With great stardom comes great responsibility. As an actor or actress's star grows larger so does the demand for them to perform in the next motion picture no matter what it may be. Directors usually know whom they would like to have star in their films but the reasons for working with certain individuals may not always be as talent driven as one would expect. Hollywood 'A' listers are constantly left with tough decisions to make as to which film roles they inevitably decide to take. Some stars have to live with the decisions they made in not taking certain roles while other have to live with the roles that they did take. Let's take a look at 40 actors whom you would not believe were considered for major roles.
1. 'Pregnant With Emotions'
Having just starred opposite Meryl Streep in 2006's 'The Devil Wears Prada' Anne Hathaway was looking for her next role and was hoping for something a little different than she had been used to. That's why when Judd Apatow came knocking, Anne was listening.
After reading the script for 'Knocked Up' (2007) Anne Hathaway chose not to accept the role due to an issue with the directoral choices of Judd Apatow to use nudity and real birthing footage during the birth scene at the end of the film. Katherine Heigl ended up with the role of Alison Scott alongside leading man, Seth Rogan.
2. 'Albus The White?'
We know him best for his portrayal of Gandalf, in The Lord of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Sir Ian McKellen had been in countless theatrical performances prior to his remarkably successful transition to screen acting. In 1991 he was even knighted because of his contributions to the theatrical arts which is why it is quite shocking to learn what the original Albus Dumbledore thought of him as an actor.
Before Richard Harris passed away he described Sir Ian's acting as "technically brilliant but passionless". It is for this reason that McKellen is said to have turned down the role of 'Dumbledore', as he did not want to take over the role from an actor who would not have approve of him doing so. Michael Gambon ended up with the role in the subsequent films and is frequently mistaken for Sir Ian.
3. 'Trying To Forget'
Audiences will not soon be forgetting the film adaptation of Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' series. Nor can we imagine anyone other than Matt Damon as the amnesiatic 'Jason Bourne'. Who would have thought that it was actually 'Ocean's' costar Brad Pitt that was the first choice for the role.
Pitt had the choice between either starring in 'The Bourne' franchise or taking a role opposite Robert Redford in 2001's 'Spy Game'. Of course he chose the latter and had the opportunity to work with a screen legend. Matt Damon went on to film four out of five installations in 'The Bourne' series thus far. A series that has grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide.
4. "Shaken And Not Stirred"
Burt Reynolds was in serious contention to replace Sean Connery when he had decided (for the first time) that it was time for him to hang up the tuxedo for the final time as James Bond.
Burt Reynolds did not think that the public reception for an American James Bond would have gone over well and George Lazenby signed on as 007 instead. The public did not take to Lazenby very well and he ended up being the shortest tenured bond that there has been.
5. 'I Know It Was You'
A lot can be said for artistic integrity. Before Jack Nicholson was the star that we know him as today, he was offered the role of a lifetime in a little film called 'The Godfather' (1972) and turned it down.
Nicholson thought that the role of Michael Corleone should be played by a real Italian and stepped out of consideration. A little known Italian American actor of the time, by the name of Al Pacino, ended up with the role.
6. "Excuse Me, I Don't Like People Just Because They Are handsome!"
The friendly war between 'The Emmas' is something that film fans everywhere will be following for years to come. Following her popular performance as 'Hermione Granger' in the Harry Potter series Emma Watson seemed to have jumped out to an early lead, but it was the role she did not take that may have balanced the field a little.
Emma Watson turned down Emma Stone's eventual Award Winning role of 'Mia Dolan' in La La Land (2016) in order to live out the dream of being a Disney Princess as 'Belle' 2017's 'Beauty And The Beast'.
7. "Magic Don't Have A Father"
Following her Oscar winning performance in 'Dreamgirls' (2006), former American Idol Contestant Jennifer Hudson was one of the most sought after female talents in film. It was not scheduling conflicts that kept her from starring in 2009's 'Precious'.
Jennifer Hudson's decision was made because the film called for her to gain a large amount of weight to play the lead and that was not something that she was willing to do. Everything happens for a reason though and we ended up being graced with an unbelievable performance by Gabourey Sidbie.
