Actors Who Passed on Famous Roles: 20 Casting What Ifs
The allure of Hollywood’s “what might have been” scenarios never fails to captivate movie enthusiasts. Imagining a different actor embodying an iconic character, or pondering the reasons behind turning down a career-defining part, fuels endless discussion. The history of cinema is dotted with such instances, where Actors Who Passed On Famous Roles shaped film history in unexpected ways. These decisions, driven by scheduling conflicts, creative differences, or simply a gut feeling, offer fascinating glimpses into the unpredictable nature of stardom.
Exploring these casting near-misses reminds us that destiny, or perhaps just contractual obligations, often plays a significant role in who ultimately graces the screen. From superhero blockbusters to beloved romantic comedies and acclaimed dramas, the list of roles turned down by prominent actors is surprisingly long and varied. Join us as we delve into 20 memorable examples of actors who declined parts that later became iconic, forever linking their names with the roles they didn’t play.
Christina Applegate (Elle Woods, “Legally Blonde”)
Christina Applegate poses, known for passing on the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Christina Applegate boasts a successful and award-laden acting career, marked by unforgettable characters. She rose to fame as the endearingly dim Kelly Bundy on Married… with Children, earned acclaim for her sitcom Jesse, and delivered a powerful performance as Veronica Corningstone in the Anchorman films. Given her credentials, passing on the role of Elle Woods, famously brought to life by Reese Witherspoon, might not seem catastrophic. However, Applegate revealed to Entertainment Tonight in 2015 that fear played a part. “I got scared of kind of repeating myself,” she admitted, wary of taking another seemingly ditzy blonde role so soon after Married… concluded. Despite this initial reasoning, Applegate also expressed regret over her decision to pass on the iconic part.
Angela Bassett (Leticia Musgrove, “Monster’s Ball”)
Angela Bassett attending an event; she turned down the controversial role of Leticia Musgrove in Monster's Ball.
While Angela Bassett’s career trajectory in the late 1990s and early 2000s didn’t feature numerous leading roles, this didn’t compel her to accept the part of Leticia Musgrove. The role ultimately earned Halle Berry the historic distinction of being the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. According to a 2002 Entertainment Weekly report cited by Newsweek, Bassett stated her reason bluntly: “I wasn’t going to be a prostitutė on film.” Although the character Leticia Musgrove was not explicitly a prostitute, Bassett felt the portrayal was demeaning and potentially damaging to her career’s future, leading her to decline the celebrated role.
Beyoncé (“A Star is Born”)
Beyoncé performing on stage; she was once considered for the lead role in A Star is Born (2018).
The 2018 remake of A Star is Born garnered significant acclaim, but its casting journey involved some high-profile considerations. Bill Gerber, a producer on the film, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that serious discussions occurred about casting Beyoncé in the female lead role, eventually played by Lady Gaga. However, timing proved obstructive as Beyoncé became pregnant, preventing the plan from materializing. Reports also suggested potential male leads opposite her could have included Clint Eastwood or even Will Smith, before Bradley Cooper ultimately took the role alongside Gaga. Given the immense critical praise and awards bestowed upon Cooper and Gaga, the final casting appears to have been the ideal choice.
Emily Blunt (Black Widow, “Iron Man 2”)
Emily Blunt at a premiere; she famously had to pass on playing Black Widow in the MCU due to scheduling conflicts.
Emily Blunt has enjoyed consistent success since her breakout role in The Devil Wears Prada, but missing out on playing Natasha “Black Widow” Romanoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains a point of disappointment. When discussing the offer with Howard Stern in 2021, Blunt revealed that contractual obligations forced her hand. She was committed to the film Gulliver’s Travels, a project she reportedly did not wish to do, which prevented her from accepting the role brilliantly portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. “It was a bit of a heartbreaker for me,” Blunt admitted, highlighting the frustration of being among the Actors Who Passed On Famous Roles due to prior commitments.
Claire Danes (Rose DeWitt Bukater, “Titanic”)
Claire Danes smiles for the camera; she was strongly considered for Rose in Titanic but declined the role.
The iconic role of Rose in Titanic, masterfully played by Kate Winslet, attracted interest from several prominent actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow. Claire Danes was also a significant contender. Appearing on Dax Shephard’s Armchair Expert podcast in 2020 (reported by Vanity Fair), Danes confirmed “strong interest” in her for the part. The prospect of reuniting with her Romeo + Juliet co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio, was appealing. However, the three-time Emmy winner ultimately withdrew from consideration. She reportedly felt unprepared for the immense level of fame anticipated to accompany the film’s success, deciding against taking on such a high-magnitude role at that point in her career.
Sarah Michelle Gellar (Cher Horowitz, “Clueless”)
Sarah Michelle Gellar attends an event; she turned down the role of Cher in Clueless due to her All My Children schedule.
Alicia Silverstone became a 1990s icon thanks to her portrayal of Cher Horowitz in Clueless, making it difficult to envision anyone else in the role. Yet, according to US magazine, Sarah Michelle Gellar was initially offered the part. She had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with her ongoing role on the soap opera All My Children. While it’s impossible to know if Gellar would have achieved the same level of stardom from Clueless, fate had another iconic character in store for her. She soon landed the lead role in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, cementing her own place in pop culture history.
