25 Stars Who Publicly Begged for Roles They Were Wrong For

Hollywood casting is typically handled behind closed doors, with agents and casting directors quietly negotiating deals. However, some actors choose to bypass the traditional route and launch public campaigns to secure a dream part. These stars utilized social media, talk show appearances, and self-produced audition tapes to convince studios they were the perfect fit. Despite their enthusiasm and aggressive lobbying, the following actors were ultimately rejected or ignored by the powers that be.

Sean Young

In perhaps the most infamous casting campaign in Hollywood history, Sean Young went to extreme lengths to land the role of Catwoman in Tim Burton’s ‘Batman Returns’. After losing the role of Vicki Vale in the first film due to an injury, Young believed she was owed a spot in the sequel. She appeared on ‘The Joan Rivers Show’ wearing a homemade Catwoman costume to perform a bizarre, impromptu audition for the director. She even reportedly stalked Burton on the studio lot in the outfit, but the role ultimately went to Michelle Pfeiffer.

Charlie Sheen

Long before Tobey Maguire donned the suit, Charlie Sheen was determined to bring Spider-Man to the big screen. In the early 1990s, Sheen pitched a ‘Spider-Man’ movie to Orion Pictures with himself attached as Peter Parker. He claimed he was the perfect age and temperament for the role, but the studio felt comic book movies had no future. The rights eventually shifted to other studios, and Sheen aged out of the character long before production began.

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop desperately wanted to play the role of Jar Jar Binks in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’. Jackson met with George Lucas and expressed his desire to portray the Gungan using prosthetics and special makeup. Lucas, however, was committed to using CGI technology for the character and feared Jackson’s immense fame would distract audiences from the story. The role went to Ahmed Best, who provided the motion capture and voice work.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson spent years campaigning on social media to play the Green Lantern John Stewart in the DC Extended Universe. He frequently posted fan art of himself in the costume on Instagram and shared updates about meetings with Warner Bros. executives. Despite his persistent “Mission: Green Lantern” hashtag and public pleas, the studio never officially cast him in the role. The DC universe has since undergone multiple reboots without Gibson suiting up.

Lindsay Lohan

Former Disney star Lindsay Lohan utilized Instagram to lobby for the lead role of Ariel in the live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’. She posted side-by-side photos of herself and the animated character, tagging Disney and suggesting Bill Condon as the director. Lohan even offered to have her sister sing the theme song as part of the package deal. Disney ultimately went in a different direction, casting Halle Bailey to bring the underwater princess to life.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams was a massive fan of the ‘Harry Potter’ book series and actively pursued the role of Rubeus Hagrid. He contacted director Chris Columbus and offered to play the half-giant gamekeeper in the first film. However, author J.K. Rowling had instituted a strict “British actors only” rule for the main cast. Despite his star power and comedic talent, Williams was turned down in favor of Robbie Coltrane.

Rosie O’Donnell

Much like Robin Williams, Rosie O’Donnell was a superfan of the Wizarding World and set her sights on playing Molly Weasley. She reportedly called Chris Columbus and offered to take the part for free, hoping her enthusiasm would bypass the casting restrictions. The production team stuck to their mandate for an all-British cast and selected Julie Walters for the role of the Weasley matriarch. O’Donnell later discussed the rejection on her talk show, expressing her disappointment.

Ronda Rousey

UFC fighter turned actress Ronda Rousey made a significant public push to play Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She shared fan art sent by followers and spoke about her desire to play Carol Danvers in numerous interviews. Rousey argued that her fighting background made her the ideal choice for the powerful superhero. Marvel Studios eventually cast Oscar-winner Brie Larson, prioritizing acting experience over combat skills.

Tommy Wiseau

The creator of ‘The Room’ launched a viral campaign to play the Joker, specifically targeting the origin story film directed by Todd Phillips. Wiseau released an audition tape where he donned full clown makeup and recited lines from ‘The Dark Knight’ alongside his friend Greg Sestero. The video was widely circulated online, with fans debating whether his eccentric energy was perfect or terrifying. Joaquin Phoenix was ultimately cast, delivering an Oscar-winning performance that was tonally different from Wiseau’s interpretation.

Dave Bautista

Action star Dave Bautista was vocal about his desire to play the villain Bane in a ‘Batman’ movie. He revealed that he walked into a meeting with Warner Bros. and aggressively demanded the role, telling executives he was the only person for the job. Despite his physical stature and wrestling background, the studio was not casting the character at that time. When James Gunn took over the DC Universe, he indicated a preference for younger actors, effectively closing the door on Bautista’s campaign.

Isaiah Mustafa

Best known as the “Old Spice Guy,” Isaiah Mustafa created a high-quality fake trailer to campaign for the role of Luke Cage. The video showcased his physique and acting chops, hoping to catch the attention of Marvel executives developing the Netflix series. While the fan reaction was positive, the casting directors chose Mike Colter for the title role. Mustafa later appeared in ‘It Chapter Two’, proving his acting ability in a different franchise.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews took to Twitter to campaign for the role of King Triton in the live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’. He posted photos of himself photoshopped as the underwater king and used the hashtag #ArielsGotTerry. His energetic personality and impressive build made him a fan-favorite candidate for a time. Disney eventually cast Javier Bardem, opting for a more traditional dramatic actor for the role of Ariel’s father.

