Hollywood is full of stories about "what could have been," with actors turning down roles that eventually became iconic. Sometimes it's scheduling conflicts or creative differences that drive decisions that alter the course of film history. In this article take a look at 20 actors who said no to iconic roles and the stars who stepped in to make them unforgettable.
1) Will Smith – Neo in The Matrix
Trending
Will Smith recently told an interviewer he turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix because he didn't connect with the concept after he met with the Wachowskis, opting for Wild Wild West instead. Looking back, Smith recognized that Keanu Reeves was perhaps the perfect choice for Neo and joked that he might have destroyed the film. In addition, he told the interviewer that Val Kilmer would be considered for Morpheus if he had accepted the role.
2) Tom Cruise declined Tony Stark/Iron Man
Tom Cruise was considered for the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man before Robert Downey Jr. came along. Cruise, known for his do-it-yourself approach to directing, wanted creative control of the film, but the project wasn't in line with his vision. Additionally, Cruise's massive fee was a risk Marvel was not willing to take on a relatively unknown property. It, however, ultimately went to Robert Downey Jr., whose remarkable portrayal of Tony Stark helped launch the franchise MC
3) Emily Blunt passed on Black Widow in Iron Man 2
Emily Blunt was the first to be set up to play Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in Iron Man 2. However, because of a contractual agreement attached to her deal for The Devil Wears Prada, she had to take Gulliver's Travels. She described the circumstance as a "heartbreaker" because she's very particular about her movies and had been looking forward to working with Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau. Ultimately, it went to Scarlett Johansson, who became iconic as Black Widow .
4) Matt Damon turned down Jake Sully in Avatar
Matt Damon turned down the lead role of Jake Sully in Avatar due to scheduling conflicts with the Bourne series. James Cameron had offered him a rare 10% share of the film's box office revenue, which could have earned Damon over $250 million given Avatar's record-breaking success. Damon later expressed regret over the decision, joking it was the "dumbest thing" he ever turned down. The role ultimately went to Sam Worthington, propelling his career to new heights.
5) Gwyneth Paltrow declined Rose in Titanic
Of course, there was also Gwyneth Paltrow, the head and shoulders actress to play Rose, which she turned down. One would be surprised that she let that one pass since she thinks about it to this day; it's mixed feelings. She said she was very much in contention for that part but passed; the role fell into Kate Winslet's very capable hands, after all. Today, Paltrow says she wishes she hadn't let that go.
6) Leonardo DiCaprio passed on Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
Studio executives had high hopes for DiCaprio after his victory with Titanic. The pay was a whopping $20 million. However, the directors were quite opposed to the idea, as DiCaprio's star status would ruin the dark field of the movie. Actress and activist Gloria Steinem said that he should not do the film as well because of his young fan base. Ultimately, DiCaprio declined, prioritizing The Beach, and Christian Bale took on the now-iconic part, earning critical acclaim.
7) Michelle Pfeiffer rejected Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs
Michelle Pfeiffer once refused to take the role of Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs because she was concerned about the movie's depiction of evil and its ending. She was uneasy with the message, for she cited that the story ended with evil appearing to prevail. The role was later taken on by Jodie Foster, who won an Academy Award for her performance
8) Al Pacino turned down Han Solo in Star Wars
Al Pacino initially declined the role of Han Solo in Star Wars because he hadn't gotten a clue about the script, despite a hefty salary offered to him. At that point, he was basking in the glory of The Godfather and was receiving massive offers for major film roles. Having read the script and receiving advice from a mentor, he passed this opportunity on to Harrison Ford, whose performance as Han Solo became legendary.
9) John Travolta said no to Forrest in Forrest Gump
Initially, John Travolta was in the running for the lead role in Forrest Gump. However, he turned down the opportunity to spare Tom Hanks the embarrassment. John Travolta had other commitments: he was very keen on shooting Pulp Fiction. While Travolta has revealed no regrets regarding that sense of foregone victory, he admits that Hanks' finest performance in Forrest Gump bagged him an Academy Award to seal the final legacy of that film.
