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20 Actors Who Turned Down Important or Popular Roles
glamorati.com — For every celebrity winning critical acclaim or an Academy Award there ’s another celeb or two who turned down that same meaty role. While we’re sure they had good reasons for their decisions, we’re also wondering how hard they kick themselves after realizing they passed up "The Big One."
MrBabyMan- 1065 diggs
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- reflex768, on 03/20/2008, -1/+39Very fun. I thought "thank God" on more than one of those too.
- badwithcomputer, on 03/20/2008, -0/+17I agree, but I think Warren Beatty might have been an interesting choice for Boogie Nights. Then again, I also think Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti should do a buddy comedy called "Two Awkward Looking Pudgy Guys Find Themselves in Uncomfortable Situations and Talk About It With Witty Banter"
....it's a working title.- LisaKe, on 03/20/2008, -0/+16I find it interesting how Keanu Reeves is everyone's last choice.
- chatzimcfee, on 03/20/2008, -0/+2at least he gets chosen at all.
- SkippyDoorknob, on 03/21/2008, -0/+6How do you know he was always the last choice? Obviously they would stop asking people once he agreed.
It's like when people lose their keys or something and say "It's always in the last place you look!" Well that's because you stop looking once you find them! - itsthebrod, on 03/21/2008, -1/+5Why would he be anyone's FIRST choice? Is there any role really requiring that "Keanu" factor that would've gone unfulfilled by other actors? I guess what I'm getting at is that he sucks.
- LisaKe, on 03/20/2008, -0/+16I find it interesting how Keanu Reeves is everyone's last choice.
- rholland356, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Thank God as in "Thank God these actors turned down these roles because the final products just would not have been as good it they hadn't."
I understand that completely! - solidsnake1298, on 03/21/2008, -0/+7Did anyone else think "what if" if Will Smith was in The Matrix instead of Keanu Reeves?
- Judacious, on 03/21/2008, -0/+8We missed an EPIC rap video
- fucayama, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Not sure if this ones true, saw an interview with Jada Pinkett-Smith where she said Will wanted in on the trilogy after she'd already been in the first one and she was like "no way! this is my thing!" or something.
paraphrasing a little there - jrbrewin, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1empire magazine mentioned in a recent issue that sean connery was offered parts in the matrix, and lord of the rings trilogy, which he turned down as he wasn't so keen on fantasy / sci-fi after zardoz.
- badwithcomputer, on 03/20/2008, -0/+17I agree, but I think Warren Beatty might have been an interesting choice for Boogie Nights. Then again, I also think Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti should do a buddy comedy called "Two Awkward Looking Pudgy Guys Find Themselves in Uncomfortable Situations and Talk About It With Witty Banter"
- julweiss, on 03/20/2008, -1/+6I love Buffy, but SMG would have made a terrible Cher on Clueless.
Fun article- darkever, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I disagree, SMG plays an excellent airhead on many occasions.
- ShuTian, on 03/20/2008, -1/+17I just can't picture Molly Ringwald as Vivian in"Pretty Woman".
- VladislavIII, on 03/20/2008, -1/+10Damn, I wish Jennifer Jason Leigh had taken the role in Pretty Woman. I don't know how many times I've had to endure what's-her-face in that horrible ***** movie.
- MarkDykeman, on 03/20/2008, -0/+32They forgot that Tom Selleck turned down the role of Indiana Jones (or else he couldn't do it, I forget)
- PhantomRogue, on 03/20/2008, -0/+2One of his TV Shows got picked up for an additional seasons that interferred with the filming of Indy, so he had to turn it down.
- namae, on 03/20/2008, -0/+3I believe it was the production in charge of Magnum P.I. that objected to him taking the role of Indiana.
- foolfoolz, on 03/21/2008, -1/+1Yea, Magnum PI and Indiana Jones were to filmed at the same time, so he chose Magnum. But then something delayed the Magnum series being filmed for so long he could have done the first indiana jones AND magnum. I bet he's real butt hurt about it.
- SteveMTyler, on 03/20/2008, -0/+2they have scenes filmed with tom selleck as indy on the bonus disk of the dvd box set. They are pretty funny to watch, but it makes you wonder if temple of doom, last crusade, and now crystal skull ever would have been made if tom selleck couldn't pull of indy.