8. "What's Your Favourite Scary Movie?"
A number of actors and actresses got their big breaks after dabbling in the horror genre. Reese Witherspoon had not yet gained colour in 'Pleasantville' (1998) nor had she won class president in 'Election' (1999), but she was already turning down the lead in 1996's 'Scream' because she did not want to take part in a 'hit or miss' horror film.
In a film that would help to give the horror genre new life in the 90s, Neve Campbell ended up as heroine Sidney Prescott and subsequently went on to star in the role another four times (Scream 5 is scheduled to be released sometime in 2022). The 'Scream' series has grossed more than $600 million to date.
9. "Alllllright"
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been the cornerstone of superhero movies for almost twenty years. A lot of actors would sell their souls for the opportunity to somehow be part of the MCU. Mathew McConaughey had that opportunity and turned it down.
Kurt Russell ended up with the role of 'Ego' in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' (2017) but it was McConaughey who stepped down from consideration in favour of another role. Mathew was very impressed by the uniqueness of the adapted screenplay of 'Dark Tower' (2017) and thought that starring as Walter Padick alongside Idris Elba was the better choice.
10. 'Legal Matters'
Just a couple years removed from her starring role on 'Married With Children', a script came across Christina Applegate's desk that could have been the major motion picture break for which she had been waiting.
After playing Kelly Bundy for so many years, Applegate was hoping to portray less 'ditsy' characters and turned down the lead role in 'Legally Blonde' (2001). Ultimately the role of Elle Woods went to up and coming star Reese Witherspoon who was fresh off of major roles in 'Pleasantville' (1998) and 'Cruel Intentions' (1999).
11. 'It's Showtime!'
In the late 80s, the woman whom we all know as Carrie Bradshaw was still just a young actress trying to figure out which type of roles would help her further her career prospects. If Sarah Jessica Parker would have accepted the part of Lydia in the 1988 Tim Burton classic 'Beetlejuice' imagine how differently things could have turned out.
SJP ended up turning down the role that would start Winona Ryder on her path to stardom. The part would end up being Ryder's big break but it is not as though Sarah Jessica Parker has had a rough time of it since turning down the part. Beetlejuice.....Beetlejuice.....don't worry I wouldn't take the chance.
12. A Grey Area
Charlie Hunnam helped to humanize biker gangs by stripping down the rough outer persona of Jax in 'Sons of Anarchy' for more than half a decade. If it were not for a very heavy work load the world would have seen him stripping down more than just a rough exterior.
Hunnam was actually the first choice to play the lead role in 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'. He was all signed on for the project but in the eleventh hour he pulled out and Jamie Dornan stepped into the role that would be his first big break.
13. 'Ayyyyyyyy'
Henry Winkler is probably best known as the cool greaser Arthur 'Fonz' Fonzarellli from the hit 70s sitcom 'Happy Days'. This is the guy who could get a jukebox to work just by giving it a couple of love taps when needed. One would think that he would have been perfect as T-Bird Danny Zuko.
By the time that 'Grease' (1978) was being cast Henry Winkler had already been playing 'The Fonz' for over four years and ended up turning down the role of Danny Zuko because he did not want to be typecast.
14. 'Stay Out Of It'
As the sex symbol of a generation, Marilyn Monroe had probably grown accustomed to being looked at in a certain light over the past decade. It is rather curious why she heeded the advice of someone else when it came to 'breakfasting' of at Tiffany's.
Actor/director Lee Strasburg had suggested to Monroe that playing the 'prostitute type' character of Holly Golightly in 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' (1961) would not be very good for her image. Audrey Hepburn felt otherwise and ended up being nominated for the Academy Award for her performance.
15. 'Like A Glove'
Whether he was pet detecting or finding magical ancient masks in dirty rivers Jim Carey was always getting up to something in the 90s. As his roles diversified his acting range continued to expand as well. It should not be as surprising as it is that he almost ended up as Jack Sparrow in the 'Pirates of The Caribbean' (2003).
Unfortunately for Carrey, the filming of the inaugural installation of The Pirates' series coincided with the production schedule for Bruce Almighty (2003).
