Is the presence of celebrities essential to the success of movies? That notion appears to be the driving force behind movie companies that pay actors millions of dollars in salaries. Indeed, many characters become iconic almost thanks to the actors who bring them to life. Therefore, it's often difficult to imagine anyone else taking on this role after that.
But do you know that there are some actors who almost missed the opportunity to make it big? Yes, some stars turned down the roles due to scheduling issues, while others declined due to other work commitments.
So, who are they? Scroll down to see 13 famous actors who missed the chance to land their biggest roles. You may be surprised as you can’t imagine how the famous character you know was played by other celebs as they initially planned. Some of them were OK with that, yet others felt bitter when they lost their beloved roles to others.
Throughout the preproduction phase, there were rumors that Jessica Chastain will take the lead role in "Blonde". But as everyone knows, Ana de Armas played Marilyn Monroe. Chastain admitted in an interview that she herself turned down the role. She said that she has no interest in creating another biopic on Marilyn Monroe.
Robert Pattinson might have portrayed the elusive agent Napoleon Solo, but Henry Cavill was able to land the role. For years, Robert Pattinson has been his rival and was the one who was cast in various prestigious parts that Cavill applied for. For example, Cavill wanted to play Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter series and Edward in The Twilight Saga, but he lost to Pattinson. So the starring role in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." became his personal triumph.
Many young actresses auditioned for the role of Catwoman in the newest "Batman" movie. The "Game of Thrones" actor Nathalie Emmanuel was one of the probable choices. However, Zo Kravitz was ultimately given the part. It's important to note that Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway—all prior Catwoman actors—supported this casting decision.
According to sources, Leonardo DiCaprio pleaded with the makers of "The Beach" to put the picture on hold so he could film "The Mummy," whose script he genuinely liked. Sadly, the producers declined. Meanwhile, "The Mummy" creators cast Brendan Fraser, who played the part brilliantly.
Natalie Portman was given the opportunity to play the immortal beauty Adaline, but she declined without a reason. Blake Lively consequently decided to portray this role, and it worked well. For her performance, she was nominated for a number of significant film awards. And even though she didn’t win any of them, we still have a hard time picturing anybody else portraying Adaline as successfully as Lively did.
"The Devil's Advocate" was originally going to be directed by Joel Schumacher, and Brad Pitt was going to portray the young attorney. Pitt, however, was excluded from the project and Taylor Hackford took Schumacher's position. Finally, Keanu Reeves got the role of Kevin, who chose to star in "The Devil’s Advocate" over "Speed 2", even though he was promised a nice amount of money for it.
Producers wanted Margot Robbie to portray the attractive woman Emily Blunt's character observes daily from the train's window. However, Robbie didn’t join the project for some reasons, so Haley Bennet, who was little-known at the time, was cast in the part. The director of the movie claims he adopted his colleagues' suggestions and has never looked back.
In the 1970s, the rights to the novel's film version were purchased, and John Travolta was set to star as Lestat. However, the project was eventually placed on hold since there were too many vampire films available. By the time the film was in preproduction, Travolta was too old to play the always-young vampire, therefore Tom Cruise was cast in it and excelled in it.
Emma Stone was the original choice of the producers to play Jane in "The Legend of Tarzan", but she declined. So Jane has become another bright character in Robbie’s filmography.
Despite Jessica Biel's audition, Scarlett Johansson ultimately won the role of Mary in "The Other Boleyn Girl". Biel was extremely upset because she had dreamed about playing this role. “Movie directors want that top tier of girls,” she complained in an interview.
Reese Witherspoon produced the movie and planned to star in it. But her colleagues persuaded her against it. “David Fincher said I wasn’t right for the role, and I actually completely agreed with him,” Witherspoon explained in an interview. Eventually, Rosamund Pike took on the lead role.
The actress Keira Knightley was a candidate to play Jane Austen. It's maybe because Knightley portrayed the lead character in "Pride & Prejudice", a film adaptation of the author's other book. However, Anne Hathaway finally received the part, and everyone praised her for her performance.
Originally, Kate Beckinsale was cast for the role of the main character’s wife, but she withdrew from consideration two weeks into the filming process for personal reasons. Fortunately, "Downton Abbey"'s actress Michelle Dockery was a great stand-in for the original cast member.
But do you know that there are some actors who almost missed the opportunity to make it big? Yes, some stars turned down the roles due to scheduling issues, while others declined due to other work commitments.
So, who are they? Scroll down to see 13 famous actors who missed the chance to land their biggest roles. You may be surprised as you can’t imagine how the famous character you know was played by other celebs as they initially planned. Some of them were OK with that, yet others felt bitter when they lost their beloved roles to others.
#1 Marilyn — "Blonde"
Source: Elizabeth Goodenough / Everett Collection / East News, © Blonde / Plan B Entertainment
Throughout the preproduction phase, there were rumors that Jessica Chastain will take the lead role in "Blonde". But as everyone knows, Ana de Armas played Marilyn Monroe. Chastain admitted in an interview that she herself turned down the role. She said that she has no interest in creating another biopic on Marilyn Monroe.