- shontoh, on 03/21/2008, -1/+2I never knew that. Magnum would make a great Indiana
- LisaKe, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1The author said in her comments the list isn't complete and she wants to make it into a regular feature.
- JohnMalcontent, on 03/20/2008, -2/+6Cool post. Makes you wonder how the flick would have been different if the other actor accepted the role.
- CalliopeJones, on 03/20/2008, -1/+0This is actually my new favorite celeb site. I like how the blogger has interesting articles mixed in with bits of news.
- Hermiod, on 03/20/2008, -1/+20I'm kind of glad Mel Gibson didn't do Robin Hood. He's already spent two movies rewriting history and blaming the English for everything, we can do without third.
- Swil, on 03/20/2008, -3/+2Apparently there's a fair amount of evidence to say that the legend of Robin Hood came from William Wallace - the English slowly turned him into an English folk hero instead of a Scottish one. So you could say he _did_ play Robin Hood, just a (slightly) more historically accurate version...
- Hermiod, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Let me put it this way, my sister has a degree in History, specialising in British history. When she saw Braveheart on DVD she kept pausing the film to angrily criticise the repeated historical mistakes and the distortion of events to portray England in a negative light.
The Patriot is not much better in that regard. I can accept Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves because overall it's a fun movie and Robin Hood as a "character" has been fictionalised so many times that a bit of creative licence is okay.- Swil, on 03/29/2008, -1/+1I wasn't describing Braveheart as Historically Accurate. Hence me specifying slightly more historically accurate than Prince of Thieves. Slightly more historically accurate than Robin Hood isn't much.
- Hermiod, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Let me put it this way, my sister has a degree in History, specialising in British history. When she saw Braveheart on DVD she kept pausing the film to angrily criticise the repeated historical mistakes and the distortion of events to portray England in a negative light.
- Swil, on 03/20/2008, -3/+2Apparently there's a fair amount of evidence to say that the legend of Robin Hood came from William Wallace - the English slowly turned him into an English folk hero instead of a Scottish one. So you could say he _did_ play Robin Hood, just a (slightly) more historically accurate version...
- mccann302, on 03/20/2008, -0/+12Can't picture Jodie Foster and Michelle Pfeiffer in Thelma and Louise.
- bamafun, on 03/20/2008, -0/+4I agree, I dont dislike jodie foster but she just comes across cold and serious - I don't think the movie would have been as ood with her in it.
- Bukowsky, on 03/20/2008, -0/+64I couldn't see John Travolta as Forrest Gump... glad that one went to Tom Hanks.
- Member148, on 03/20/2008, -3/+15Why is Molly Ringwald still around?
- jewdiknight, on 03/20/2008, -1/+8I think Tom Hanks would have done a great job as Jerry Maguire and changed the pacing a little.
- pezoamo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+6yeah yeah I know Tom Cruise is a douche
but:
a) That was before all the scientology *****
b) He was ***** phenominal in Jerry Mcguire
- pezoamo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+6yeah yeah I know Tom Cruise is a douche
- shaneagraves, on 03/20/2008, -2/+4Jet Li was first offered the main role of Li Mu Bai in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" but turned it down because his wife was pregnant. Too bad... maybe more Americans/Westerners would appreciate him a little more. His Hollywood films are definitely not as good as his Hong Kong films.
I even read that he was first offered the role of Seraph in "The Matrix" but also had to turn that one down. Can anyone verify this?- CrimsonBlur, on 03/20/2008, -0/+4I like Jet Li but Crouching Tiger would not be the film it is without Chow Yun-Fat in that role, Li just can't pull off a part like that in the way he did. He would have been awesome as Seraph though, but the actor they chose did a great job anyway.
- SPRFRKR, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Agreed. While Li has the upper hand in the action aspect, Chow Yun-Fat has more "depth" as an actor it seems.
- CrimsonBlur, on 03/20/2008, -0/+4I like Jet Li but Crouching Tiger would not be the film it is without Chow Yun-Fat in that role, Li just can't pull off a part like that in the way he did. He would have been awesome as Seraph though, but the actor they chose did a great job anyway.
- appletoapple, on 03/20/2008, -0/+32All I have to say is THANK GOD Travolta turned down the Forrest Gump role!
