17 Legendary Characters That Could Have Been Portrayed by Completely Different Movie Stars

Sometimes, actors don’t get the parts they try out for. And even if famous directors ask them, they might say no. It’s hard to figure out why they do that. But when these actors mention they almost got some big roles, fans start imagining how those movies could’ve been.

Cillian Murphy almost became Batman in Nolan’s The Dark Knight

• Who got the part: Christian Bale

During a late-night show, Cillian Murphy shared that he tried out for the role of Batman and felt he did well. However, it was evident that Christian Bale would be chosen for the part. Nevertheless, director Christopher Nolan recognized Murphy’s talent and instead offered him the role of Scarecrow, a prominent villain in the trilogy.

Nicole Kidman wanted to be in Notting Hill with Hugh Grant

• Who got the part: Julia Roberts

Nicole Kidman said that she’d dreamed of getting the main part in the romantic comedy Notting Hill and working with Hugh Grant. But, according to the actress, she was not famous or talented enough for that film. In the end, Julia Roberts got the role.

Ashley Greene auditioned for the part of Bella in Twilight

• Who got the part: Kristen Stewart

In her MTV interview, the actress said, “I originally auditioned for Bella, and so I read the first book and kind of fell in love with it. I went in and auditioned and actually, they called me back in and said, ‘No, you’re not right for Bella,’ so I was bummed, and then they brought me back for Alice.”

Many people thought Amanda Seyfried would portray Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby

• Who got the part: Carey Mulligan

Several actresses were considered for the role in “The Great Gatsby,” including Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams, and Keira Knightley. During the film’s production, numerous rumors were suggesting that Amanda Seyfried might land the lead role. However, in the end, the part was ultimately given to Carey Mulligan.

Mary Streep dreamed of portraying Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams but it didn’t happen

• Who got the part: Jessica Lang

Even as a 21-time Oscar nominee, Meryl Streep thinks that there are roles that she could have gotten, but didn’t. She really wanted to get the main part in Karel Reisz’s Sweet Dreams about country singer Patsy Cline. The actress shared, “Karel was a friend of mine who I adored, and he was making a film about Patsy Cline, who is a singer I adored.”

But the director decided that a different actress, Jessica Lang, would look better in this role. This decision didn’t influence the friendship between Streep and Reisz.

Kate Winslet turned down a part in Shakespeare in Love and Paltrow got an Oscar for the role

• Who got the part: Gwyneth Paltrow

Following the success of Titanic, Kate Winslet received numerous offers. She was initially considered for the role of Viola in “Shakespeare in Love.” However, Winslet declined the offer as she was prioritizing independent films at that time. Consequently, Gwyneth Paltrow secured the role and went on to win an Oscar for her performance.

Paul Rudd turned down the role of Phil Wenneck in The Hangover

• Who got the part: Bradley Cooper

Before Cooper, Helms, and Galifianakis portrayed friends that did all sorts of crazy stuff in Las Vegas, Todd Phillips considered other actors for their roles. For example, school teacher Phil could have been portrayed by Paul Rudd, but he turned it down, so Bradley Cooper got it.

Johnny Depp couldn’t appear in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off because of his tight schedule

• Who got the part: Matthew Broderick

Even after many years, Matthew Broderick remains widely recognized for his role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The situation could have been quite different if Johnny Depp, who was initially offered the role, hadn’t been so busy at the time. However, Broderick ended up taking the part, and Depp praised his colleague, acknowledging that he did an excellent job.

Scarlett Johansson auditioned for the role of Fantine in the Les Misérables

• Who got the part: Anne Hathaway

“Black Widow” Scarlett Johansson wanted to secure the role of Fantine in the film adaptation of the musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel. She attended auditions but fell ill with laryngitis, which ruled her out as a contender for the role.

Chadwick Boseman auditioned for the part of Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy but became Black Panther instead

• Who got the part: Dave Bautista

A law of life says that when one door closes, another one opens, and this is what happened to Chadwick Boseman. After he didn’t get the role of Drax the Destroyer, Marvel Studios casting director Sarah Finn said she would keep him in mind when it was time to cast an actor for the main role in Black Panther.

Leonardo DiCaprio chose What’s Eating Gilbert Grape over Hocus Pocus

• Who got the part: Omri Katz

In terms of his career, young Leonardo DiCaprio made a strategic decision when he opted for Lasse Hallström’s drama. However, many fans would have enjoyed seeing him in the beloved comedy fantasy “Hocus Pocus.” Ultimately, the role went to Omri Katz, who hasn’t been involved in any new projects since the early 2000s.

Reba McEntire had to turn down the role of the unsinkable Molly Brown in Titanic

• Who got the part: Kathy Bates

American country singer Reba McEntire was supposed to debut on the big screen in the role of the unsinkable Molly Brown in James Cameron’s Titanic. But she had to turn the part down due to her schedule. So, Oscar winner Kathy Bates got the role.

Angelina Jolie never took on the role of an astronaut-explorer in the Gravity

• Who got the part: Sandra Bullock

Originally, it was Angelina Jolie who was supposed to play the lead role in Alfonso Cuarón’s film “Gravity.” However, the actress turned down the role, and Sandra Bullock ultimately took on the role, earning an Oscar nomination for her performance.

Uma Thurman declined the offer to play Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings

• Who got the part: Miranda Otto

During one of the evening talk shows, Uma Thurman, a star of Tarantino films, revealed that she was offered the role of Éowyn in the film adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings,” but she declined. The actress stated that it was one of the toughest decisions she has ever made.

Kim Basinger was offered the part of Catherine in Basic Instinct

• Who got the part: Sharon Stone

Most people remember the film Basic Instinct thanks to the iconic interrogation scene. But it might not have happened if Kim Basinger had accepted the offer to be in the film. Michael Douglas recommended her for the role, but she turned it down.

Brad Pitt turned down a role in Almost Famous due to creative differences

• Who got the part: Billy Crudup

According to the writer and director of the Oscar-winning Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe, the role of rock star Russell Hammond was originally meant for Brad Pitt. The actor was interested in the role and even took part in several rehearsals, but had to leave the project due to creative differences. So, Billy Crudup got the role.

Reese Witherspoon turned down the part of Sidney Prescott in Scream

• Who got the part: Neve Campbell

Nobody could have known that Wesley Craven’s Scream about Sidney Prescott would become iconic. Maybe, if Reese Witherspoon had known this in advance, she wouldn’t have turned down the main part. Neve Campbell woke up famous after the movie was released.

We enjoy learning more about the behind-the-scenes of our favorite movies. For instance, how costumes were created or what situations occurred on the film sets. This allows us to get a little closer to the world of cinema and form an understanding of how everything is arranged on the other side of the screen.