#2 Napoleon — "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
Source: Jennifer Graylock / Sipa USA / East News, © The Man from U.N.C.L.E. / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Robert Pattinson might have portrayed the elusive agent Napoleon Solo, but Henry Cavill was able to land the role. For years, Robert Pattinson has been his rival and was the one who was cast in various prestigious parts that Cavill applied for. For example, Cavill wanted to play Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter series and Edward in The Twilight Saga, but he lost to Pattinson. So the starring role in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." became his personal triumph.
#3 Selina — "The Batman"
Source: Invision / Invision / East News, © The Batman / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Many young actresses auditioned for the role of Catwoman in the newest "Batman" movie. The "Game of Thrones" actor Nathalie Emmanuel was one of the probable choices. However, Zo Kravitz was ultimately given the part. It's important to note that Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway—all prior Catwoman actors—supported this casting decision.
#4 Rick — "The Mummy"
Source: STIEFLER / BABIRAD / SIPA / East News, © The Mummy / Universal Pictures and co-producers
According to sources, Leonardo DiCaprio pleaded with the makers of "The Beach" to put the picture on hold so he could film "The Mummy," whose script he genuinely liked. Sadly, the producers declined. Meanwhile, "The Mummy" creators cast Brendan Fraser, who played the part brilliantly.
#5 Adaline — "The Age of Adaline"
Source: VILLARD / NIVIERE / SIPA / East News, © The Age of Adaline / Lionsgate and co-producers
Natalie Portman was given the opportunity to play the immortal beauty Adaline, but she declined without a reason. Blake Lively consequently decided to portray this role, and it worked well. For her performance, she was nominated for a number of significant film awards. And even though she didn’t win any of them, we still have a hard time picturing anybody else portraying Adaline as successfully as Lively did.
#6 Kevin — "The Devil’s Advocate"
Source: EVERETT COLLECTION / East News, © The Devil's Advocate / Warner Bros. and co-producers
"The Devil's Advocate" was originally going to be directed by Joel Schumacher, and Brad Pitt was going to portray the young attorney. Pitt, however, was excluded from the project and Taylor Hackford took Schumacher's position. Finally, Keanu Reeves got the role of Kevin, who chose to star in "The Devil’s Advocate" over "Speed 2", even though he was promised a nice amount of money for it.
#7 Megan — "The Girl on the Train"
Source: Elizabeth Goodenough / Everett Collection / East News, © The Girl on the Train / Dreamworks Pictures and co-producers
Producers wanted Margot Robbie to portray the attractive woman Emily Blunt's character observes daily from the train's window. However, Robbie didn’t join the project for some reasons, so Haley Bennet, who was little-known at the time, was cast in the part. The director of the movie claims he adopted his colleagues' suggestions and has never looked back.
#8 Lestat — "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles"
Source: Album Online / East News, © Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles / Geffen Pictures
In the 1970s, the rights to the novel's film version were purchased, and John Travolta was set to star as Lestat. However, the project was eventually placed on hold since there were too many vampire films available. By the time the film was in preproduction, Travolta was too old to play the always-young vampire, therefore Tom Cruise was cast in it and excelled in it.
#9 Jane — "The Legend of Tarzan"
Source: Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews / East News, © The Legend of Tarzan / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Emma Stone was the original choice of the producers to play Jane in "The Legend of Tarzan", but she declined. So Jane has become another bright character in Robbie’s filmography.
#10 Mary — "The Other Boleyn Girl"
Source: East News, © The Other Boleyn Girl / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
Despite Jessica Biel's audition, Scarlett Johansson ultimately won the role of Mary in "The Other Boleyn Girl". Biel was extremely upset because she had dreamed about playing this role. “Movie directors want that top tier of girls,” she complained in an interview.
#11 Amy — "Gone Girl"
Source: Matt Baron / BEImages / East News, © Gone Girl / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers
Reese Witherspoon produced the movie and planned to star in it. But her colleagues persuaded her against it. “David Fincher said I wasn’t right for the role, and I actually completely agreed with him,” Witherspoon explained in an interview. Eventually, Rosamund Pike took on the lead role.
#12 Jane — "Becoming Jane"
Source: Gregorio Binuya / Everett Collection / East News, © Becoming Jane / HanWay Films and co-producers
The actress Keira Knightley was a candidate to play Jane Austen. It's maybe because Knightley portrayed the lead character in "Pride & Prejudice", a film adaptation of the author's other book. However, Anne Hathaway finally received the part, and everyone praised her for her performance.
#13 Rosalind — "The Gentlemen"
Source: AFP / East News, © The Gentlemen / Miramax and co-producers
Originally, Kate Beckinsale was cast for the role of the main character’s wife, but she withdrew from consideration two weeks into the filming process for personal reasons. Fortunately, "Downton Abbey"'s actress Michelle Dockery was a great stand-in for the original cast member.