Iconic Movie Roles That These Actors Regretted Turning Down

Find out which actors were almost cast in these iconic roles, and be prepared to have your mind blown!

It was a brave move, as he could have easily taken the part and gone on to become even more of a legend. Yet his decision to pass on the role exemplifies the kind of integrity, humility and respect he has for his craft. Nicholson has gone on to become one of the most respected and admired actors in the business, showing that sometimes it pays to stand by your principles.

Though we can’t be sure what might have been had Travolta accepted the role in Forrest Gump, it’s safe to say it wouldn’t have been the same without Hanks. The fact that Travolta chose a different path makes the story of Forrest Gump even more interesting and intriguing.

He felt that the pitch for the movie sounded confusing and dull, so he opted to take on Wild Wild West instead. Despite his success in the latter, Smith doesn’t look back on his decision fondly. He admits to regretting his choice, and who can blame him?

Director Stanley Kubrick had the legendary comedian at the top of his list of choices to take on the iconic role. Although it’s hard to imagine anyone but Jack Nicholson in the part, it’s fascinating to imagine what could have been.

It’s hard to imagine the film without Ledger and Gyllenhal, but it’s interesting to consider the film that might have been with three of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. While they may have passed on the project, Brokeback Mountain still became a classic.

Little did he know that the film would become one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Burton went on to cast actor Jack Nicholson in the iconic role of The Joker, but Lithgow’s hesitation to portray him is an interesting look into the history of the beloved movie.

He thought that the famous British spy had to be portrayed by a British actor. Despite missing out on the role, Reynolds still holds a special place in the hearts of many movie goers.

“I got scared of kind of repeating myself,” she said. “What a stupid move that was, right?” Fans of the 2001 classic can only imagine what Applegate’s take on the iconic character would have been like.

Little did he know, he was turning down an estimated $450 million payday! The opportunity of a lifetime may have been missed, but then again Connery went on to play plenty of other amazing roles instead.

In a 2014 interview with MTV, Pacino said that at the peak of his career, he was being offered every part. Despite not being the right fit for the part, he was still in consideration. It’s a shame Pacino didn’t jump at the opportunity to be part of such a beloved franchise.

Every now and then you get one and you can’t do it.” This allowed Eckhart to take the reins and showcase his skill as an actor. The Dark Knight went on to be a massive success and Eckhart was praised for his performance.

Despite this, his legacy in the world of cinema is undeniable and it’s left to our imagination as to how different the film would have been had he taken the part. It’s a case of ‘what if’ that will remain a mystery, but it’s certain that Jurassic Park would have been a much different movie with Harrison Ford in the lead role.

It’s certainly a puzzling situation that has left many wondering what could have been. Was it an issue with the script? Did he have a prior commitment? We may never know the answer, but one thing’s for sure, Depp’s refusal of this part has become part of Hollywood lore!

It was Scarlett Johansson who received the call up, yet it was only after Blunt had turned the part down that Johansson was approached. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role, but it’s exciting to consider what could have been!

This meant that the world was denied Selleck’s charm and wit in the famous action-adventure movie. Thankfully, the role went to Ford, who made Indiana Jones an iconic character. We can only imagine what could have been if Selleck had accepted the role.

The exact reason why Monroe didn’t star in the movie remains a mystery. It is speculated, however, that Capote wasn’t a fan of Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal. Whatever the case, Monroe will forever remain Capote’s first choice for the unforgettable character of Holly Golightly.

Without a doubt, this was a missed opportunity for the beloved actor, whose portrayal of the characters could have been nothing short of brilliant. Though we may never know what could have been, we can only imagine the magic Nicolas Cage could have conjured in this beloved fantasy franchise.

Unfortunately, he had to turn it down. In 2017, McKellen told the BBC that he couldn’t “take over the part from an actor who I’d known didn’t approve of me”. Harris had once been quoted saying that McKellen was “technically brilliant, but passionless”. We may never know what McKellen could have brought to the role, but we can certainly appreciate his self-awareness and respect for his fellow actor.

While the beloved actress is best known for her roles in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, it’s fascinating to think of what could have been had she taken on the part of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman.

“Listen to your gut – it knows everything,” Winkler said, hinting that he would have taken the role if he could have his time over. The actor added that though he didn’t regret his decision, he wished he had gone with his gut feeling. Winkler’s advice is a great reminder that, sometimes, our instincts are more reliable than logic.

While many fans of the movie would have loved to see the star take on the part, the role was eventually filled by Kevin Bacon, who delivered an electrifying performance. This casting decision ended up being a part of movie history, as the film went on to become an iconic classic.

