This is a funny repost of my December 2008 entry.
Sometimes we can’t imagine another actor or actress in the starring role of our favorite films. Believe it or not, many of the most famous and beloved roles in some of the biggest movies belonged to another actor before they had to drop out or pass on the role. Some of these missed opportunities seem like good ideas, while others will make you cringe.
TOP FIVE FIVE ACTORS WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLES
TOP 5 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
JOHN CUSACK FOR JOHN BENDER
(THE BREAKFAST CLUB)
I think John Cusack is one of the finest actors of his generation and I’m very disappointed that he didn’t get to be part of The Breakfast Club. Of course, he was a mainstay in the teenage angst movies of the 80s, so I’m happy. He was originally the actor chosen to play John Bender. Unfortunately he was unable to fit it into his schedule and Judd Nelson ended up in the role
TOP 4 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
CARY GRANT FOR JAMES BOND
(JAMES BOND)
TOP 3 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
SEAN CONNERY FOR GANDALF
(LORD OF THE RINGS)
Amazingly, Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring Trilogy. His reason for passing on the role was due to the length of time for filming - 18 months. Sir Ian McKellan won the role and everyone couldn’t be happier. Mr. Connery said he had never read Tolkein and when he read the script he referred to the hobbits as bobbits.
TOP 2 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
AL PACINO FOR HAN SOLO
(STAR WARS)
Al Pacino, Nick Nolte and Christopher Walken were all considered for the role of Han Solo. Even harder to imagine, supposedly Burt Reynolds turned down the role. Harrison Ford took the part and the rest is box office history
Sometimes we can’t imagine another actor or actress in the starring role of our favorite films. Believe it or not, many of the most famous and beloved roles in some of the biggest movies belonged to another actor before they had to drop out or pass on the role. Some of these missed opportunities seem like good ideas, while others will make you cringe.
TOP FIVE FIVE ACTORS WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLES
TOP 5 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
JOHN CUSACK FOR JOHN BENDER
(THE BREAKFAST CLUB)
I think John Cusack is one of the finest actors of his generation and I’m very disappointed that he didn’t get to be part of The Breakfast Club. Of course, he was a mainstay in the teenage angst movies of the 80s, so I’m happy. He was originally the actor chosen to play John Bender. Unfortunately he was unable to fit it into his schedule and Judd Nelson ended up in the role
TOP 4 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
CARY GRANT FOR JAMES BOND
(JAMES BOND)
The producers of the James Bond films originally approached Cary Grant about playing the role of Britain’s 007 agent. Cary declined the role because he didn’t want to be tied to a film series. The role went to Sean Connery starting with Dr. No in 1962. Fleming wasn’t entirely happy with the choice. “He’s not exactly what I had in mind,” said Fleming.
TOP 3 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
SEAN CONNERY FOR GANDALF
(LORD OF THE RINGS)
Amazingly, Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring Trilogy. His reason for passing on the role was due to the length of time for filming - 18 months. Sir Ian McKellan won the role and everyone couldn’t be happier. Mr. Connery said he had never read Tolkein and when he read the script he referred to the hobbits as bobbits.
TOP 2 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
AL PACINO FOR HAN SOLO
(STAR WARS)
Al Pacino, Nick Nolte and Christopher Walken were all considered for the role of Han Solo. Even harder to imagine, supposedly Burt Reynolds turned down the role. Harrison Ford took the part and the rest is box office history
TOP 1 ACTOR WHO PASSED ON MOVIE ROLE
WILL SMITH FOR NEO
(THE MATRIX)
Will Smith passed on the role of Neo as did Ewan McGregor. Will Smith said, “You know, The Matrix is a difficult concept to pitch. In the pitch, I just didn’t see it. 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. Whereas Keanu was smart enough to just let it be. Let the movie and the director tell the story, and don’t try and perform every moment.” Will Smith went on to star in I, Robot.
NOW COULD YOU STILL IMAGINE THOSE STARS PLAYING THOSE ROLES?HEHE HAVE A GREAT DAYWILL SMITH FOR NEO
(THE MATRIX)
Will Smith passed on the role of Neo as did Ewan McGregor. Will Smith said, “You know, The Matrix is a difficult concept to pitch. In the pitch, I just didn’t see it. 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. Whereas Keanu was smart enough to just let it be. Let the movie and the director tell the story, and don’t try and perform every moment.” Will Smith went on to star in I, Robot.
