14 Characters That Were Rejected By Huge Actors But Later Became Iconic

Many of the films we know and love today came out exactly as they were supposed to, with the perfect actor and actress in place. However, some of the best epic films of all time almost ended up looking very different than they do now! 
For example, consider a film like Doctor Strange starring someone other than Benedict Cumberbatch! Continue reading to find out which dashing pin-up was considered for the role of Doctor Strange! 
When we think of the film A Star Is Born, we immediately think of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. Who would have thought that other talented actors and actresses could have filled those roles instead? Without these two incredible stars in the lead roles, the movie would have looked very different.
Scroll down to see what some iconic characters would look like if the original actors accepted them. 

#1 Alice in Alice in Wonderland

Source: East News, East News

Originally, Anne Hathaway was invited to play Alice, but she had grown tired of playing "charming princesses in fancy dresses." She aspired to play the White Queen and thus refused the lead role.
Tim Burton, on the other hand, had his own plans and had already cast the actress he wanted to play the White Queen. Fortunately for Anne, this actress had to withdraw from the project due to other responsibilities. The studio gave Hathaway the go-ahead, and after speaking with Burton, she landed the coveted role.

#2 Ally in A Star is Born

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For years, rumors circulated that Beyoncé would play the aspiring singer Ally in the film A Star Is Born. Clint Eastwood chose her for the role when he took on the project. Beyoncé met with the world-famous director, who approved her after only one conversation. The singer was overjoyed, believing that this would be the most important role of her life.
However, Eastwood couldn't find an actor to play the lead male role, and after numerous delays, he decided to stop production on A Star Is Born. The project was then rejected by Beyoncé due to scheduling conflicts and other personal reasons. As a result, a completely different film starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga was created.

#3 Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey

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Charlie Hunnam rose to prominence after starring in the television series Sons of Anarchy. A year before the end of this project, the actor signed a contract to appear in the long-awaited adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. However, Hunnam announced a few months later that he would not play the eccentric millionaire Christian Grey.
As it turned out, Charlie was nervous about taking part in such a large-scale production. He only had a few days to transform himself from a tough biker into a totally different character. The schedule was so tight that Hunnam chose to break his contract, and the role went to Jamie Dornan.

#4 Cinderella, in the 2015 film of the same name

Source: Walt Disney Co. / East News, Jordan Strauss / East News

In Kenneth Branagh's adaptation, Emma Watson was the first to be offered the role of Cinderella. But she was looking for more inspirational roles than the fairy tale's famous orphan. As a result, British actress Lily James starred in the film. The film did extremely well at the box office and had excellent reviews from critics. Meanwhile, Emma got to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast, a much better representation of her spirit.

#5 Doctor Strange from the Marvel Universe

Source: Walt Disney Co. / East News, East News

Joaquin Phoenix prefers to star in indie films and avoids major projects. Nonetheless, Marvel attempted to entice him several times by offering him the roles of the Hulk and Doctor Strange.
The latter role caught Phoenix's interest, and he debated whether or not to accept it. But he declined because he was concerned about having to appear in countless sequels and crossovers. As a result, Benedict Cumberbatch was cast in the role.

#6 Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody

Source: East News, Andy Kropa / East News

The producers of this biopic wanted Oscar Isaac to play Freddie Mercury, but the actor didn't think it was such a good idea. “At the time I was like, I don’t think anybody wants to see somebody pretend to be Freddie Mercury. You could just watch him on YouTube. Why would anybody want to watch somebody pretend to do him, you know?”  Oscar says.
Isaac later admitted he was mistaken, but he still believes he would not have been able to do the role. "I just think he was great; obviously everyone thought so," the actor added.

#7 Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road

Source: Warner Bros / East News, ANGELA WEISS / East News

After Tom Hardy was cast in the role of Max Rockatansky, the filmmakers considered casting Jessica Chastain, possibly because the duo looked fantastic in the 2012 film Lawless.
However, Jessica is too elegant, and it is unlikely that she could play a ruthless warlord persuasively like Furiosa. As a result, Jessica chose to star in Crimson Peak, with Hardy working alongside Charlize Theron on set.

#8 Margaret and Walter Keane in Big Eyes

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Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds were announced as co-stars in Margaret Keane's biographical film Big Eyes in 2012, shortly before production began. It wasn't clear who would be in charge of the film at the time.

Source: East News, Kristin Callahan / Everett Collection / East News

Tim Burton, on the other hand, decided to not only produce but also direct the film. He changed the cast for his film, choosing Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.

#9 Meg March in Little Women

Source: Everett Collection / East News, VINCENZO PINTO / East News

Greta Gerwig, the director of Little Women, had originally intended to cast Emma Stone in one of the lead roles - Meg March. She had to leave the project after a while due to a contract to participate in the promotional tour for the film The Favourite. As a replacement, the creators chose Emma Watson, and the Harry Potter star shone once more on screen. This time as a March sister.

#10 Selina in The Batman

Source: Warner Bros / East News, East News

After the auditions, the producers of the latest Batman film had their sights set on four actresses who could play Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman. Ana de Armas, who became famous in the James Bond film No Time to Die, was one of their favorites. Ana even performed her lines alongside Robert Pattinson. However, the studio preferred Zo Kravitz as the star.

#11 Steve Jobs in the self-titled film

Source: Universal / East News, Marechal Aurore / East News

Christian Bale not only agreed to play Steve Jobs in the autobiographical film of the same name but also started filming. Then, unexpectedly, he dropped out of the project, giving Michael Fassbender his place.
As it turned out, Bale was acting at the request of Steve Jobs's widow, who was initially opposed to the film. Despite production issues, Steve Jobs was met with critical acclaim, and Fassbender was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.

#12 Thomas Sharpe in Crimson Peak

Source: Kerry Hayes / East News, MICHAEL TRAN / East News

In the horror film Crimson Peak, Benedict Cumberbatch was supposed to play Thomas Sharpe. However, the actor suddenly dropped out of the project with no explanation. For a long time, rumors circulated that Cumberbatch had been forced to decline the role to pursue something more interesting.
However, Benedict later admitted that creative differences with the director, Guillermo del Toro, had compelled him to leave. Tom Hiddleston took Cumberbatch's place on the set.

#13 Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook

Source: East News, East News

Silver Linings Playbook was supposed to star Anne Hathaway and Mark Wahlberg, but both actors dropped out before filming began. Hathaway stated creative differences with director David O. Russell as the reason for her departure. As a result, Jennifer Lawrence was her replacement.