Hollywood is a fascinating place where dreams are made and careers are built. But behind the glitz and glamour, there are also stories of missed opportunities and alternate casting decisions that could have drastically changed the landscape of cinema. Here are 13 iconic movies that were almost played by different actors, leaving us to wonder what could have been.
1. Denzel Washington in “Se7en”
Denzel Washington turned down the role of Detective Mills in “Se7en” because he was hesitant about working with a first-time director, David Fincher. The role eventually went to Morgan Freeman, and Washington has since expressed regret over his decision.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio in “Boogie Nights”
Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the lead role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Boogie Nights” but turned it down in favor of “Titanic.” He later admitted that he wished he had taken the role, as “Boogie Nights” is a film he loved.
3. Madonna in “The Matrix”
Madonna turned down the role of Trinity in “The Matrix” because she didn’t understand the script. She later admitted that she regretted her decision, calling it “one of the best movies ever made.”
4. Brad Pitt in “The Matrix”
Brad Pitt was also offered the lead role in “The Matrix” but turned it down because he didn’t think the character was right for him. The role eventually went to Keanu Reeves, and Pitt has since joked that he has turned down several other massive movies.
5. Will Smith in “The Matrix”
Will Smith was offered the lead role in “The Matrix” but turned it down because he didn’t understand the concept of bullet-time. He later admitted that he regretted his decision, saying that he would have ruined the movie.
6. Matt Damon in “Avatar”
Matt Damon turned down the lead role in “Avatar” because he didn’t want to commit to a four-year contract. The role eventually went to Sam Worthington, and Avatar became the highest-grossing film of all time. Damon has since admitted that he regrets his decision, as he missed out on a potential $200 million payday.
7. Christina Applegate in “Legally Blonde”
Christina Applegate was offered the lead role in “Legally Blonde” but turned it down because she thought it was too similar to her character on the sitcom “Married… with Children.” The role eventually went to Reese Witherspoon, who won a Golden Globe for her performance.
8. Michael Keaton in “Groundhog Day”
Michael Keaton was offered the lead role in “Groundhog Day” but turned it down because he didn’t understand the character. The role eventually went to Bill Murray, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.
9. Josh Hartnett in “Batman Begins”
Josh Hartnett was offered the lead role in “Batman Begins” but turned it down because he was afraid of being typecast. The role eventually went to Christian Bale, who won an Oscar for his performance. Hartnett has since admitted that he regrets his decision.
10. Michelle Pfeiffer in “The Silence of the Lambs”
Michelle Pfeiffer was offered the lead role in “The Silence of the Lambs” but turned it down because she was uncomfortable with the film’s violence. The role eventually went to Jodie Foster, who won an Oscar for her performance. Pfeiffer has since admitted that she regrets her decision.
11. Halle Berry in “Speed”
Halle Berry was offered the lead role in “Speed” but turned it down because she didn’t think the bus would leave the parking lot. The role eventually went to Sandra Bullock, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance. Berry has since admitted that she regrets her decision.
12. Bruce Willis in “Ghost”
Bruce Willis was offered the lead role in “Ghost” but turned it down because he didn’t understand the concept of a dead man helping his girlfriend solve his own murder. The role eventually went to Patrick Swayze, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance. Willis has since admitted that he regrets his decision.
13. Eddie Murphy in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”
Eddie Murphy was offered the lead role in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” but turned it down because he didn’t think it was a good idea to mix animation and live-action. The role eventually went to Bob Hoskins, and the film went on to win four Oscars. Murphy has since admitted that he regrets his decision.
