevigny received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Swank’s win launched her career as a major dramatic talent.

Tell us which of these casting changes you think had the biggest impact on cinema history in the comments.