A lot goes into crafting a film, but the stars are at the forefront. When the leading performers in Hollywood’s most popular films chose to retire, the results would be drastically different. Consider Matthew McConaughey and Gwyneth Paltrow in Titanic. This was a possibility, believe it or not.
Whereas a blockbuster’s success is not exclusively dependent on its stars, the perfect cast may transform a film into a box office smash. However, the actors must first agree to accept their roles. And it can be a challenging process at times.
Characters become memorable in large part because of the performers who bring them to life, and it’s sometimes impossible to picture anyone else in the position after that.
However, some performers are fired from a part, some quit due to other commitments, and others simply refuse the offer. Certain actors regret declining a project, but others, such as Jack Nicholson, understand that it can be the right decision, regardless of how popular or critically acclaimed the picture becomes.
Continue reading to know about the iconic roles that could have been played by various actors.
1. The character of Harvey Dent in “The Dark Knight” was turned down by Matt Damon
Aaron Eckhart played the role.
During an interview with MTV about “Invictus,” Damon revealed that he had to turn down the iconic part of Harvey “Two-Face” Dent due to scheduling issues. He wasn’t going to be able to [appear in The Dark Knight]. It was due to a scheduling conflict. But, according to Damon, he never spoke to Chris Nolan.
He had no reservations about Nolan’s final villain pick. Aaron is a fantastic actor, hence the film did not suffer. You get it now and again, and you can’t be doing it.
2. In “Boogie Nights,” Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the part of Dirk Diggler
Mark Wahlberg played the role.
Paul Thomas Anderson sought DiCaprio to star in “Boogie Nights” after viewing him in “The Basketball Diaries.” DiCaprio declined the opportunity to star in “Titanic,” but he did recommend his buddy and “Basketball Diaries” co-star Mark Wahlberg.
In 2008, DiCaprio told GQ how he regretted declining the part. As asked whether he would change his mind if he had the chance, DiCaprio stated that he would not. However, it would have taken a different career path. He believes they’re both fantastic and wishes he could have worked on both of them.
3. Titanic
Kate Winslet starred as Rose DeWitt Bukater, and Gwyneth Paltrow had turned it down.
Gwynnie claimed that her mother thought it was “unladylike” to openly discuss roles she had turned down, including the lead role in Titanic.
She went on to say that she could not undo what had happened in the past, which is why we do not really know how she felt about declining later. But considering how beautiful the movie turned out to be, who would not have had regrets on turning it down?
4. Julia Roberts rejected Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side” & Margaret in “The Proposal”
Sandra Bullock was cast as the lead role.
Julia Roberts was turned up for not one, yet two parts were eventually given to Sandra Bullock.
The “Pretty Woman” actress appears in “The Proposal” after refusing to take a wage cut. Instead, Bullock accepted the part for a reduced salary. “The Proposal” has grossed over $317 million globally to date.
She also turned down the film “The Blind Side,” which is based on a true story. Bullock was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.
5. Al Pacino turned down several major roles, namely Han Solo in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
Harrison Ford played the role.
And during the 2013 event “An Eve ending with Pacino,” the actor revealed that he could have played Han Solo in the “Star Wars” saga.
It was his to have, but he claimed he didn’t comprehend the script. He also admitted to turning down roles in “Apocalypse Now” and “Pretty Woman,” which were later performed by Marlon Brando as well as Richard Gere, respectively.
6. La La Land
Mia Dolan is played by Emma Stone and Emma Watson has turned it down. It was initially planned for another renowned Emma to play Mia in the Oscar-winning musical feature picture.
It’s one of those annoying things where names are associated with projects early on to build expectation or enthusiasm for something that’s coming before anything is truly accepted or fixed in stone, the Harry Potter star stated in 2017. In the meantime, Emma Stone won her first Academy Award for her performance with Ryan Gosling. Years later, after Emma Stone backed out of Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, Emma Watson stepped in to fill the previously promised role.
7. The Matrix
Neo is played by Keanu Reeves and Will Smith has turned down the role.
In the second and third films, Keanu collaborated with Will Smith’s wife Jada, but the Fresh Prince actor was considered for the starring part.
Later, he confessed that he believes he would have “messed up” the position if he would have just taken it on, but I am sure we all wish to see him star in the movie. Nevertheless, it was an amazing movie, and Keanu Reeves did an amazing job.
8. Nicolas Cage turned down the role of Aragorn in the “Lord of the Rings” movie
Viggo Mortensen played the character.
Nicolas Cage said in a meeting with Newsweek that he rejected the role of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy due to the time commitment.
There were several factors in his life at the time that prevented him from travelling or being away from home for 3 years, he explained. He did say, though, that he doesn’t regret this because he got to watch the show as a fan.
9. The role as Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” was offered to Jack Nicholson, but he turned it down
Al Pacino portrayed the role.
In a 2004 interview with Movieline, Nicholson stated that he passed on the legendary part because he realized it wasn’t his.
He thought Indians must play Indians and Italians must play Italians back then. Several performers may have played Michael Corleone, including Al Pacino, although he was Michael Corleone. He can’t think of a more fitting compliment for him to pay.
Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, & Martin Sheen all were considered for the position of Corleone, according to a 2009 Vanity Fair story.
10. Angela Bassett has stated that she would not play Leticia in “Monsters Ball”
Halle Berry played the role.
Angela Bassett declined the role of Leticia in “Monster’s Ball” because she thought the portrayal was stereotyped and insulting. He wasn’t planning to be a prostitute [albeit the character isn’t that of a prostitute] in the movie, she told Newsweek. He couldn’t do it because black women and sexuality are so stereotyped.
Berry’s performance in the film earned her the first African-American actress an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
