10 Actors Who Turned Down Roles Of A Lifetime
Imagine the Titanic without Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack or Kate Winslet as Rose? Many might not believe that it almost happens.
Your favorite films were almost very different. As a rule, actors who end up starring in movies are often not the first choice. For example, before DiCaprio was cast, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise, and Johnny Depp were all considered for the part.
Many movies could have been extremely different if the original casting panned out. If you’re curious about how different they would be, scroll down to see some alternate silver screen.
#1. Madonna in Batman Returns
Source: Batman Returns / Warner Bros.
In the show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Madonna expressed her regret for turning down the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns. Eventually, Michelle Pfeiffer took on the part.
The Grammy award-winning singer said, “I saw the movie, and I regret not accepting the role of Catwoman. It would have been pretty fierce.
#2. Gwen Stefani in Mr. and Mrs. Smith
The lead role in the 2005 blockbuster Mr. and Mrs. Smith was almost portrayed by Gwen Stefani. After all, Angelina Jolie was the actor who delivered the famous line “Who’s your daddy now?” to Brad Pitt’s character.
Gwen Stefani also joked that the movie would have taken a different turn if she had been cast alongside Pitt as the central couple, who live a double life.
#3. Britney Spears in The Notebook
Britney Spears, the biggest pop star of the 2000s, could have been considered for the lead role in The Notebook. The singer did audition for the role of Allie Hamilton, but eventually, Rachel McAdams got it.
Casting director Matthew Barry revealed that it was a “close call” between Spears and McAdams. However, he ultimately selected McAdams because she delivered an outstanding audition.
#4. Ryan Gosling as Doctor Strange
Source: Doctor Strange / Marvel Studios
Marveld begged Ryan Gosling to play Doctor Strange. Concept artist Court Chu has revealed new concept art that depicts Gosling in the role, stating, “Years ago, I spent just a short amount of time creating some versions of Doctor Strange, and at that time, they were interested in Gosling.”
After Joaquin Phoenix declined the role, Ryan Gosling was considered to get the part. Apart from him, Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke, and Keanu Reeves were on the list. Ultimately, the role went to Benedict Cumberbatch.
#5. Taylor Momsen as Hannah Montana
Source: Hannah Montana / Disney Channel
Taylor Momsen auditioned for the role of Hannah Montana. Along with Miley Cyrus and Daniella Monet, the actress reached the final stages of the casting process.
It's intriguing to consider the alternate path the show might have taken if Momsen had been chosen for the iconic role.
#6. Emilia Clarke in Fifty Shades of Grey
When it comes to her decision not to take on the role in Fifty Shades of Grey, Emilia Clarke explained that she didn’t want to be typecast and confined to a specific image. Finally, Dakota Johnson got the role.
She shared that she felt bad when being naked on camera in Game of Thrones. When reading the script, the actress thought the story included sensuality and nudity. She decided against voluntarily entering a situation where she would be continuously asked about those aspects, making it difficult for her to assert herself and deny such questions in the future.
#7. Rob Lowe in Grey’s Anatomy
Source: Grey's Anatomy / Shondaland
In an interview with Variety, the actor revealed why he turned down the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy. At that time, he didn’t star in the ABC medical drama to pursue filming in the short-lived series Dr. Vegas.
Eventually, the role went to Patrick Dempsey. He played the character from 2005 to 2015 until his on-screen demise in a tragic car accident.
#8. Bob Oderkirk in The Office
Bob Oderkirk auditioned for the role of Michael Scott in the movie The Office. Apart from him, Patton Oswalt, Rick Moranis, and Philip Seymour Hoffman were also considered for the part.
Though he missed out on the part, with his impressive performance, he starred as a cameo in the show’s final season. In the episode titled “Moving On”, Oderkirk’s character was the boss of the office that Pam interviews.
#9. Amy Schumer in Barbie
Source: Barbie / Heyday Films
Amy Schumer was first cast in the movie in late 2016 but due to scheduling conflicts, she left the project four months later in 2017.
However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress revealed the true reason. She shared that the filmmakers didn’t share her vision for the film and were unwilling to pursue it in the manner she wanted.
Furthermore, she and her sister decided to co-write the script. The original concept revolved around a woman who is expelled from Barbieland due to not meeting their standards of perfection, resulting in a fish-out-of-water scenario. Schumer’s iteration portrayed Barbie as an ambitious inventor.
#10. James Corden in The Whale
Source: The Whale / Protozoa Pictures
In an interview with Deadline, Jame Corden revealed that he almost became a part of the movie. However, the project did not come to fruition as Ford desired more control over the film. Corden also shared that George Clooney expressed interest in the project but it just cast the actor who weighed 600 lb.
Who else do you think we skipped? We’d be glad to hear from you in the comments!