Mel Gibson (Maximus, “Gladiator”)
Mel Gibson speaking; he cited age as his reason for passing on the physically demanding role of Maximus in Gladiator.
Mel Gibson has courted controversy in recent years, but his decision regarding the lead role in Gladiator demonstrated sound judgment. The epic 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, earned Russell Crowe an Academy Award for his portrayal of Maximus. According to the New York Times, Gibson turned down the role primarily because he felt he was too old to convincingly portray the character and handle the intense physical demands required. It was a moment of self-awareness, acknowledging the part was better suited for a younger actor, ultimately proving to be the right call for the film’s success.
Michael B. Jordan (Dr. Dre, “Straight Outta Compton”)
Michael B. Jordan poses for photographers; he missed out on playing Dr. Dre due to his Fantastic Four contract.
Contractual obligations often dictate casting outcomes, as was the case for Michael B. Jordan. While now known for the Creed series and his role in Black Panther, Jordan was initially set to play Dr. Dre in the critically acclaimed 2015 N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton. However, as reported by various publications, his existing contract to star in the Fantastic Four reboot (2015) prevented him from taking the role. Fantastic Four ultimately faced commercial and critical disappointment, whereas Corey Hawkins received widespread praise for his portrayal of Dr. Dre in what became one of the decade’s standout films.
Rachel McAdams (Andy Sachs, “The Devil Wears Prada”)
Rachel McAdams at an event; she repeatedly turned down the lead role of Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada.
Rachel McAdams has carved out a successful career, earning an Oscar nomination for Spotlight and leaving a lasting impression as Regina George in Mean Girls. However, she famously passed on the role of Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada. According to Entertainment Weekly, McAdams was offered the part, eventually played by Anne Hathaway, an astonishing three times. Each time, she declined. Director David Frankel told EW, “She was determined not to do it.” While the reasons remain somewhat speculative, McAdams ultimately chose a different path, adding another intriguing “what if” to the list of actors who passed on famous roles.
Viggo Mortensen (Wolverine, “X-Men” Franchise)
Viggo Mortensen looking thoughtful; he declined playing Wolverine partly due to the multi-film commitment.
Best known for his acclaimed role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen had the opportunity to lead another major franchise. He was considered for the part of Wolverine in the X-Men films. According to reports from Entertainment Weekly and the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Mortensen’s reluctance stemmed from the commitment required for a multi-film series. Additionally, his son Henry, upon reviewing the script, apparently felt it was “wrong.” Consequently, Mortensen passed, and the iconic role went to Hugh Jackman, who embodied the character for nearly two decades, making it hard to imagine anyone else wielding the claws.
Jack Nicholson (Michael Corleone, “The Godfather”)
Jack Nicholson smiling; he believed an Italian actor should play Michael Corleone in The Godfather and passed.
Jack Nicholson’s legendary career certainly didn’t suffer from missing out on Michael Corleone. With three Academy Awards and unforgettable performances in films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Terms of Endearment, The Shining, and The Departed, his legacy is secure. Nicholson possessed a keen sense of which roles suited him. Regarding The Godfather, he explained his reasoning to Movieline in the early 2000s: “Back then I believed that Indians should play Indians and Italians should play Italians… Al Pacino was Michael Corleone. I can’t think of a better compliment to pay him.” His respect for authenticity led him to step aside for Pacino’s defining performance.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Clarice Starling, “The Silence Of The Lambs”)
Michelle Pfeiffer at an awards show; she found the ending of The Silence of the Lambs too dark and declined the Clarice role.
The role of FBI Agent Clarice Starling added another layer to Jodie Foster’s already impressive legacy. However, Michelle Pfeiffer was also considered for the part. In a 2021 interview with The New Yorker, Pfeiffer explained her hesitation stemmed from the film’s dark themes and conclusion. “I was trepidatious,” she admitted. “There was such evil in that film… It was that evil won in the end, that at the end of that film evil ruled out. I was uncomfortable with that ending.” Her moral discomfort with the narrative’s resolution led her to pass on what became an Oscar-winning role for Foster.
Molly Ringwald (Vivian Ward, “Pretty Woman”)
Molly Ringwald poses for a photo; she passed on Pretty Woman, feeling Julia Roberts ultimately defined the role.
As the reigning queen of 1980s teen rom-coms (Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink), Molly Ringwald was a natural choice to consider for 1990’s Pretty Woman. The role famously launched Julia Roberts into superstardom. According to People and The Guardian, Ringwald received an early version of the script but wasn’t particularly impressed. She chose not to pursue the part, later stating, “The script was okay, but I gotta say, Julia Roberts is what makes that movie. It was her part.” Ringwald expressed no regrets, even though her movie career didn’t sustain the same level of leading-lady status into the ’90s.
Julia Roberts (Annie Reed, “Sleepless in Seattle”)
Julia Roberts attending a film event; she turned down Sleepless in Seattle, paving the way for Meg Ryan.
