Some characters are so attached to certain actors that it's hard to picture anyone else in these roles. However, many of them were not the first choices when the project started.
Today, let's check out our list of 19 iconic roles that were almost played by other stars. Do you think they would do a better job if they were able to make it to the end? Just scroll down to see, and don't forget to share your opinion with us!
#1. Will Smith almost played Neo
Source: Men In Black / Sony Pictures Releasing, The Matrix / Warner Bros.
The crew wanted Will Smith, but back then the idea of the movie was just too confusing for him. Smith later even joked that his animated approach would mess up this blockbuster.
#2. John Travolta almost played Forrest Gump
Source: Grease / Polydor Records, Forrest Gump / Paramount Pictures
John Travolta passed on the role of Forrest Gump to star in "Pulp Fiction", and the movie was a huge success too.
#3. Liam Hemsworth almost played Thor
Source: Gregorio T. Binuya/Everett Collection, Thor / Marvel Studios
Chris Hemsworth's brother Liam was also considered to play the MCU's hammer-wielding god.
#4. Emily Blunt almost played Black Widow
Source: The Devil Wears Prada / Fox 2000 Pictures, The Avengers / Marvel Studios
Emily Blunt almost played Black Widow in "Iron Man 2", but the actress turned down the offer in order to take part in "Gulliver's Travels".
#5. Eddie Redmayne almost played Peter Quill aka Star-Lord
Source: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/East News, Guardians of the Galaxy / Marvel Studios
Eddie Redmayne came to read for the role, but later Chris Pratt eventually got it.
#6. Jim Carrey almost played Edward Scissorhands
Source: Marechal Aurore/ABACA/EAST NEWS, Edward Scissorhands / 20th Century Fox
Johnny Depp did an awesome job, but initially Jim Carrey was the first choice of director Tim Burton.
#7. Ryan Gosling almost played Doctor Strange
Source: Allpix Press / EASTNEWS, Doctor Strange / Marvel
At first, Marvel Studios wanted Ryan Gosling to portray the Sorcerer Supreme. They even had a concept art created just for him.
#8. Christina Applegate almost played Elle Woods
Source: HT/ABACA/EAST NEWS, Legally Blonde / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Christina Applegate turned down the role because the actress was afraid that she would be typecast as a dumb blonde, especially after a decade playing Kelly Bundy in "Married With Children".
#9. Reese Witherspoon almost played Cher Horowitz
Source: reesewitherspoon / instagram, Clueless / Paramount Pictures
While the studio wanted Reese Witherspoon for the role, director Amy Heckerling insisted that Alicia Silverstone would be a perfect choice. And she was absolutely right.
#10. Michelle Pfeiffer almost played Clarice Starling
Source: One Fine Day / 20th Century Fox, Silence of the Lambs / Orion Pictures
Michelle Pfeiffer was actually the first choice to portray FBI agent Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs".
#11. Jason Momoa almost played Drax
Source: Tim Ireland/Invision/AP/East News, Guardians of the Galaxy / Marvel Studios
Jason Momoa turned down the role of Drax the Destroyer because, according to the actor himself, he was fed up with roles where he had to be shirtless and barely said much on screen.
#12. Gal Gadot almost played Nebula
Source: Hahn Lionel/ABACA/EAST NEWS, Guardians of the Galaxy / Marvel Studios
Before becoming DC's Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot was one of the first choices for Nebula of the MCU.
#13. Gwyneth Paltrow almost played Rose DeWitt Bukater
Source: Shakespeare in Love / Universal Pictures, Titanic / 20th Century Fox
Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the last two contenders for the role, but she actively turned it down.
#14. Christopher Walken almost played Han Solo
Source: Deer Hunter / Universal Pictures, Star Wars / Lucasfilm
Director George Lucas didn't really want to reuse actors from his previous movies so instead of Harrison Ford who worked with him in "American Graffiti", Christopher Walken was the first name that came to his mind.
#15. Bruce Willis almost played Sam Wheat
Source: Everett Collection / EAST NEWS, Ghost (1990) / Paramount Pictures
Bruce Willis and
Demi Moore were a famous off-screen pair back then, but he passed the opportunity to work with her as an on-screen couple in "Ghost".
#16. Olivia Wilde almost played Gamora
Source: BEHAR ANTHONY/SIPA/EAST NEWS, Guardians of the Galaxy / Marvel Studios
Olivia Wilde was the first actress to be offered the role, but she eventually rejected it herself.
#17. Matt Damon almost played Jake Sully
Source: CJ Contino/Everett Collection/EASTNEWS, Avatar / 20th Century Fox
Matt Damon had to pass on the role due to scheduling conflict while working on "The Bourne Ultimatum".
#18. Hugh Jackman almost played James Bond
Source: thehughjackman / instagram, Spectre / Sony Pictures Releasing
Hugh Jackman turned down the role because of fear that he would be typecast as an action star after playing Wolverine.
#19. Jake Gyllenhaal almost played Spider-Man
Source: EVERETT COLLECTION/EAST NEWS, Spiderman / Sony Pictures Releasing
Sony was afraid that Spider-Man 2 would be delayed, so they contacted Jake Gyllenhaal and tried to convince him to replace Tobey Maguire. However, Gyllenhaal turned down the offer to work on "Brokeback Mountain", which was also a cinematic phenomenon back then.