Imagine your favorite movie character played by a different actor or actress. Sounds a bit jarring, right? However, this is not uncommon in the casting world of Hollywood. Let us delve into the journey of 20 noteworthy actors who narrowly missed playing well-known characters in the world of cinema.
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1. Robert Pattinson – Pirates of the Caribbean
Prior to gaining immense popularity for the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight, Robert Pattinson auditioned for the role of Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. However, the role eventually went to Orlando Bloom.
2. Scarlett Johansson – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Renowned actress Scarlett Johansson was reportedly one of the frontrunners for the lead role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. However, the director David Fincher finally opted for Rooney Mara.
3. Chris Evans – Avatar
Before his massive success as Captain America, Chris Evans was in the shortlist for the role of Jake Sully in the blockbuster film Avatar. The role eventually was played by Sam Worthington.
4. Jennifer Lawrence – Twilight Saga
Yes, you heard it right. Before the Hunger Games saga, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Bella Swan in the Twilight series, a role that later Kristen Stewart won.
5. Leonardo DiCaprio – Baywatch
Who can imagine the Oscar-winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio running with a rescue float on a beach? He did audition for the role of Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, but the producer felt he was too old for the role, and it went to David Hasselhoff.
6. Will Smith – The Matrix
The popular actor Will Smith was approached for the role of Neo in The Matrix. However, Smith rejected the part due to its complicated plot, and the role found its way to Keanu Reeves.
7. Al Pacino – Star Wars
The renowned actor turned down the offer to play the character of Han Solo in Star Wars, handing Harrison Ford the chance to shine in this iconic role.
8. Emma Watson – La La Land
Before Emma Stone dazzled the world with her performance in La La Land, Emma Watson was considered for the lead female role. However, she had to turn it down due to her commitment to the movie Beauty and the Beast.
9. Brad Pitt – The Bourne Identity
Brad Pitt was all set to play the lead character Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity. However, he opted out, choosing to focus on his project with Ridley Scott, and Matt Damon landed the part instead.
10. Sandra Bullock – Million Dollar Baby
Before Hillary Swank bagged the Academy Award for her role in Million Dollar Baby, it was supposedly offered to Sandra Bullock, who had to reject it because of scheduling conflicts.
11. Johnny Depp – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Johnny Depp was intended to star as Ferris in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but because of scheduling issues, the film went on to become one of Matthew Broderick’s most famous roles.
12. Russell Crowe – Wolverine
Hugh Jackman’s iconic role in Wolverine initially had Russell Crowe’s name penciled in, but he turned it down, paving the way for Jackman to become a global star.
13. Harrison Ford – Jurassic Park
Believe it or not, before Sam Neill bagged the role, the iconic character Dr. Alan Grant was offered to Harrison Ford in the blockbuster Jurassic Park.
14. Tom Hanks – Jerry Maguire
Tom Hanks, the Forrest Gump actor, was the initial choice for Jerry Maguire’s leading role. Nonetheless, Tom Cruise was eventually cast, leaving his mark on this popular role.
15. Reese Witherspoon – Gone Girl
Surprisingly, Reese Witherspoon’s film production company was actually responsible for bringing Gone Girl to the big screen, and she was initially set to star in it. However, she decided her talents were better used off-screen, so she became the producer, and Rosamund Pike played the lead.
16. Idris Elba – Django Unchained
Idris Elba was Quentin Tarantino’s first choice for the lead role in Django Unchained, but the role eventually went to Jamie Foxx.
17. Matt Damon – Avatar & The Dark Knight
Matt Damon reportedly turned down not one, but two major films, Avatar and The Dark Knight. In both cases, scheduling issues were reportedly the reason behind his decisions.
18. Angelina Jolie – Gravity
Angelina Jolie is arguably one of the world’s most famous actresses but, she admits she never truly been comfortable in front of the camera, despite be
Before Sandra Bullock virtually took over the entire film Gravity with her compelling performance, the role was pitched to Angelina Jolie, who turned it down due to other commitments.
19. Jennifer Aniston – Titanic
Our beloved “Rachel” from Friends was close to being the iconic “Rose” in Titanic. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston had to pass up the role.
20. Ryan Gosling – The Lovely Bones
Before Mark Wahlberg took the role, Ryan Gosling was originally cast in The Lovely Bones. He later stepped down due to creative differences with the director.
Every actor’s journey is rooted in auditions, rejections, and significant decisions. Sometimes, this means turning down parts that later become iconic, and sometimes, it involves narrowly missing a role. One can’t help but wonder how these movies might have looked if these stars had played the characters they initially auditioned for.
