In competitive Hollywood, actors are at times left with the troublesome decision of which roles to take on. Some of those decisions, however, led to unexpected missed opportunities because of actors refusing to take on movies that later turned into huge hits. It is now little wonder why some of these actors came to regret those decisions for personal or lack of interest because they have significantly altered the course of their careers. From blockbusters to some of the most critically acclaimed masterpieces, these actors passed on roles that have gone on to define and shape the cultural landscape, proving that sometimes the best opportunities arise as plays are not taken.
1) Gwyneth Paltrow - Titanic
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One of the earliest actresses considered for the role of Rose in Titanic was Gwyneth Paltrow, who rejected it because she said that she didn't feel right for the part. Kate Winslet then went on to take the role. Paltrow's rejection of Titanic didn't, however, prevent her from reaping success, for she went on to star in Shakespeare in Love and that role got her an Academy Award. Paltrow admitted later that she could never have imagined the impact Titanic would create.
2) Angelina Jolie - Gravity
Angelina Jolie was initially in talks for the Dr. Ryan Stone role in the intense space thriller Gravity, which earned Sandra Bullock many accolades. The reason, however, is that at the time, she was already busy with other directorial projects and humanitarian work. The role took on an Oscar nomination for Bullock, as both the film's visual spectacle and emotional depth cemented her position as one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
3) Leonardo DiCaprio - American Psycho
Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the lead role in American Psycho, a move that would have shocked everyone by how much it differed from his early, sensitive roles. However, he declined the role citing the disturbing content of the film and excessive violence that made him uncomfortable. The role was handed to Christian Bale, who performed with chilling realism.
4) Matt Damon - The Dark Knight
The role of Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan's much-acclaimed Batman sequel, a very key character in The Dark Knight, was offered to Matt Damon, but he did not take up the offer due to clashing schedules with Burn After Reading and other commitments. Aaron Eckhart played the character and received much praise for it. According to Damon, it was a tough decision, especially considering the film's monumental success.
5) Nicolas Cage - The Lord of the Rings
A memorable case is Nicolas Cage, who refused the role of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, which he later admitted he regretted. At the time, he didn't believe in the future of the movie and didn't think it suited him too well. Viggo Mortensen took his place, and now Aragorn remains one of the trilogy's most remembered and iconic characters.
6) Will Smith - The Matrix
Will Smith was offered the role of Neo in The Matrix but rejected it and famously admitted, "I didn't get it, to be honest." Meanwhile, Smith continued concentrating on other, more salient, 'classic' roles, such as Wild Wild West and thought that Neo was outside his comfort zone. Keanu Reeves eventually ended up filling the role as the portrayal of Neo became legendary, helping establish The Matrix as a science fiction legend. Smith, on the other hand, went on to star in box office successes such as Men in Black and Independence Day.
7) Jonah Hill - The Hangover
Jonah Hill was to play the role of Alan in The Hangover. Instead, Hill passed it down, believing that he didn't have that quirky vibe for this character. Alan, as interpreted by Zach Galifianakis, became the most iconic character in the movie, and The Hangover turned out to be a highly profitable hit at the box office. Jonah Hill later went on record admitting that he regretted not taking up the role, since it would've proven to be the ideal role for his comedic expertise. Despite missing out on The Hangover, Hill's career kicked off with 21 Jump Street and Moneyball.
8) Denzel Washington - Se7en
Denzel Washington was approached with the role of Detective Mills in the dark thriller Se7en, directed by David Fincher. Denzel turned it down, though, because he felt the film's grim subjects were a little too harsh for him. The role was offered to Brad Pitt, whose performance with Morgan Freeman will go down as one of the most memorable duos in cinematic history. Se7en turned out to be a critically and commercially successful film despite Washington's decision not to act in it. He went on to star in other major blockbuster roles such as Crimson Tide and The Hurricane kept him thriving.
9) Anne Hathaway - Silver Linings Playbook
Anne Hathaway was to be cast for the role of Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbox, which was eventually occupied by Jennifer Lawrence, who then obtained an Academy Award. Scheduling conflicts eliminated Hathaway as an option. Although she was disappointed at first, Lawrence required this role for the good reasons of raising herself to be a big-time Hollywood actress. Hathaway earned an Oscar for her performance in Les Misérables, demonstrating how sometimes refusing a certain role can lead to even more rewards.