- Happy_Phantom, on 03/20/2008, -4/+19I'm so glad Julia Roberts turned down Basic Instinct.
There's no way I would have jacked off those dozens of times to Julia Roberts!- MrTea, on 03/21/2008, -0/+5A horse is a horse, of course.
- adml_shake, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Liar.
- keltin, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2What did you do the other half of the movie?
- EatingPie, on 03/20/2008, -2/+12In terms of Warren Beatty, the author asks why he'd take the role of Dick Tracy. Beatty DIRECTED Dick Tracy so it's only logical that he'd be the title role. I didn't like the movie that much, but it was well-done artistically.
Some of the others are interesting, but didn't really scream "NO WAY!" While Mel Gibson passed on Gladiator, he'd already done very well for himself as William Wallace (in the director's chair too again). And Denzel passing on I Robot? There's a "not Denzel" movie if there ever was one. And DiCaprio as Dirk Diggler? Or Neo? Sometimes these actors are passing for a good reason -- they know they're not right for a particlar role. And you can bet Gibson, Washington and DiCaprio have made some damn good choices in their careers.
-Pie- gudnbluts, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I actually like the idea of DiCaprio as Dirk Diggler. I don't think he would have been better than Wahlberg, but he could have been just as good.
It's very much his kind of role, with the boyish charm etc. He would have probably been a bit more angsty, whereas Wahlberg played it very much as if the character wasn't the sharpest tool in the box but was riding on the wave and really was just being buffeted about by events.
- gudnbluts, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I actually like the idea of DiCaprio as Dirk Diggler. I don't think he would have been better than Wahlberg, but he could have been just as good.
- Philosomatika, on 03/20/2008, -4/+40I'm glad Will Smith didn't end up as Neo in the matrix. That role was perfect for Keanu as there was little acting involved. Neo is to Keanu as The Terminator is to Arnie.
- Zurahn, on 03/20/2008, -1/+11Classic originals with horrible third movies?
- jonathantneal, on 03/20/2008, -5/+1ZING!!!
... I see what you did there.
- jonathantneal, on 03/20/2008, -5/+1ZING!!!
- delmar14, on 03/21/2008, -3/+3I disagree, the matrix was great despite Keaneu's ineptitude but I think that even a semi-decent actor like will smith would have made it a little better.
- haleym, on 03/21/2008, -1/+3I disagree - Neo was supposed to be this amazingly intelligent super-hacker with an unbelievably fast mind... Keanu's vacuous stares and surfer-boy dialect were a terrible match. It's a testament to how well-scripted and directed the original movie was that it was able to survive such a horrendous miscasting of the lead role. Ewan MacGregor was also offered the role prior to Keanu (he accepted originally, but then turned it down when the opportunity to play Ben Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels conflicted) - I think he would have been able to portray the character's deep intelligence much more convincingly.
- dezmo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+4A lot of intelligent people exhibit a somewhat 'dull' persona, especially 'hackers'. If Will Smith or another 'hipper' more mainstream actor had done the matrix it would have felt much more popularized and wouldn't have attained the cult status that it did.
- Zurahn, on 03/20/2008, -1/+11Classic originals with horrible third movies?
- seanmanseanman, on 03/20/2008, -9/+24Will Smith as Neo = Cool
Leo D as Neo = Very very uncool- noots, on 03/21/2008, -2/+8if smith landed the Matrix i don't think it wouldn't have been taken as seriously and "cool" as it was. I keep thinking of him in Independence Day and it just wouldn't work.
- Joe_rigby, on 03/21/2008, -3/+3Not to mention the whole Scientology thing lately.
- noots, on 03/21/2008, -2/+8if smith landed the Matrix i don't think it wouldn't have been taken as seriously and "cool" as it was. I keep thinking of him in Independence Day and it just wouldn't work.
- Kard16, on 03/20/2008, -6/+0With the exception of a few, majority of those movies weren't even that great
- smagilly, on 03/20/2008, -1/+0If you take a few out of a majority, does it become a minority?
- chocolategrrrl, on 03/20/2008, -0/+13I'm so glad that Tom Hanks turned down the role of Andy in The Shawshank Redemption. The movie was perfect the way it turned out.