16. Trading Places
We almost got a 'Trading Places' (1983) reunion when Eddie Murphy was considered for the role of Winston Zeddemore alongside Dan Akroyd in 'Ghostbusters' (1984).
Not to take anything away from Ernie Hudson, who ended up with the role, but it was rather unfortunate that the reunion did not take place as Murphy had scheduling conflicts. He was already scheduled to film 'Beverly Hills Cop' (1984) at the same time.
17. 'Make Like A Tree And Leaf'
WhenBack To The Future' (1985) hit the big screens it was an almost instant success. The onscreen chemistry between Christopher Lloyd and Michael J Fox was just outstanding but it was almost a different underdog from the early 80s that landed the part of Marty.
Ralph Macchio was just right for the role of Daniel LaRusso in 1984's 'Karate Kid' but when it came to being Marty McFly he was no Michael J Fox. Macchio ended up losing out on the role to the Canuck.
18. "Don't Call Me Junior!"
When casting for 'Raiders Of The Lost Arc' (1981) Harrison Ford was not even on George Lucas' radar to begin with because Lucas prefers not to reuse actors from his previous films. It was actually Tom Selleck whom Lucas preferred for Dr. Jones.
Because of his commitment to Magnum P.I. Tom Selleck turned down the opportunity to be everyone's favorite whip-wielding archeologist. I don't know what is more unsettling to imagine, Indy with a mustache or Magnum without one.
19. 'Help Me, Help You!'
When Cameron Crowe first started writing 'Jerry Maguire' (1996) it was a different Tom that he had in mind for the title role. Tom Hanks was originally slated to play Jerry Maguire.
Four years and two Academy Awards after the script had begun to be written, Hanks had waited long enough and at this stage of his career wanted to try his hand at directing, which he did with 1996's 'That Thing You Do!'
20. "He Don't Know His Left Foot From His Right Foot"
The casting directors for 'Footloose' (1984) were so impressed with his performance in 'Risky Business' (1983), or more specifically the underwear scene in the film, that they wanted Tom Cruise to cut loose as Ren McCormack.
Fortunately for Kevin Bacon, Cruise was filming 'All The Right Moves' (1983) and could not find the time to squeeze into any other roles at the time.
21. The Red Pill Or The Blue One?
Will Smith's fame rose astronomically in the mid-90s. Needless to say that following the popularity of 'Independence Day' (1996) and 'Men In Black' (1997), Smith was probably able to be a bit more selective over the roles he took.
Will Smith was seriously considered for the role of Neo in 'The Matrix' (1999) but did not share the Wachowskis' vision for the film and opted to do 'Wild Wild West' (1999) instead, which brought in less than half of what the first Matrix film did at the box office. The Matrix trilogy ended up bringing in over $1.5 billion worldwide.
22. 'You Got Mail'
Julia Roberts has been an unstoppable force in Hollywood ever since her breakout performance in 1990's 'Pretty Woman'. She has turned down numerous parts, usually for no other reason than that she is a very busy woman.
Julia Roberts turned down Meg Ryan's eventual role as Tom Hanks' love interest, in 'Sleepless In Seattle' in order to take on the adaptation of legal thriller 'The Pelican Brief' along side Denzel Washington.
23. Drawing A Line
Some roles call for certain personal morals to be compromised. A lot of the time an actor would rather give up a role than compromise themselves and their integrity. There is, however, always another actor or actress whose line has been drawn just a little bit further out in the sand. Angela Bassett was considered for the lead role in 'Monster's Ball' (2001) but could not cross that line which she had set out for herself.
Bassett was not comfortable with the sex scenes and nudity that the role called for and refused to be a prostitute in the film. Halle Berry looked at the role as a great opportunity and ultimately took home the Oscar for the role of Leticia that Angela turned down.
24. Coming Up For Air
1994's 'The Shawshank Redemption' was a fantastic all-around film. It is hard to believe that Tim Robbins was not the first choice to star opposite Morgan Freeman but actually Kevin Costner that was considered for the role of Andy Dufresne.
