Sliding Doors of Stardom: What Could Have Been
Casting can make or break a movie. The perfect actor in the perfect role can become cinematic legend—but what if things had gone differently? Many of Hollywood’s most iconic characters were nearly played by someone else, and in some cases, entire franchises could have taken radically different turns. Here’s a look at the most jaw-dropping near-misses in casting history.
Tom Selleck – Almost Indiana Jones
Before Harrison Ford donned the fedora, Magnum P.I. star Tom Selleck was offered the role of Indiana Jones. He even did a screen test, but scheduling conflicts with his TV series prevented him from accepting. The rest is box office history.
Al Pacino – Nearly Han Solo
Believe it or not, Al Pacino was offered the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. He turned it down because he didn’t understand the script, opening the door for Harrison Ford to become a sci-fi icon.
Will Smith – Passed On Neo
Will Smith famously turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix (1999) to star in Wild Wild West (1999). He later admitted he didn’t fully grasp the Wachowskis’ vision at the time. Keanu Reeves’ casting changed the landscape of sci-fi forever.
Wild Wild West (3/10) Movie CLIP - Loveless Comes Out (1999) HD, Movieclips
John Travolta – Could Have Been Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning turn as Forrest Gump (1994) might not have happened if John Travolta had accepted the part. Travolta declined the role and later admitted it was a mistake.
Emily Blunt – The Original Black Widow
Emily Blunt was initially cast as Natasha Romanoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict with Gulliver’s Travels (2010). Scarlett Johansson ultimately stepped into the role and made it her own.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images
Eric Stoltz – The First Marty McFly
Back to the Future originally cast Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly. After weeks of filming, producers felt he wasn’t quite right for the part. Michael J. Fox was brought in—and the rest is time-travel history.
Universal, Back to the Future (1985)
Dougray Scott – Almost Wolverine
Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine in X-Men (2000), but delays with Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) forced him to drop out. Hugh Jackman took over the role, launching his Hollywood career and a 17-year run as Logan.
Ian Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gwyneth Paltrow – Nearly Rose In Titanic
Before Kate Winslet claimed the role of Rose in Titanic (1995), Gwyneth Paltrow was a frontrunner. Rumor has it she turned it down, which she’s been coy about ever since.
Sean Connery – Turned Down Gandalf
Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings with a massive backend deal. He reportedly didn’t understand the script and passed. Ian McKellen stepped in, and Connery missed out on nearly half a billion dollars.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Nicolas Cage – Superman Lives
In the late '90s, Tim Burton was developing Superman Lives with Nicolas Cage as Clark Kent. The film was scrapped, but test footage of Cage in the suit still circulates—and fans still debate what could have been.
Superman Lives (2025) | Nicolas Cage - Concept Movie Trailer, Zly
Michelle Pfeiffer – Almost Clarice Starling
Before Jodie Foster won an Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs, Michelle Pfeiffer was offered the role of Clarice. She declined, reportedly uncomfortable with the film’s dark themes.
Mondadori Portfolio, Getty Images
Matt Damon – Declined Avatar
James Cameron offered Matt Damon the lead in Avatar (2009), including a 10% stake in the film’s profits. Damon turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. The role went to Sam Worthington, and Damon later joked it was the worst decision of his career.
Molly Ringwald – Could Have Been Vivian in Pretty Woman
Molly Ringwald was reportedly offered the role of Vivian in Pretty Woman (1990) but declined, feeling uncomfortable with the original, much darker script. Julia Roberts got the part—and an Oscar nomination.
Henry Cavill – Almost James Bond
Before Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale (2006), Henry Cavill was one of the final contenders for the role of 007. At the time, producers felt he was too young. Years later, Cavill remains a fan-favorite for the next Bond.
ryanmorrisonjsy, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Jim Carrey – The Original Jack Sparrow?
Jim Carrey was one of the early choices to play Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean (2003). Due to scheduling conflicts with Bruce Almighty, he passed. Johnny Depp’s unique portrayal changed pirate movies forever.
Spyglass Entertainment, Bruce Almighty (2003)
Jennifer Lawrence – Nearly Bella Swan
Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Bella in Twilight (2008) but didn’t get the part. Kristen Stewart landed it, while Lawrence went on to star in The Hunger Games, creating her own teen phenomenon.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Declined Anakin Skywalker
George Lucas approached Leonardo DiCaprio to play Anakin Skywalker in Attack of the Clones (2002), but DiCaprio declined, saying he didn’t feel ready for such a role at the time. Hayden Christensen was cast instead.
Christopher William Adach, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Angela Bassett – Turned Down Storm
Before Halle Berry was cast as Storm in X-Men (2000), Angela Bassett was considered the top choice. She turned it down, and Berry went on to become one of the first Black female superheroes on the big screen.
Kristina Bumphrey, Getty Images
Tom Cruise – Almost Iron Man
Before Robert Downey Jr. became synonymous with Tony Stark, Tom Cruise was attached to star and produce Iron Man (2008). He eventually exited the project, paving the way for RDJ’s comeback and the MCU’s launch.
Frankie Fouganthin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Christina Applegate – Passed on Elle Woods
Christina Applegate was offered the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2001) but declined, worried it was too similar to her Married… with Children character. Reese Witherspoon’s performance became iconic.
Jack Nicholson – Almost The Godfather
Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972), believing the part should go to an Italian actor. Al Pacino’s casting solidified his career—and helped make film history.
Denzel Washington – Declined Brad Pitt's Role in Se7en
Denzel Washington turned down the role of Detective Mills in Se7en (1995), which eventually went to Brad Pitt. Washington later said he found the script too dark at the time, but came to regret the decision.
Burt Reynolds – Could Have Been Han Solo, Too
Burt Reynolds was another major actor who passed on the role of Han Solo. He later admitted he regretted it—and not just because of the success of Star Wars (1977), but because he admired Harrison Ford’s performance.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
Reese Witherspoon – Nearly Clueless
Reese Witherspoon was considered for the role of Cher in Clueless (1995) but was ultimately passed over in favor of Alicia Silverstone, who perfectly embodied the fashion-forward Valley girl.
Hugh Grant – Turned Down Gilderoy Lockhart
Hugh Grant was originally cast as the egotistical Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) but had to drop out due to other commitments. Kenneth Branagh took over the role to great effect.
Viggo Mortensen – Cast Last Minute In LOTR
Stuart Townsend was originally cast as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings (2001), but was replaced just before filming began. Viggo Mortensen stepped in at the last moment, creating one of the most beloved characters in fantasy cinema.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), New Line Cinema
Anne Hathaway – Almost Tiffany In Silver Linings Playbook
Anne Hathaway was originally set to play Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook (2012), but scheduling conflicts led to Jennifer Lawrence’s casting—and her first Oscar win.
Emily Watson – Could Have Been Amélie
Emily Watson was director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s first choice for Amélie (2001), but she didn’t speak fluent French. The role went to Audrey Tautou, launching her into international stardom.
Caroline Bonarde Ucci at https://www.flickr.com/photos/caroline_bonarde/, Wikimedia Commons
A World of "What Ifs"
These casting close-calls reveal just how different Hollywood history might have been. While some actors regret the roles they passed on, others found their signature characters only after others declined. In the end, these moments remind us that great roles find the right performers—and sometimes, the stars really do align.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
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