- SilentRamble42, on 03/20/2008, -3/+5I agree, but it still would have been one hell of a movie with Hanks,
- chocolategrrrl, on 03/20/2008, -6/+0Yeah. He is an excellent actor, I loved him in Castaway. I cried at the end. Loads. I can't believe she married someone else. Btw, that was a spoiler. Sorry.
- gudnbluts, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3My main emotion was an overwhelming urge to FedEX something.
- chocolategrrrl, on 03/20/2008, -6/+0Yeah. He is an excellent actor, I loved him in Castaway. I cried at the end. Loads. I can't believe she married someone else. Btw, that was a spoiler. Sorry.
- ibeandy, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I'm not the biggest fan if Hanks but I would think that he would have been very good for this film. Although seeing as how it's very nearly the perfect movie it's hard to complain about anything
- SilentRamble42, on 03/20/2008, -3/+5I agree, but it still would have been one hell of a movie with Hanks,
- TremorX, on 03/20/2008, -1/+16Any role that Julia Roberts turned down was a role that was saved. If only she turned down more.
However, she might make a good Joker, should Nolan need one. No makeup needed! - ChairShot83, on 03/20/2008, -0/+2What about Michael Madsen turning down Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction? Smart move?
- ha1f, on 03/20/2008, -0/+11John Travolta as Forrest Gump?! Oh sweet Jesus...
- ibeandy, on 03/21/2008, -2/+2I know! It's hard to even picture in my mind.....
- hollyminkowski, on 03/21/2008, -0/+5Scientology is as Scientology does....
- swisscheese97, on 03/20/2008, -6/+10Thank god Will Smith turned down the lead role in The Matrix. I can just see the hip hop music videos that would have been made to tie into the movie as a result... *douche chills*
- howardcross, on 03/20/2008, -1/+2may check back for a mirror later :(
- chuckDontSurf, on 03/20/2008, -0/+5Yeah, Mel Gibson really missed out and faded into obscurity. Same for Denzel. They must be really kicking themselves.
- noots, on 03/21/2008, -2/+1Denzel made smart moves imo, none of those films were really that great.
- Darph.Bobo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+2Denzel can't make enough films for me. He's watchable even if the film title was 'Denzel reads the Los Angeles phone book!"
- eazyyweeezy, on 03/27/2008, -0/+0I must agree, Denzel is one of the few great actors who can get you hooked to anything, his best films are when his trying to find something out, like crime etc, Bone collector undoubtedly his best work
- Darph.Bobo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+2Denzel can't make enough films for me. He's watchable even if the film title was 'Denzel reads the Los Angeles phone book!"
- noots, on 03/21/2008, -2/+1Denzel made smart moves imo, none of those films were really that great.
- avesjohn, on 03/20/2008, -1/+3I read that Dave Chappelle was offered the role of Bubba in Forrest Gump, and he turned that down. (He is said to have really regretted this decision in retrospect.) The role, of course, was taken by Mykelti Williamson instead. Interestingly enough, Dave and Mykelti were in Con Air together, and like Forrest Gump, Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" was a major part of the soundtracks of both films....
- jdack, on 03/20/2008, -5/+6What on earth were they smoking offering Will Smith the role of Neo?
- Erowid, on 03/21/2008, -5/+4At least dude can act :/ I'd be interested to see how that would have turned out.
- boogieman77, on 03/20/2008, -0/+5Mirror anyone?
- nicksawick1, on 03/20/2008, -0/+10http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:6wFmzUYw_T0J: ...
- gudnbluts, on 03/21/2008, -0/+0Ta muchly
- ayeroxor, on 03/21/2008, -6/+2http://www.tcoek12.org/~tcarc/mirtv.html
- sarixe, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1you ass... he said mirror, not mir
- ayeroxor, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Sorry, Comrade. I misunderstood...
- nicksawick1, on 03/20/2008, -0/+10http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:6wFmzUYw_T0J: ...
- triskele, on 03/20/2008, -1/+1If all those offers would have been accepted and commitments held there would've been a whole lot of "DO NOT WANT" going around.
- mecole21, on 03/20/2008, -2/+1mirror?
- Grooblle, on 03/20/2008, -0/+3Is the site already struck by the almighty digg effect or is my internet slow as hell? :D
- slahser, on 03/20/2008, -0/+3Digg effect I'm afraid.
- Joe_rigby, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1No, the toobs are clogged ok.