In an interview with V Man in 2015, he said, “It was the worst professional experience of my life. It was the most emotionally destructive and difficult thing that I’ve ever had to deal with professionally. It was heartbreaking.” Hunnam’s story of disappointment and heartbreak is one that many of us can likely relate to.

Despite this, ‘Deloris’ went on to become one of the most beloved movie characters of all time. While we don’t know how she would have played the part, Midler’s absence in this classic movie is still a missed opportunity.

Watson opened up about the missed chance in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2017, saying, “It’s one of these frustrating things where names get attached to projects very early on as a way to kind of build anticipation or excitement for something that’s coming before anything is really actually agreed or set in stone.” 

McConaughey shared that he had auditioned with Kate Winslet, saying it was a “good audition”. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to land him the role and he didn’t get an offer. His story is a reminder that, even with confidence and a good performance, things don’t always go as planned.

“You look at the big picture and think, there’s a universal lesson here.” Paltrow’s outlook is a reminder that our decisions, whether big or small, can have a lasting impact and that it is always important to be mindful of the broader context.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t given any say in the matter and he was also worried that if he accepted the part, he wouldn’t have time to work on his other projects. Ultimately, his decision to decline the Bond role allowed him to take on a variety of diverse roles, showcasing his incredible acting range.

In her book I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, Hudson wrote, “As much as I was moved by this film, I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight.” The power of self-love, confidence and courage are all found in her story. Jennifer Hudson is an inspiration to us all.

Although Cher didn’t officially turn down the part, Sonnenfeld knew it wasn’t the right fit for the film. In the end, the role of Morticia was played with distinction by Anjelica Huston.

He said, “I just didn’t get it. I said, ‘Hey, the guy’s dead. How are you gonna have a romance?’ Famous last words.” Little did he know that the movie would become an icon, winning multiple awards and becoming a classic love story. Nonetheless, Bruce Willis still remains one of Hollywood’s leading actors.

In an interview with GQ, Neeson said, “I thought, ‘I’m not supposed to be here…I don’t want to play this Lincoln. I can’t be him’.” He further added that, during the table read, he felt disconnected from the extraordinary piece of writing, which he attributed to his grief. Despite the missed opportunity, he remains thankful for his multitude of other experiences he’s had as an actor.

Despite the actor’s refusal, Gladiator went on to become one of the most iconic films of all time, earning critical acclaim and 11 Academy Award nominations. It’s a shame that Gibson wasn’t able to take part in such an iconic movie. We can only imagine what could have been if he had accepted the role. Nonetheless, the film’s legacy lives on and Gibson moved on to other opportunities.

Hanks was initially considered the perfect actor to play the part, as the character was written specifically for him. His rejection of the role left the production team in shock. Thankfully, the role was eventually taken up by another accomplished actor, and the movie went on to become a classic.

But eventually, he turned it down due to other projects and reportedly, he was also hesitant to book the role after playing The Grinch. So, if it wasn’t for his hesitation, we would have seen Carrey as Buddy the Elf, instead of one of our favorite actors, Will Ferrell.

As she said, reflecting on the unwanted attention following her role in Game of Thrones, “I did it for the character – I didn’t do it so some guy could check out my tits, for God’s sake.” Clarke’s refusal to be objectified is inspiring, and an important reminder to be respectful of women.

The Bourne films remain some of the most popular action films ever made. Much of it owing to Damon for his part in the movies. Pitt’s departure may have been unfortunate, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

However, Bullock declined the offer and the role went to Keanu Reeves, who went on to give a memorable performance which cemented him as an action star. Fortunately, Bullock’s decision turned out to be for the best, as Reeves’ performance was a key part of The Matrix’s success.

Although she was confident in her performance, she ultimately didn’t book the role. Despite this, Lawrence hadn’t realized the magnitude of the Twilight franchise, remarking to The Guardian in 2012 that she “had no idea Twilight would be such a big deal.” While it was a missed opportunity, it’s clear that Jennifer Lawrence’s career has still gone from strength to strength.

He admitted that he saw a lot of himself in the character and that it turned out to be “so great,” but he knew that no one could have done it better than Bill Murray. Fortunately, Keaton soon found success in other roles, but the missed opportunity of Groundhog Day still lingers in his mind.

She revealed to Newsweek that the reason for her decision was because the role was “a stereotype about Black women and sexuality”. Bassett has always been a strong advocate, and her refusal to accept the role was a testament to that. She continues to be a role model for women everywhere, inspiring them to unapologetically stand up for what they believe in.