Directors usually have more than one actor in mind when casting the lead role, which can make or break the film. They take into account more than looks and acting chops while making their decision... The success of a shoot also depends on the people involved, their personalities, creativity, and availability.
Even a minor disagreement can result in the top pick being passed over during the casting process. The following is an interesting list of
actors who almost played iconic roles; think about how different these films would be if the directors had stuck with their first pick!
9. Dustin Hoffman as Rick Deckard
Source: Collected
Dustin Hoffman was on the cusp of playing the lead part in "Blade Runner," but he instead sided with The Ladd Company. Instead of considering the actor's perspective, they decided to ignore it. Hoffman decided it would be best if the protagonist were darker and angrier.
8. Christopher Walken as Han Solo
Source: Collected
We can't picture anyone other than Harrison Ford in the character of Han Solo. Curiously, George Lucas originally envisioned other actors in this part. The odds were high that Christopher Walken would get the part, but the director changed his mind at the last minute
7. Tobey Maguire as Bilbo Baggins
Source: Collected
Ex-Spider-Man Tobey Maguire was considered for the part. Peter Jackson, however, rejected everyone else for the part of Bilbo Baggins save Martin Freeman.
6. Angelina Jolie as Velma Kelly
Source: Collected
Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta-Jones have a strained relationship to this day because of their rivalry over the role of Velma Kelly. Catherine Zeta-Jones received the Oscar for not only best-supporting actress but also the coveted role.
5. Kate Winslet as Bridget Jones
Source: Collected
Kate was too young to play the part of the charming overweight woman. The actress played Bridget, who was supposed to be older than 30, although she was just 26. Renée Zellweger was ultimately cast in the role, and audiences were pleased.
4. David Schwimmer as Agent J
Source: Collected
In this case, the actor would play the sidekick of a seasoned resistance fighter against extraterrestrial invasion. But David turned down the part because he worried his senior coworker on set would overshadow him. Never mind how Schwimmer would have seemed; Will Smith makes a fantastic impression here.
3. Kristen Stewart as Diana
Source: Collected
Stewart, who has appeared in several films as fantastical heroines, declined the part of Wonder Woman. Perhaps it's because she's always preferred her hair short and hates having to use wigs (she wore one while filming Twilight).
2. Ryan Gosling as Joker
Source: Collected
Gosling was offered the role of the villainous Joker in Suicide Squad, but he turned it down at the last minute because he wanted to appear in subsequent films as well. Probably, he wasn't ready to make such a serious commitment.
1. Tom Cruise as Steve Jobs
Source: Collected
The film's creators were split down the middle: some thought Tom Cruise would make a great leader, while others argued against him due to his advanced age. Michael Fassbender was cast in part, and we agree he has a better likeness of Apple's co-founder than the other contenders.