After tremendous success at the box office through the late 80s and early 90s, Kevin Costner thought that he had a great grasp on which films audiences would take to more than others. It was with this in mind that he turned down the chance to dig himself out of Shawshank for the leading role in the massive blockbuster flop 'Waterworld' (1995), which is also universally regarded as one of the worst films ever made.
25. "Hey Bub"
Many actors would be thrilled to be offered the role of 007. Hugh Jackman was no different. Prior to Daniel Craig being selected as the new James Bond the role was actually Hugh Jackman's to take or leave.
Although it was a role that Jackman had wanted, the producers had let it be known that Hugh would not have any say on the creative direction of the character. As a result, Jackman stepped away from the role and returned to reprise his role as 'Wolverine' in the X-Men franchise.
26. 'Quid Pro Quo'
'Silence Of The Lambs' (1991) won five academy awards (best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, and best-adapted screenplay). It was critically acclaimed and one of very few films to sweep all the major categories at the Oscars. It turns out that not everyone was a big fan of the script.
Michelle Pfeiffer was originally offered the role of Agent Clarice Starling before Jodie Foster, but apparently she is a fan of happy endings and turned it down because of an issue that she had with the story. The issue? Evil won in the end.
27. "You Bow To No One"
Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage has acted in countless films over the years. It almost seems as though there is not a role that he would turn down. Nothing against Viggo Mortensen but just think about how much more epic 'The Lord of The Rings' would have been if Nicolas Cage did not turn down the role of Aragorn.
He claims not to regret the decision, however, he does admit that the role most certainly would have benefited him. It was only due to certain life circumstances at the time that he opted to stay away from Middle Earth.
28. 'The King Of The World'
Marky Mark Wahlberg and Leonardo DiCaprio had just finished working together on the set of 1995's 'The Basketball Diaries' and were both beginning to get a lot of attention from film executives. Lucky for Leo that he had a bit more experience which led to more lucrative options.
Leo turned down Mark Wahlberg's eventual 'Boogie Nights' (1997) role to star in one of the most successful box office films of all time. Without a doubt, DiCaprio made the right choice taking the part of Jack in 1997's 'Titanic'.
29. "I'm Getting Too Old For This S***!"
Mel Gibson fought for Scotland's freedom against the English in 1995's 'Braveheart'. Five years later when offered the chance to lead a new movement, this one against the Roman Empire, Mel had no fight left in him.
He no longer saw himself as the 'Lethal Weapon' (1987) he once was. Mel Gibson declined the lead role in 'Gladiator' (2000) because he considered himself to be too old for the many action scenes that the role demanded. At 8 years his junior, Russell Crowe ended up bringing home the Academy Award for Best Actor as Maximus.
30. "Smiles Are Only Skin Deep"
When Tim Burton was preparing for the production of 1989's 'Batman', he did so with just one man in mind for the lead villain. That all changed when John Lithgow went into the audition for Tim Burton and (in his words) "tried to persuade him that I was not right for the role".
The role of Batman's sociopathic nemesis The Joker was originally John Lithgow's to lose. He was flat out offered the role by Tim Burton but turned it down because he was performing on Broadway at the time and did not want to go from one production right into the other. Because of Lithgow's exhausting schedule, we were given a performance of a lifetime by Jack Nicholson inevitably getting the part over the likes of Robin Williams.
31. 'You Never Know What You're Gonna Get'
After the success that John Travolta saw in the 70s and early part of the 80s he fell into more family-oriented films over the next decade or so. In the mid-90s John was left with a decision that would shape the next part of his career.
John Travolta reportedly turned down the role of Forrest because he had decided to take a role in eccentric director, Quentin Tarantino's follow up to 1992's 'Reservoir Dogs'. Although he did not win the Oscar that Tom Hanks did for 'Forrest Gump', 1994 was still a comeback year for Travolta who starred as Vincent Vega in Tarantino's cult classic 'Pulp Fiction (1994).
32. Going Solo
It is amazing to think that Harrison Ford's breakout role as space pirate Han Solo was almost not his. Having recently starred in 'The Godfather' 1 (1972) and 2 (1974) and 'Serpico' (1973), Al Pacino was actually offered the role of Han Solo long before Ford.