- slahser, on 03/20/2008, -0/+3Digg effect I'm afraid.
- slightlyoffbeat, on 03/20/2008, -3/+5google caught it http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:6wFmzUYw_T0J: ...
- nicksawick1, on 03/20/2008, -1/+1http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:6wFmzUYw_T0J: ...
- mcool119, on 03/20/2008, -1/+1Mirror- text only
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:6wFmzUYw_T0J: ... - Ninjao, on 03/20/2008, -3/+1Christ down already
http://www.duggmirror.com ?- gudnbluts, on 03/21/2008, -0/+5He'll be up in 3 days, I reckon.
- mrgeekguy, on 03/20/2008, -2/+79 1. Molly Ringwald - Molly Ringwald turned down the role of Vivian in "Pretty Woman" and the role of Molly in "Ghost" among others. She was also offered a part in Scream which she turned down because she was in her late 20’s and didn’t want a teenage role. Also, she was offered Leah Thompson’s role in "Some Kind of Wonderful" which she turned down severing her relationship with John Hughes. Personally, I can’t see her in any of those roles and never felt she was all that great of an actress anyway. She’s good with whiny roles, however. I’ll give her that.
2. Mel Gibson - Turned down the lead role in Gladiator. A role which landed Russell Crowe the Academy Award. Mel also turned down the part of Robin Hood in "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves." Instead, that part went to a very unbelieaveable Kevin Costner.
3. Alec Baldwin - The role of Richard Kimball in "The Fugitive" was originally offered to Alec. After he turned it down, it went to Harrison Ford.
4. Sigourney Weaver - Turned down the role of Ada in "The Accused," a part that later went to Kelly McGillis, and the lead role in "A Handmaid’s Tale."
5. Keanu Reeves turned down Charlie Sheen’s role in "Platoon." And really, thank goodness for that. The role should definitely go to someone who can act.
6. Gillian Anderson - The former X-Files star was originally offered the role of Bethany Sloane in "Dogma." She said, "no thanks" and the part wen to Linda Fiorentino instead.
7. Warren Beatty - Turned down the role of Jack Horner in "Boogie Nights." The part was then offered to a smarmy looking Bert Reynolds. Warren also turned down James Caan’s role in "Misery", the part of Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street" and Robert Redford’s role in "The Sting." Granted, Warren’s had some decent roles and he’s a good actor. But we’re thinking he’s not a very good judge of a good script. He accepts "Dick Tracey" and turns down "The Sting?" Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture?
8. Melanie Griffith - Melanie Griffith turned down the role of "Thelma" in "Thelma and Louise." Incidentally, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster were originally cast as Thelma and Louise but had to drop out as pre-production dragged on.
9. Sarah Michelle Gellar - Scheduling conflicts prevented her from accepting the role as Cher in "Clueless."
10. Richard Grieco - The "21 Jump Street" star turned down the lead role in "Speed" because he thought the script sucked. I guess he’s still turning down sucky scripts because it’s not like we’ve seen him in anything but the plastic surgeon’s office since the early 90’s.
11. Madonna - I guess we should be thankful but Madonna turned down Michelle Pfeiffer’s role in "The Fabulous Baker Boys."
12. Denzel Washington - Turned down the role of Curtis in "Dreamgirls", the lead in "I Robot", and it’s rumored he turned down the role of "Ray Charles" in Ray.
13. Will Smith - Turned down the role that eventually went to Keanu Reeve in "The Matrix", and the role of Stu in "Phone Booth."
14. Julia Roberts - Turned down Sharon Stone’s leg crossing role in "Basic Instinct," the role of Mary Corleone in "Godfather III" the role of Annie in "Sleepless in Seattle," the lead role of "Shakespeare in Love" and the role of Lucy in "While You Were Sleeping."
15. Leonardo DiCapprio - Offered the part of Dirk Diggler in "Boogie Nights" before it was given to Mark Wahlberg and the lead role in "The Matrix".
16. Mark Wahlberg - Turned down the role of Linus in "Ocean’s 13".
17. Tom Cruise - Before Johnny Depp made the role his own, Tom Cruise signed on to play Donnie Brasco in the film of the same name. Tom was also to play the lead role in "Footloose" and ended up turning that down as well.