Just as Molly Ringwald passed on Julia Roberts’ breakout role, Roberts herself turned down parts that became iconic for others. One notable example is the female lead, Annie Reed, in Sleepless in Seattle. The role went to Meg Ryan, whose chemistry with Tom Hanks became legendary in the beloved rom-com. Having already achieved massive success with Pretty Woman in a similar genre, Roberts seemingly wanted to explore different types of roles as the 1990s progressed. She told InStyle (via ABC News), “I’d been offered Sleepless in Seattle, but couldn’t do it… [Meg Ryan] and Tom Hanks are just such a jewel of a fit in that.”
Tom Selleck (Indiana Jones, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”)
Tom Selleck at an event; he famously had to pass on Indiana Jones due to his Magnum P.I. contract.
This is arguably one of the most famous “what if” casting stories in Hollywood history. George Lucas, hesitant to cast Harrison Ford again after Star Wars, sought a fresh face for Indiana Jones. Tom Selleck was offered the role for Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, as Selleck explained in an interview with BUILD (reported by Wide Open Country), he had just filmed the pilot for Magnum P.I. CBS refused to release him from his television contract, forcing him to pass. Ford stepped in, securing another iconic character. Selleck, however, holds no bitterness: “Harrison, this is your role… it’s just an interesting story. I signed a deal for Magnum, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Amanda Seyfried (Gamora, “Guardians of the Galaxy”)
Amanda Seyfried poses on a red carpet; she declined playing Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, misjudging the film's potential.
Hindsight is 20/20, as Amanda Seyfried learned regarding Guardians of the Galaxy. During an interview on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast (via People), Seyfried revealed she turned down the role of Gamora, ultimately played by Zoe Saldana. Her reasoning? A significant underestimation of the film’s potential appeal. “I didn’t want to be part of the first Marvel movie that bombed,” she confessed. “I said, ‘Who wants to see a movie about a talking tree and a raccoon?’ Which is clearly – I was very wrong.” Despite missing out on the MCU blockbuster, Seyfried’s career has flourished, earning her Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Will Smith (Neo, “The Matrix”)
Will Smith at an Oscars event; he famously turned down Neo in The Matrix, feeling he wasn't ready for the role.
The role of Neo in The Matrix attracted considerable interest from Hollywood A-listers before Keanu Reeves secured the part. Among those considered was Will Smith. In a conversation with Wired in the early 2000s, Smith candidly admitted why passing was likely for the best: “I watched Keanu’s performance — and very rarely do I say this — but I would have messed it up. I would have absolutely messed up The Matrix. At that point I wasn’t smart enough as an actor to let the movie be.” Interestingly, Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, later joined the franchise, co-starring in the sequels.
John Travolta (Forrest Gump, “Forrest Gump”)
John Travolta attends a premiere; he has expressed regret over passing on the title role in Forrest Gump.
It’s nearly impossible to picture anyone but Tom Hanks embodying the beloved Forrest Gump. Yet, John Travolta, whose career experienced a major resurgence with 1994’s Pulp Fiction, was offered the title role in Forrest Gump, also released in 1994. Travolta has frequently stated his regret over declining the part. While he passed on Gump, he starred in Pulp Fiction instead, earning an Oscar nomination the same year Hanks won for Forrest Gump. Though he missed out on one iconic role, his choice led him to another career-defining performance, making this one of the most debated casting what-ifs.
Emma Watson (Mia Dolan, “La La Land”)
Emma Watson poses for the camera; scheduling conflicts with Beauty and the Beast led her to pass on La La Land.
The Oscar-winning role of Mia Dolan in the 2016 musical sensation La La Land went to Emma Stone, but another famous Emma was initially in the running. According to reports surrounding ITV’s Lorraine show (cited by NME), Emma Watson was considered for the part. However, timing proved to be the obstacle. Watson was already committed to starring in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, which had conflicting schedules. This prior commitment prevented her from taking on the demanding role in La La Land, paving the way for Stone’s award-winning performance.
Bruce Willis (Sam Wheat, “Ghost”)
Bruce Willis at an event; he admitted he didn't understand the concept of Ghost and passed on the lead role.
While Bruce Willis memorably played a character interacting with the afterlife in The Sixth Sense (1999), he had earlier passed on the opportunity to portray a ghost himself in the 1990 blockbuster Ghost. The role of Sam Wheat, played opposite his then-wife Demi Moore, ultimately went to Patrick Swayze. Willis explained his reasoning to The New York Times (via Far Out): “I just didn’t get it. I said, ‘Hey, the guy’s dead. How are you gonna have a romance?’ Famous last words.” Willis humorously labeled himself a “knucklehead” for turning down the role that further solidified Swayze’s status as a Hollywood superstar.
These instances serve as compelling reminders that the path to cinematic history is often paved with rejected offers and unforeseen circumstances. The stories behind actors who passed on famous roles highlight the complex blend of artistic choice, contractual necessity, and sheer luck that shapes the films we come to know and love. While we can only speculate on how these movies might have differed with alternate casting, the final versions stand as testaments to the actors who ultimately brought these iconic characters to life. Which casting “what if” intrigues you the most?