Pacino thought that they only wanted him to be part of the film because of his star power at the time and it probably did not help much that he was having trouble understanding the film.
33. His 'Hart' Wasn't In It
'Tropic Thunder' (2008) brought together some of the biggest names of the 2000s. Aside from the comic genius of Jack Black and Ben Stiller, the cast was rounded out with Robert Downey Jr who portrayed, 'A dude playing a dude disguised as another dude' and Brandon T Jackson as Alpa Chino. The film missed out on one more comic talent because the character of Alpa was meant to be a closeted homosexual.
Kevin Hart is said to have turned down the role of Alpa Chino because he was not comfortable playing a homosexual man. He has admitted that this was due to his own insecurities and that he could not accept a character that he could not fully commit to.
34. Saving Ferris
We have seen Johnny Depp play a wide array of kooky, crazy and sometimes creepy characters. Prior to meeting Tim Burton however he was typecast as more of a teen hearttrob. That's why it is no surprise that Depp was actually John Hughes' first choice for the lead in 1985's 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'.
It turns out that Hughes' gut feeling about Depp being a major film star was correct, he was just a decade or so off. It turns out that Depp's audition was not quite up to par and Mathew Broderick ended up twisting and shouting his way into our hearts as lovable slacker Ferris Bueller.
35. "What's In The Box?"
Coming off of a huge year, having just starred in 'Interview With The Vampire' and 'Legends Of The Fall' in 1994, Brad Pitt ended up as 'Detective David Mills' in 1995's crime drama 'Se7en'. He was, however, not the first choice for the part.
In 1995 we almost got to see Denzel Washington team up with Morgan Freeman to try and take down Kevin Spacey. Denzel opted for 1995's neo-noir mystery thriller 'Devil In A Blue Dress' instead. Both were great films but had very different audience receptions.
36. 'Don't Look Back In Anger'
Matt Damon has been landing roles non-stop since coming bursting onto the scene in the mid-1990s. There is no way to know how many roles he has turned down over the years but there are a few that seem to stand out more than others. As a result of an overloaded schedule, Damon has probably lost out on more money than any other actor.
Damon turned down roles in two huge blockbusters of the 2000s. First was Harvey Dent inThe Dark Knight' (2008) and next was Jake Sully in 2009's 'Avatar'. For the latter, it is rumored that Damon was offered a 10% cut of what the film would eventually gross ('Avatar' would end up earning $2.79 Billion worldwide). Hindsight huh?
37. 'Slaying It'
A few years before Sarah Michelle Gellar was a popular blonde vampire slayer, Buffy was almost popular blonde high school student Cher Horowitz from 'Clueless' (1995).
Although Sarah Michelle Gellar was one of the front runners for the role of 'Cher' she was not able to take the role due to prior commitments as she had to be on set for the popular soap opera 'All My Children'.
38. 'Follow The White Rabbit'
The lead role in 1999's blockbuster hit 'The Matrix' almost looked very different as Keanu Reeves almost lost out on the role to his 'Speed' (1994) costar.
'The Matrix' almost had a female 'Neo'. Sandra Bullock was offered the part but turned down her chance to 'enter the matrix' in 1999, instead choosing parts in romantic comedies over the next few years.
39. 'Pretty' Tough Decisions
Molly Ringwald was a superstar in the 80s. She was the only one that could have been so 'Pretty in Pink' (1986) while blowing out 'Sixteen Candles' (1984) with her 'Breakfast Club' (1985), just as only Julia Roberts could have been such a remarkable 'Pretty Woman' (1990).
Molly Ringwald was actually considered for the role of Vivian Ward in 'Pretty Woman' before Julia Roberts but Ringwald was hoping for a different type of role and decided to pass on this one.
40. 'The Bull Goose Loony'
'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) took almost ten years to finally get started on production and when it did there were two people in mind for the part of the lovable nutcase Randle Patrick McMurphy. Burt Reynolds and Gene Hackman.
As compelling as it would have been to see either Reynolds or Hackman play the part it was surprising candidate Jack Nicholson who got the role and ended up winning the first of his three Oscars for his performance.