18. Jennifer Jason Leigh - Jennifer Jason Leigh is another of the actresses who landed the role of Vivian in "Pretty Woman" and later turned it down.
19. John Travolata - Turned down the role of Forrest Gump.
20. Tom Hanks - Turned down the role of Ray Kinsella in "Field of Dreams," Andy Dufresne in "The Shawshank Redemption" and the lead role in "Jerry Maguire."- guyincognito, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I would love to see some of those movies
- Cerebron, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2You know what would be an awesome job? Copy/pasting text from pages that reach a certain amount of diggs as an emergency mirror service. Just a full-time guy doing what you did but getting paid for it.
- LordVance, on 03/21/2008, -0/+8But mrgeekguy already does it free - who would pay the man?
- Mist0r_Wiggles, on 03/21/2008, -2/+3"16. Mark Wahlberg - Turned down the role of Linus in "Ocean’s 13"."
That doesn't have any sense.- mult1task, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2I agree, Matt Damon played Linus in Oceans 11 and 12, why would he be replaced in 13?
- bella2k, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Thank you so much for taking the time to post this!
- brundlefly76, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1"13. Will Smith - Turned down the role that eventually went to Keanu Reeve in "The Matrix", and the role of Stu in "Phone Booth.""
That he turned down the role is Phone Booth is a huge mark in the plus column as far as I'm concerned.
That movie sucked.
Its funny that Alec Baldwin turned down the Fugitive role, which Harrison Ford took, because Harrison Ford also inherited the entire Jack Ryan franchise from Baldwin because Baldwin asked for too much money, while Ford loved the books and just wanted to be in the pictures.
However, Alec Baldwin was perfect as Jack Ryan in The Hunt For Red October, and Harrison Ford took a lot of the edge off the Ryan character because of his age.Although he was a moron for overbidding, Baldwin owned the role and I wish he had kept it.
- Narcism, on 03/21/2008, -5/+2Al Pacino turned down deNiro's part in Goodfellas...
- oda1, on 03/21/2008, -4/+1no he didn't.
- Narcism, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Al Pacino was offered the role of Jimmy Conway but he turned it down due to fears of typecasting. Ironically, that same year Pacino ended up playing a gangster - Big Boy Caprice in Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy (1990). He admits he regrets this decision.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099685/trivia
- Narcism, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Al Pacino was offered the role of Jimmy Conway but he turned it down due to fears of typecasting. Ironically, that same year Pacino ended up playing a gangster - Big Boy Caprice in Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy (1990). He admits he regrets this decision.
- oda1, on 03/21/2008, -5/+1no, he did not.
- oda1, on 03/21/2008, -4/+1no he didn't.
- charlief, on 03/21/2008, -1/+6Bill Murray was suppost to play Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' but was dropped because he never answered or returned phone calls (Bill is his own agent).
- Cerebron, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Johnny Depp answers the phone with a weird accent and rambles forever.
- grimward, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Not to mention he's ***** COOL while doing it :D
- Cerebron, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Johnny Depp answers the phone with a weird accent and rambles forever.
- oda1, on 03/21/2008, -1/+7Many of these made me cringe. The worse one, in my opinion, was "Tom Cruise in Donnie Brasco" LOL anyone? anyone?
- EnderMB, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Terrible, but not as terrible as John Travolta as Forrest Gump. Forrest Gump has to be my all-time favourite movie and without Ton Hanks as the lead it wouldn't be any good at all.
- banmaster, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Tom Cruise in ANYTHING!!!
- grimward, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1How about Tom Cruise in "Tom Cruise.. ON scientology"? :D
- RonAcierno, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Ive herd that John Travolta turned down the roles of Maverick in Top Gun and the lead role in An Officer and A Gentlemen to get his Pilot license
- NextGenXbox, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Everything happens for a reason... including all these turn downs.... I can't imagine seeing some of the movies mentioned with those stars... for the most part, the stars know what they're doing.
- leno1976, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2De Niro's way better suited for Goodfellas character,I cant imagine Pacino kicking a guy to death on a barfloor, Tom Cruise turned down Ironman trilogy to come, Sean Connery turned down Christopher Lees part in Lord of the Rings trilogy, Everyone in Hollywood turned down Superman Returns{I liked it} ,A point of interest Daniel day Lewis was turned down for Pulp Fictions Vincent Vega role{imdb} by Tarantino. Johnny Depp turned down part of the Joker in TDK.Despite what Nolan says Ledger was second or third choice.I read nearly 2 years ago that he was looking at script.