10) Sandra Bullock declined Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby
Sandra Bullock was attached to Million Dollar Baby and pitched the film to studios but could not secure financing. Clint Eastwood took over the directing reins and cast Hilary Swank as Maggie Fitzgerald in the lead role. Bullock bowed out due to scheduling conflicts with Miss Congeniality 2. Swank went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, and the film was solidified as a modern classic.
11) Brad Pitt passed on Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity
Brad Pitt was initially considered for the role of Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity (2002), but due to his packed schedule, he ultimately passed on it. He was committed to filming Spy Game with Robert Redford, which led to Matt Damon taking over the iconic role. This decision worked out well for Damon, as the Bourne series became hugely successful, grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide.
12) Julia Roberts rejected Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side
The role that Leigh Anne Tuohy played in The Blind Side was first offered to Julia Roberts, who had to decline because of scheduling conflicts with other commitments. Sandra Bullock was offered the role and not only played Leigh Anne Tuohy but also received great acclaim by way of an Academy Award after playing the real-life character. In fact, according to Leigh Anne Tuohy, Julia Roberts was a natural fit for the role, but time constraints caused her to be replaced.
13) Mel Gibson declined Maximus in Gladiator
The first choice to play Maximus in Gladiator (2000) was Mel Gibson after his successful performance in Braveheart. However, aged 43, he felt that he was old for this physically demanding role and declined the offer. Ridley Scott then cast Russell Crowe, which delivered an iconic Oscar-winning performance. Antonio Banderas and Hugh Jackman were also in the running for the role, but it was Crowe who ultimately brought Maximus to life.
14) Anne Hathaway passed on Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook
Anne Hathaway was initially cast as Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook, a role that would later earn Jennifer Lawrence an Academy Award for Best Actress. However, Hathaway dropped out due to "creative differences" with the film's director, David O. Russell. Initially, there was uncertainty about who could replace her, but Lawrence impressed Russell with her "ageless quality" and emotional presence, ultimately landing the role and delivering an iconic performance.
15) Denzel Washington said no to Detective David Mills in Se7en
Denzel Washington was offered the role of Detective David Mills in Se7en but declined, believing the dark subject matter was not the right fit for him at the time. The role ultimately went to Brad Pitt, whose performance became iconic. Washington later expressed regret, acknowledging that Se7en was a missed opportunity.
16) Michelle Yeoh turned down Trinity in The Matrix
Michelle Yeoh was initially considered for the role of Trinity in The Matrix but ultimately passed on the opportunity. The role of Trinity was then taken on by Carrie-Anne Moss, who delivered one of her most iconic performances. Other actresses, including Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jennifer Connelly, were also considered, but Moss’s dedication to the physical demands of the role and her chemistry with Keanu Reeves made her the perfect fit.
17) Jack Nicholson passed on Michael Corleone in The Godfather
Jack Nicholson was offered the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather but would not accept it, insisting that Italians should play Italian characters. He admitted that he would have played the role well but preferred Al Pacino. Studio heads did indeed want someone with a bigger name, but Pacino's performance cemented the film's place as one of the greatest in the history of cinema.
18) Christopher Walken declined Han Solo in Star Wars
Christopher Walken was considered for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope before Harrison Ford was cast. Walken himself later admitted he didn't think he performed well in the audition, and with over 500 other actors vying for the role, he was far from the top contender. Despite this, Walken expressed no regret, saying he was glad Ford ultimately landed the role, as he felt he wouldn't have been suited for it.
19) Burt Reynolds said no to James Bond
Burt Reynolds was once considered for the role of James Bond but declined it, allowing Roger Moore to step in. Reynolds was reportedly offered the role after Sean Connery's departure but turned it down due to concerns about the physical demands of the part. Moore eventually took on the iconic role in Live and Let Die (1973), which marked the beginning of his seven-film run as 007, cementing his place as one of the most beloved Bond actors.
20) Charlize Theron turned down Roxie Hart in Chicago
Charlize Theron was asked to do the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002), which didn't come about because of scheduling. The role finally went to Renée Zellweger, who made an Oscar-worthy performance in return. Theron said of the situation that she was disappointed but understood why the directors had to change, and so Zellweger's iconic performance should be defined as part of her career
Reply
