We’re often overwhelmed by the way celebrities shine in the blockbuster movies they were cast. However, there’s way more that happens outside of the spotlight. For every audition a celebrity nails, there's certainly another they bombed, and many were refused to land their dreams because of it.
However, sometimes, famous people are turned down the role for strange reasons. Their fame doesn’t work, and in certain cases, it is the main culprit.
We’ve rounded up some celebs who were pretty close to their dream roles, but things didn’t go as planned and the reason may shock you.
#1. Harry Styles
Source: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Harry Styles really wanted to portray the leading role in the movie Elvis but he was refused. The director said, “Harry is a really talented actor. I would work on something with him. The real issue with him is that he’s Harry Styles. He’s already an icon.” Eventually, Austin Butler took on the part.
#2. Tom Holland
Source: Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images
Tom Holland auditioned for a role in the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens but it didn’t go well.
He said, “I just couldn’t stop laughing. I found it so funny. And I felt really bad because she was trying really hard to be a convincing android or drone or whatever they’re called. Yeah, I obviously didn’t get the part. That wasn’t my best moment.”
#3. Freddie Prinze Jr.
Source: realfreddieprinze/Instagram
Freddie Prinze Jr. dreamed of playing Spider-Man but in his audition, he went off-topic.
He said, “I go into this whole universe on what my favorite parts of Spider-Man were, and I foolishly bring up the alien symbiote, which is Venom. When I left, I was like, ’You just talked about Venom instead of Spider-Man for 25 minutes,’ and I drove home so upset and angry.”
#4. Andrew Garfield
Source: East News
Andrew Garfield auditioned for the role of Prince Caspian in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia, but it didn’t go well. The actor said, “I was so desperate... And that handsome, brilliant actor, Ben Barnes, ended up getting the role. I think it was down to me and him, and I remember I was obsessed.”
#5. Eddie Redmayne
Source: East News
Eddie Redmayne wanted to play the role of Kylo Ren in the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens so he auditioned for the part. However, the role went to Adam Driver.
Eddie explained, “That was really a hilarious moment. Because it was Nina Gold, who I have to thank a lot because she’s cast me in several films, and she was just sitting there, and I was trying again and again with different versions of my kind of ’koohh paaaah’ voice. And after like 10 shots, she’s like, ’You got anything else?’ I was like,’No.’”
#6. Chris Klein
Source: Dee Cercone/East News
To land a role in Mamma Mia!, Chris Klein had to sing during the audition and it didn’t go well.
He said, “I took a chance. I can’t sing! I don’t know why I was in there. But I took a chance! It’s a musical, let’s see if I can give it a shot. And, you know, the way that they put it out there, it gets taken out of context and all that. It was really a dreadful audition.”
#7. Robin Williams
Source: East News
Robin Williams wanted to play Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie but producers rejected him for a rule. The role was made for a British actor. The casting director said no to Robin and that was why he wasn’t going to say yes to other American actors.
#8. Robert Redford
Source: East News
Robert Redford didn’t land the leading role in The Graduate because the director said he couldn’t play a loser.
The director commented, “We interviewed hundreds, maybe thousands of men. I said, ’You can’t play it. You can never play a loser.’ And Redford said, ’What do you mean? Of course, I can play a loser.’ And I said, ’OK, have you ever struck out with a girl?’ and he said, ’What do you mean?’ And he wasn’t joking.”
#9. Sean Young
Source: East News
Sean Young came close to playing the role of Vicki Vale in the movie Batman. Unfortunately, she got into an accident and she was asked to limit movement. The role went to Kim Basinger.
#10. Christian Bale
Source: Marechal Aurore/East News
Christian Bale had an audition for the role of Jack Dawson in the movie Titanic. But the director didn’t want to hire two British actors playing American characters in one film. Eventually, Leonardo Di Caprio took on the role.
Do you have other actors in mind that you think would fit these roles best? Share your thoughts in the comments.