- internerd2, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Where'd you get this info? =)
- Mahoney07, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2I don't think the stuff you posted was true because I know for a fact they wanted an unknown actor for Superman.
- Cerebron, on 03/21/2008, -0/+0The Superman move has such a long and sordid history, anything anyone says about it is true.
- achoi, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Holy *****, Johnny Depp as the Joker? That would have been a serious *****
- grimward, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1That could have possibly been the best thing since old Jack did his part ;) ... But, I've yet to see how ol departed Heath does the role, with his suicide (or was it just an accident?) he may be been closer to the jokers mindset than many of us imagined he would be.
- leno1976, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1I have picked up over the years from newspapers and common sense,if Johnny Depp is reading the script for TDK as I read in numerous magazines 2 years ago -that means hes been offered the part{in my opinion a better choice/and more bankable then Ledger-although he looks great in trailer}.A friend of mine auditioned for Superman and yes they did want an unknown,but after it was turned down by Josh Hartnett,Mathew Maconahey,Matt Damon,and Mark wahlberg among others,who all had a fear of silly looking tights.Sean Connerys refusal is well known not wishing to spend three years of his life in a country at the other side of the world{New Zealand},similiar reason to Brandos refusal of Lawrence of Arabia-that time a desert.Daniel day Lewis-check his page on imdb.com.The studios and most directors will always go with the more bankable star whos right or close to the character.Ironman was offered to Cruise many times-5 years ago he might have done it but is now apperantly concentrating on more character based roles as he gets older,plus Jon Favreou is not an A-List director yet.I think Downeys perfect.My sources also include interviews with Favreou. Also and hears a really good one Gene hackman turned down Silence of the Lambs as Hannibel Lector{again his imdb page}.I'm sure you could google these.
- grimward, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1.. err, and I'm sure you could check out heath ledgers IMDB page which states that not only did he film the whole part, but also that he's dead :/
- counterplex, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Sean Connery turned down the part of Gandalf, not Saruman. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000125/bio
- chocolategrrrl, on 03/21/2008, -1/+7Whoopi Goldberg was apparently first choice for Ace Ventura Pet Detective. That would have one boring movie.
- Mahoney07, on 03/21/2008, -0/+1Why in the world would Julia Roberts decline a role in The Godfather part 3?
- mookie1510, on 03/21/2008, -0/+3Because her gut said the movie would completely blow.
- kurtwinter, on 03/21/2008, -0/+13So Hollywood believes that Mark Wahlberg=Leo DiCaprio=Johnny Depp=Tom Cruise=Keanu Reeves=Tom Hanks=John Travolta=Alec Baldwin=Harrison Ford=Kevin Kostner=Mel Gibson=Will Smith=Denzel Washington?
- 000000001, on 03/21/2008, -0/+0Yes, amen to that - some made a wise choice, not for themselves, but for our sake!!
However, the other unfortunate ones just couldnt see the benefits - poor hindsight i would say. - Scottievm, on 03/21/2008, -3/+4Thank ***** goodness that Travolta never got near the masterpiece that is Forrest Gump.
(it's my favorite movie, and Hanks is my favorite actor)- LordVance, on 03/21/2008, -0/+2Without a doubt - the final casting for Forest Gump was near perfect, couldn't have happened with Travolta as the centerpiece.
- Latshorty, on 03/21/2008, -0/+0I agree
- YMBwithVD, on 03/21/2008, -1/+5Denzel turned down the part of Ray? I love Denzel Washington, but I don't think anybody could have played it better than Jamie Foxx did.
- LordVance, on 03/21/2008, -1/+3Ehh, not sure why you are being buried - Jamie Foxx did an amazing job as Ray.
- CaptNemo, on 03/21/2008, -1/+3"Thank ***** goodness that Travolta never got near the masterpiece that is Forrest Gump."
Hey, up your nose with a rubber hose!
(JK, Travolta sucks) - tango1110, on 03/21/2008, -1/+2What about Tom Selleck turning down the offer of Dr. Jones which then went to Harrison Ford?
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