10) Jack Nicholson - The Godfather
Jack Nicholson was offered the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather but turned it down because it was not exactly what he needed then, or so it was not his area of interest. Such was the choice to refuse this legendary role that it goes down as one of Hollywood's most infamous refusals, and The Godfather turned into one of the greatest films ever made; Pacino's performance is still one of his finest.
11) Viggo Mortensen - X-Men
Another remarkable example is Viggo Mortensen, who gained recognition for his version of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. He was offered the part of Wolverine in X-Men; however, he turned down this opportunity, which later opened up for Hugh Jackman, and it marked one of his most prominent performances in cinema. Since that time, Mortensen has professed to have felt that this role was wrong for him, and, in a large measure, what made the X-Men franchise run was Jackman's interpretation of the Wolverine character.
12) Madonna - Batman Returns
Madonna was first approached for Catwoman in Batman Returns, reportedly due to a clash in schedules with her music career. Michelle Pfeiffer played the character, and that rendition of Catwoman was very familiar as regards the Batman film series. Devoting herself to music would not hold Madonna back. She continued dominating the charts in pop music.
13) Amanda Seyfried - Guardians of the Galaxy
Amanda Seyfried was considered for a role in Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel's extravaganza movie defining a new generation of heroes coming from space. But Seyfried did not accept it, as she thought the character was not something that would attract her. The role was then given to Karen Gillan, who played strong Nebula. While Guardians of the Galaxy spread all around the world, Seyfried was successful with Les Misérables, Ted 2, and Mamma Mia!
14) Robert Redford - Superman
Robert Redford was offered the role of Clark Kent in the 1978 Superman film. He declined the offer because Superman was a far cry from the more realistic roles he sought to embody. Christopher Reeve took over the role, making it iconic. Redford turned down Superman, but he certainly didn't allow that to hurt his career. He went on to become one of the greatest actors and directors in Hollywood and would forever be etched in movie history with films like The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
15) John Travolta - Forrest Gump
John Travolta was handed the lead role of Forrest Gump, which he refused. However, it ended up starring Tom Hanks who gave an Academy Award-winning performance. It does seem curious how Travolta passed on that role, given Forrest Gump's phenomenal box office run, but Travolta's career also boasts hits like Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty, cementing himself in film history. The story of Forrest Gump remains cinema's most prized performance, and it is almost impossible to imagine how different the film would have been with Travolta in the lead.
16) Halle Berry - Speed
Halle Berry was initially offered Sandra Bullock's role in Speed. However, she did manage to opt for The Flintstones. The role instead went to Sandra Bullock, which gave the movie cult status in the nation, with Keanu Reeves. Speed became one of the highest-grossing action films of the year, and Bullock's portrayal of Annie made her a household name overnight.
17) Harrison Ford - Jurassic Park
Harrison Ford reportedly turned the role of Dr. Alan Grant down, citing that the film was too focused on the dinosaurs, which weren't as interesting at the time for him. This made paleontologist Dr Alan Grant fall into the acting lap of the film star who has forever been etched into most minds, Sam Neill. Ford had already proven himself as a significant star due to his work on Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Jurassic Park would indeed become one of the highest-grossing films of all time, but Ford continued to be successful with hits such as these, ensuring a place for himself among Hollywood's greatest leading men.
18) Tom Hanks - Jerry Maguire
Tom Hanks was on offer for the role of Jerry Maguire, the lead in a movie about an agent's experience in his personal life and professional career change. Hanks declined it because the character did not appeal to him as a challenging one. The movie went to Tom Cruise, who bagged an Academy Award nomination for that role. Hanks starred instead as an executive working for FedEx who ends up stranded on a desert island in Cast Away, becoming one of his most memorable films.
19) Hugh Jackman - Casino Royale
The first man approached for James Bond in Casino Royale was Hugh Jackman, but he turned it down because he didn't believe it was his time to play the iconic character. Daniel Craig has since given audiences more mature adaptations of the character. While Bond franchises may take this as a defining performance in Craig's run, spurning Jackman did no such thing to his career.
20) Reese Witherspoon - Scream
Reese Witherspoon was rumored for a role in Wes Craven's influential horror film Scream with Sidney Prescott, but the role didn't do much to fit the kind of image she would have to reestablish for herself at the time. This went to Neve Campbell, who plays the resilient heroine in a defining moment of the genre. Witherspoon's decision did not deter her, as she quickly became an iconic success in Legally Blonde.
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