15 Actors Who Almost Played Your Favorite Characters
It’s tough to imagine anyone else in the roles that defined Hollywood’s biggest stars. But casting rarely follows a straight line. Scripts circulate, negotiations fall through, and creative visions shift. Here are 15 moments when a single decision could’ve completely changed who brought your favorite characters to life.
George Clooney Almost Took Ryan Gosling’s Role In The Notebook
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Clooney and Paul Newman were once lined up to play the younger and older versions of Noah Calhoun. The idea sounded promising until Clooney got cold feet. After watching Newman’s early work, Clooney decided he didn’t resemble the Hollywood legend enough to pull it off.
Madonna Turned Down Catwoman In Batman Returns
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Long before Michelle Pfeiffer slipped into the black latex suit, Madonna had the chance to play Selina Kyle. She passed on the role, later calling it one of her biggest regrets during an interview with Jimmy Fallon. While she admired the character, she wasn’t sold on the direction of the film.
Matthew McConaughey Auditioned To Play Jack In Titanic
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He read with Kate Winslet, walked away confident, and thought he had it. McConaughey told The Hollywood Reporter that he had never received the offer and was still wondering if something had been lost in the translation between the casting department and his agent. DiCaprio ultimately claimed the role and superstardom.
Emma Watson Could Have Starred In La La Land
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For a time, Watson was attached to play Mia Dolan opposite Miles Teller in Damien Chazelle’s musical, but the timelines didn’t work out. She was already committed to Beauty and the Beast and couldn’t make the schedules line up. The film went on to sweep awards season, including an Oscar for Stone’s performance.
Reba McEntire Had To Drop Out Of Titanic
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Reba was cast as Molly Brown and ready to board, until filming delays clashed with her tour dates. She told Watch What Happens Live that she couldn’t rearrange the already booked venues and payroll commitments. Kathy Bates ended up playing the famously unsinkable socialite instead.
Justin Timberlake Was On Elton John’s Radar For Rocketman
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Long before Taron Egerton picked up the mic and glasses, Elton John’s team considered Timberlake for the lead. The idea sparked after his performance in the music video for This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore, where he played a younger Elton. Producer David Furnish confirmed they never approached Timberlake directly.
Claire Danes Passed On Titanic After Filming With DiCaprio
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Danes and DiCaprio had just finished Romeo + Juliet when she was offered the chance to reunite in Titanic. She declined, saying she didn’t feel ready for another massive romantic epic. She later told Dax Shepard she had zero regrets about walking away.
Anne Hathaway Was Almost In Silver Linings Playbook
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Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar for her role as Tiffany Maxwell, but Hathaway was the original pick. According to producer Harvey Weinstein, creative differences between Hathaway and director David O. Russell led to her exit. Hathaway went on to win an Oscar anyway that same year.
Chris Hemsworth Nearly Played Duke In G.I. Joe
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Chris Hemsworth auditioned for the role of Duke in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. He didn’t get the part—Channing Tatum did—but he later said missing out turned out to be a blessing. If he had been cast, his schedule might’ve prevented him from joining the Marvel universe as Thor.
Dougray Scott Was Replaced As Wolverine
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Scott was initially cast as Logan in X-Men, but ran into production issues while filming Mission: Impossible II. Between reshoots and a shoulder injury, the timing didn’t work. The studio recast the role by bringing in a then-unknown Hugh Jackman. That one change ended up defining two decades of superhero cinema.
Al Pacino Said No To Han Solo
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George Lucas offered the part to Pacino during casting for Star Wars, but he didn’t understand the script. “It was mine for the taking,” he told The Telegraph, but he passed. Harrison Ford took the role instead and turned it into one of the most recognizable characters in film history.
Nicole Kidman Wanted To Be In Notting Hill
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Years later, while promoting The Undoing with Hugh Grant, Kidman revealed she wanted the role of Anna Scot, the movie star who falls for a London bookshop owner. She wasn’t cast, telling Grant she wasn’t well-known or talented enough at the time.
Hugh Jackman Turned Down James Bond
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After X-Men, Jackman got a call about becoming the next Bond. He told Variety he felt the scripts had gotten too over-the-top and needed to be grounded again. When producers made it clear he wouldn’t have much say in creative direction, he backed off.
Selma Blair Almost Played Joey Potter On Dawson’s Creek
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Series creator Kevin Williamson considered Blair before he saw Katie Holmes’ now-famous audition tape, which she recorded in her parents’ basement. Blair later posted about it with good humor on Instagram, showing support for Holmes and calling the casting perfect.
Johnny Depp Was The Original Choice For Ferris Bueller
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John Hughes wanted Depp to star in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but scheduling conflicts got in the way. Depp said he thought Matthew Broderick did a great job with the part. Still, the idea of Depp lip-syncing to “Twist and Shout” on a parade float will always be a what-if.