Lizzo

Pop superstar Lizzo made no secret of her desire to play the sea witch Ursula in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’. She posted videos of herself in costume singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and publicly tweeted at Disney to consider her. While her vocal talent was undeniable, the studio cast Melissa McCarthy as the iconic villain. Lizzo later expressed that she had auditioned but didn’t land the part.

Thomas Jane

Thomas Jane, who had previously played the Punisher, campaigned heavily to play Jonah Hex in the live-action adaptation. He went as far as hiring a makeup artist to transform him into the scarred bounty hunter for a photoshoot he sent to the studio. Although he voiced the character in an animated short, the live-action film role went to Josh Brolin. The resulting movie was a critical and commercial failure, potentially saving Jane from a box office bomb.

Stephen Lang

Actor Stephen Lang actively campaigned to play the time-traveling mutant Cable in ‘Deadpool 2’. He posted photos of himself in the gym, highlighting his physical resemblance to the comic book character. Fans rallied behind him, citing his look and intensity as a perfect match for the role. However, the studio cast Josh Brolin, leading to a situation where Brolin played major characters in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Fox X-Men universe simultaneously.

Danny Trejo

Danny Trejo used Twitter to rally his fanbase in hopes of playing the DC alien bounty hunter Lobo. He posted a picture of the character side-by-side with his own photo, declaring he was ready to take on the role. The character’s gritty, biker aesthetic seemed tailored to Trejo’s on-screen persona. Despite the social media buzz, a ‘Lobo’ movie starring Trejo never materialized at Warner Bros.

Vin Diesel

Before the ‘Inhumans’ project was scrapped as a movie and turned into a TV show, Vin Diesel campaigned heavily to play Black Bolt. He posted concept art on Facebook and teased meetings with Marvel about a “non-speaking role.” Diesel eventually voiced Groot in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, satisfying his desire to join the MCU. The role of Black Bolt went to Anson Mount for the television series and subsequent cameo.

Sean Combs

Music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs launched a surprising campaign to become the first Black James Bond. He created his own audition tapes and marketing materials, spending his own money to promote the idea. He claimed the franchise needed a modern update and that he was the right mogul to bring swagger to 007. The producers stuck with Daniel Craig, and the role of Bond has yet to be played by an American actor.

Madonna

Madonna fought hard to secure the lead role in the biopic ‘Frida’, a passion project that had been circulating in Hollywood for years. She was vocal about her desire to play the Mexican painter and viewed herself as a strong artistic match. However, Salma Hayek had been developing the project as a producer and refused to let the role go. Hayek eventually starred in the film, earning an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

Jennifer Lopez

Like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez was aggressively pursuing the role of Frida Kahlo in the biopic ‘Frida’. She publicly expressed her interest and was considered a top contender by some studio executives looking for star power. The competition between the pop stars was widely reported in the press. Ultimately, Salma Hayek’s creative control over the project ensured she retained the lead role.

Courtney Love

Courtney Love campaigned relentlessly for the role of Lisbeth Salander in the American adaptation of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. She felt a personal connection to the troubled, punk-rock hacker and believed she could bring authenticity to the part. Love claimed she sent letters and audition material to director David Fincher. The role required a younger actress, and Rooney Mara was cast, earning an Oscar nomination for her transformation.

Adam Lambert

Singer Adam Lambert publicly stated that he should play Elvis Presley in the biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann. He cited his vocal ability and physical resemblance to the King as reasons he was the superior choice. Lambert argued that he could capture the rock and roll spirit better than a traditional actor. The role went to Austin Butler, who spent years method acting to prepare for the film.

Ryan Potter

Actor Ryan Potter, known for voicing the lead in ‘Big Hero 6’, released a concept fight video to campaign for the role of Tim Drake (Robin) in the DCEU. The video featured Potter performing intricate martial arts choreography and staff fighting, demonstrating his physical capability for the role. He addressed Ben Affleck directly in the video, asking to be his Robin. The DCEU never introduced a live-action Tim Drake during Affleck’s tenure as Batman.

The Big Show

WWE superstar Paul “The Big Show” Wight campaigned for years to play the Kingpin in a ‘Daredevil’ reboot. He argued that he had the massive physical size required for the character without needing special effects or padding. Wight stated in interviews that he was ready to bring a menacing presence to the Marvel villain. The role in the Netflix series went to Vincent D’Onofrio, who was praised for his psychological depth rather than just physical size.

Marilyn Manson

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson actively campaigned for the role of Willy Wonka in Tim Burton’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Manson was a longtime friend of Johnny Depp and expressed a strong desire to bring a darker, stranger energy to the candymaker. He believed his eccentric persona was a perfect match for Roald Dahl’s creation. Burton eventually cast Depp, who played the character with a quirky, isolated demeanor rather than Manson’s gothic style.

Tell us which of these casting choices would have been the biggest disaster in the comments!