14 Movie Stars Who Could Have Got a Win-Win Role But Fate Said “NO”

Jessica Wilson
Jan 31, 2023
Jan 31, 2023

Casting is so important because it can make or break a movie. You can notice that not all actor in every film is the director or the studio’s first choice. Sometimes, roles are offered to some of the biggest actors in the world but they end up declining for a certain reason. Some are not satisfied with the offered salary while some can’t understand the plot of the film. Furthermore, some are interested in their characters but they have to turn it down because of their conflicting schedules.
For these reasons, many perfect roles are slipped away. Sometimes it works out for the best but there are many cases in which actors seriously regretted their decisions. No matter what the reason is, a few legendary characters could have looked incredibly different if things had gone a different route.
Today, we list 14 actors who almost portrayed iconic roles but they turned them down. If you want to see more, read these articles now: 11 Million-Dollar Roles, Roles That Could Have Earned Fame and Millions, and Movie Stars Turned Down Oscar-Winning Roles.

#1 Abigail Breslin would have liked to have been in The Hunger Games

Win-Win Role Source: East News, © Featureflash/Depositphotos.com

Abigail Breslin was one of the bright candidates for the role of Katniss Everdeen but the casting directors later decided to choose Lawrence who was a little older.

#2 Tom Selleck could have played the role of Indiana Jones

Win-Win Role Source: © Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark / Lucasfilm, East News

The cheerful adventurer Indiana Jones was almost portrayed by Tom Selleck. But, at that time, he had already signed on for the Magnum, P.I. TV series and he was allowed to join in one project.

#3 Leonardo DiCaprio could have played a lead role in Star Wars

Win-Win Role Source: LUCASFILM/HAMSHERE, KEITH/Album/EAST NEWS, © PopularImages/Depositphotos.com

Hayden Christensen impressed fans with the role of Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars”. Before him, many movie stars were considered, including Leonardo DiCaprio. But at that time, he didn’t feel ready for such a role.

#4 Blake Lively could have starred in Jennifer’s Body, instead of Megan Fox

Win-Win Role Source: East News, © everett225/Depositphotos.com

Blake Lively was first offered to play the role of Jennifer Check but, at that time, she was playing Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl. So the role went to Megan Fox.

#5 Julia Roberts was almost cast as the lead role in Sleepless in Seattle

Win-Win Role Source: EAST NEWS, Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News

Julia Roberts almost became the leading lady in “Sleepless in Seattle”. However, she said no because she didn’t feel up to it. Until now, she doesn’t regret it and thinks Meg Ryan did a great job.

#6 Russell Crowe chose not to play Aragorn

Win-Win Role Source: © The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers / Warner Bros., © Gladiator / Scott Free Productions

Russell Crowe never regretted declining to portray Aragorn in the iconic trilogy “Lord of the Rings”. The actor shared that Peter Jackson never really wanted to cast him for this role so he politely refused the offer.

#7 Liam Neeson didn’t portray James Bond because of his wife

Win-Win Role Source: East News, © everett225/Depositphotos.com

Liam Neeson was offered to play the role of James Bond but he wouldn’t have accepted it because of his late wife. Natasha Richardson didn’t feel comfortable with her husband playing in the movie. This prompted Neeson to sing the James Bond theme song whenever they were fighting to lighten up the mood.

#8 Drew Barrymore only wanted a small role in Scream

Win-Win Role Source: East News, East News

Despite being offered the leading role in “Scream”, Drew Barrymore insisted on only playing a supporting role instead. Eventually, the iconic character of Sydney Prescott went to Neve Campbell.

#9 Jeremy Irons could have played Dr. Hannibal Lecter

Win-Win Role Source: © Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo, © Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Because of the dark plot, Jeremy Irons refused to play Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Finally, Hopkins got the role and won an Oscar. Despite this, Irons was happy he did.

#10 Jennifer Connelly was considered for the role of Vivian in Pretty Woman

Win-Win Role Source: Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News, © PopularImages/Depositphotos.com

Jennifer Connelly is one of the candidates for the role of Vivian in “Pretty Woman”. Finally, Julia Roberts made the cut in the end and fulfilled the role perfectly.

#11 Emily Blunt turned down the role of Peggy Carter

Emily Blunt was invited to portray the lead female role in “Captain America: The First Avenger”. However, she turned it down because of conflicting schedules. Eventually, Hayley Atwell took on it.

#12 Rumer Willis could have played Blake Lively’s character in Gossip Girl

Before Blake Lively, Rumer Willis was considered for the role of Serena van der Woodsen but she felt that her audition was so awful. So she refused to play this role and never regrets it.

#13 Jamie Dornan was almost cast as Superman instead of Henry Cavill

Jamie Dornan and Henry Cavill both auditioned for the role of Superman but the latter won the role. the casting director felt Henry was a perfect choice.

#14 Sandra Bullock almost played Neo in The Matrix

Many actors were considered for the role of Neo, including Brad Pitt, Will Smith, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Even after many male actors declined the role, they considered changing Neo to a girl and invited Sandra Bullock to play it. It would have surely been interesting to see Neo portrayed by a woman, but it’s impossible to imagine the franchise without Keanu Reeves.

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