12 Movie Stars That Were Served Win-Win Roles on a Silver Platter But They Rejected

All actors want to be in a good movie. Not only does that mean they’ll get a huge paycheck, but also a chance for them to get more recognition and awards for their work. Not to mention, it is a career ladder for them to get even better roles in the future.
But sometimes, plans fall through, and the actors have to turn down that one big role, which could be career-changing even! It could be to schedule conflict, contractual obligations, or even personal circumstances.
In these cases, the actors would have to drop out of the project and be replaced with another. This is actually quite normal in Hollywood film production, so most of the time actors would just move on.
… Except when the movie they dropped become a hit in theaters!
Some actors regret their decision, while some just reminisce and move on. But as moviegoers, we can’t stop wondering: Why did these actors drop out of these iconic projects? Let’s see…

#1 Jake Sully — Jake Gyllenhaal and Sam Worthington

Source:Invision / Invision / East News, © Avatar / 20th Century Studios and co-producers

Matt Damon and Jake Gyllenhaal were first considered for the lead roles in Avatar. But the director, James Cameron, was overjoyed to learn that they both turned down the position. Sam Worthington landed the role and became famous with the release of Avatar.
He previously stated that he intended the role to be played by the lesser-known Worthington. But to appease Fox executives, who were concerned that an unknown performer would not draw enough buzz to the new and costly franchise, he had to offer the part to well-known actors.

#2 Vivian — Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts

Source: HBO / Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / East News, © Pretty Woman / Touchstone Pictures and co-producers

Julia Roberts was not the original option for the part of Vivian in Pretty Woman – Disney refused to employ her. Hundreds of other actresses were considered, including Sandra Bullock, Winona Ryder, and Sarah Jessica Parker. All of which are heavy names at the time.
But Parker was concerned about her reputation if she play the main character- an escort - and believed that the movie portrayed women negatively. It was then that the unknown Roberts was cast, and it turned out to be her breakout role because she believed in the film's success.

#3 James Bond — Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan

Source: Mary Evans / Allstar / Graham Whitby Boot / East News, © Tomorrow Never Dies / Eon Productions Ltd. and co-producers

According to Liam Neeson, he wasn't the first choice to be James Bond in the early 1990s. He had a few broad meetings with the film producer about it, but there were many other contenders being considered at the time.
But the actor declined the role because he was "taken," Liam Neeson confessed that he had to give up the legendary spy 007 in order to marry his late wife Natasha Richardson, who said she wouldn’t marry him if he took the part.

#4 Noah Calhoun — George Clooney and Ryan Gosling

Source: © Leatherheads / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © The Notebook / New Line Cinema and co-producers

In 2020, George Clooney said that he was planning to play a younger version of the main character in The Notebook, with Paul Newman playing an older Noah.
However, after careful thought and viewing numerous films with Newman, Clooney opted to decline the job. He believed he wasn't attractive enough in comparison to Newman, so they'd appear odd together. Instead, Ryan Gosling landed the job, which catapulted him to fame.

#5 Neo — Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves

Source: Mary Evans / AF Archive / Graham Whitby Boot / East News, © The Matrix / Village Roadshow Pictures and co-producers

Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves' artistic paths have intersected several times, one of which being The Matrix. The Wachowskis picked Depp as the first choice for the role of Neo. However, Warner Brothers opposed the pick; they desired someone like Brad Pitt.
But Depp turned down the part and handed it to Reeves, and today it's tough to imagine anybody else playing Neo.

#6 Sam Wheat — Bruce Willis and Patrick Swayze

Source: Mary Evans / AF Archive / David Gadd / East News, © Ghost / Paramount Pictures and co-producers

When Bruce Willis was given the leading role in Ghost, he was married to Demi Moore, which makes him the perfect man to play Sam. But when he read the screenplay, he couldn't figure out how the writers were going to build a love story between a woman and a ghost. So he declined the offer.
Patrick Swayze was also hesitant to take the part. But, his wife convinced him to read the script in one sitting, and he was brought to tears. So Patrick decided to portray the role of Sam Wheat.

#7 Daisy Domergue — Jennifer Lawrence and Jennifer Jason Leigh

Source: © Joy / Annapurna Pictures and co-producers, © The Hateful Eight / FilmColony and co-producers 

Quentin Tarantino desperately wanted Jennifer Lawrence to portray one of The Hateful Eight's core protagonists. He's a huge fan of the actress. However, due to her hectic schedule, they were unable to work together.
To be fair, Tarantino stated that Lawrence met with him only to be courteous. She was in the middle of filming Joy at the time.

#8 Harvey Dent — Matt Damon and Aaron Eckhart

Source: East News, © The Dark Knight / DC Comics and co-producers

Matt Damon passed on the iconic part of Harvey Dent in Nolan's film because he was working on another project. The actor stated that he was the major character in that project, and he would only have a minor role in The Dark Knight, so he had to make a decision.
However, Damon later appeared in Nolan's other film, Interstellar. And this time, he had to work extra hard to be the leading man in the film.

#9 Rose — Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet

Source: Mary Evans / AF Archive / Graham Whitby Boot / East News, © Titanic / Paramount Pictures and co-producers

We immediately think of Kate Winslet when we hear the name Rose from Titanic. Yet, in an alternate universe, Gwyneth Paltrow might have portrayed Rose instead.
The actress did not provide a clear response to why she declined the part, instead stating that all performers make errors and accept awful roles while rejecting wonderful ones. Wonder which role makes Paltrow turn down the Titanic?

#10 Michael Corleone — Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino

Source: © The Postman Always Rings Twice / Lorimar Film Entertainment and co-producers, © The Godfather: Part II / Paramount Pictures and co-producers

It is known that Jack Nicholson was willing to take the part, but he declined. He did this not because he was unsure about the film's success. On the contrary, he believed the part was crucial and that someone Italian should play it.
More specifically, he claims that while many actors could play Michael Corleone, Al Pacino was born to play him. And he was right!

#11 Ego — Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell

Source: © Free State of Jones / Route One Films and co-producers, © Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 / Walt Disney Studios and co-producers

Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey might have taken a crucial part in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He previously stated that he was researching scripts for Marvel and DC films, and many assumed he might play Ego.
However, McConaughey declined to participate in a Marvel production because he want to be in the adaption of Stephen King's The Dark Tower instead.

#12 Maximus — Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe

Source: East News, © Gladiator / Universal Pictures and co-producers

Mel Gibson was regarded as the right person to play Maximus, following his roles in Mad Max and Braveheart.
However, the actor declined the part because he believed he was too old for such intense action scenes. Russell Crowe, on the other hand, landed the part of Maximus and went on to become a Hollywood celebrity as a result.