Consider casting someone else as Jack Dawson, except Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. It turns out that many people were interested in playing the part, but just as many turned it down. When Paul Rudd auditioned for the part, Leonardo DiCaprio almost turned him down.
You should seriously consider playing a role because it can either launch your career or destroy it. For Leonardo, everything worked out well, but others may have second-guessed themselves for declining significantly. Look at these ten unforgettable parts that incredibly talented actors and actresses passed.
1. TAMZIN MERCHANT: Daenerys
Source: GAME OF THRONES
Emilia Clarke's role as Daenerys propelled her to popularity. Emilia Clarke secured the part after another notable actor missed reshoots in 2012. Tamzin Merchant played Queen of Dragons in the initial GOT set, which never aired. Tamzin didn't show up for reshoots, so Benioff and Weiss remade the episodes with Clarke. She chose The Tudors instead.
2. KEVIN SPACEY: RAYMOND REDDINGTON
Source: THE BLACKLIST
Criminal Concierge on the Blacklist One of the most compelling villains in film history is Raymond Reddington. James Spader may be a perfect fit for this role, but he was never the show's preferred actor at NBC. Kevin Spacey was approached about participating, but he ultimately decided to play Francis Underwood in House of Cards instead. The cinematic villain Raymond Reddington quickly became a fan favorite, but Kevin Spacey does not evoke the character.
3. JOHN LITHGOW: The JOKER
Source: Batman
While Lithgow has been in The Crown, he has been nominated for and won multiple Emmys for his performance. However, he has passed up opportunities to play other great characters. The project never went into production, but Lithgow was reportedly the frontrunner to play Batman and The Joker. When he was eventually cast as The Joker, he turned down the role, claiming he wasn't the right actor for the part. Before him, Jack Nicholson made $100 million.
4. EMILY BLUNT: BLACK WIDOW
Source: IRON MAN 2
If Emily Blunt had chosen to fly, Scarlett Johansson never would have been the Black Widow. Unfortunately, Blunt had already signed on with another production by the time shooting began. According to her, the shoot was scheduled at an inconvenient time. According to rumors, she had to turn down the part due to salary negotiations falling through. While Blunt has no qualms about passing on the part, she is interested in playing heroic roles in the future. She did, however, agree that Scarlett Johansson was fantastic in part.
5. BURT REYNOLDS: JAMES BOND
Source: James Bond
Even though Reynolds has extensive filmography, he was passed up for several parts. The invitation to play James Bond opposite Sean Connery was the part he turned down the most. He hesitated to participate because he thought people wouldn't accept an American 007. He lamented that Harrison Ford got the part of Han Solo in Star Wars instead of him. Additionally, he passed up the lead part opposite Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman in favor of Richard Gere.
6. JULIA ROBERTS: LEIGH ANNE
Source: THE BLIND DATE
After reading the script for The Blind Date, Julia Roberts decided against taking on the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy. Sandra Bullock, who also plays Julia Roberts in The Proposal, was cast. Bullock seems to be having a lot of luck with Julia's refusals, all the way up to the point when she turned down a role in Million Dollar Baby (which ultimately won Hilary Swank her second Oscar). The Hollywood game of declining roles seems to be running in circles.
7. SEAN CONNERY: GANDALF
Source: GAME OF THRONES
It's no secret that many people would kill to be a part of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and its accompanying financial and critical success. Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf, the Wizard, and a cut of the $2.9 billion in earnings. But he declined the part, saying he couldn't follow the plot. Even after the production, he admitted he didn't get the job but thought the perks were cute.
8. ANNE HATHAWAY: Alison Scott
Source: KNOCKED UP
Katherine Heigl became a household name thanks to her portrayal of this iconic character and the controversies that followed. Still, she was never anyone's first pick to play the comedic lead. Even though Anne Hathaway was originally cast as Alison Scott, the job ultimately went to Katherine Heigl (and she was fantastic) because she was the only one who accepted it. She said it was difficult because she had never given birth before and was expected to do so on stage. She must have been worried about messing up the scene.
9. LILY ALLEN: YARA GREYJOY
Source: GAME OF THRONES
Alfie Allen played Theon Greyjoy, and Lily Allen turned down the part. Yara and Theon Greyjoy have survived all seasons of Game of Thrones, demonstrating the power of family. Theon Greyjoy was the family's black sheep early in the show and made passes on his sister before he knew her identity. Lily Allen was uneasy with her brother touching her. Thus she declined the part.