A movie is only as good as its characters. And for some lucky actors, their acting was so brilliant that they became synonymous with their iconic characters. That’s the beauty of great casting. Nobody can play Indiana Jones like Harrison Fordand no one can but Robert Downey Jr. play iron Man.
And yet, who would have thought there were a few iconic pop culture images that could have gone the other way. In fact, other actors were originally offered for some of the legendary roles; but ironically they were either replaced or simply decided to forgo the opportunity.
1 Charlize Theron as Roxie Hart - Chicago (2001)
Where Rene Zellweger received high praise and several accolades for her performance as an aspiring vaudeville character, Charlize Theron was actually an actor who was attached to the role of Roxie Hart for a long time.
talking toHoward SternTheron said that the original director Chicago initially abandoned her; but unfortunately, when he was fired, the new director… Rob Marshall - “didn’t want to make a movie with [her]So she was kicked out. Theron explained that she understands the choice she made, but she can’t help but “fantasize” what it would be like if she starred in her favorite film musical.
2 Sir Ian McKellen as Dumbledore on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
With a sad death Richard Harris, Harry Potter the franchise lost their professor Dumbledore much sooner than they expected. Needing to find someone for the role, the producers offered the role Sir Ian McKellenan actor who is no stranger to playing powerful wizards in movies.
But it wasn’t easy for McKellen, as Harris was an outspoken critic of his acting skills and even went so far as to call McKellen “deadpan”. IN difficult conversation McKellen explained in an interview that he “couldn’t take on the role of an actor who [he’d] famous disapproved [him]”It just didn’t feel right. After all, Michael Gambon gloriously played Dumbledore in five more films.
3 Michelle Pfeiffer as Clarice Starling on The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Nowadays, no one can imagine anyone else - except Jodie Foster - look into the eyes of an evil cannibal. But for Jonathan Demmedirector of the film, he was initially unconvinced of Foster’s suitability, given that he was unimpressed by her Oscar-winning performance in Accused.
In fact, Demme’s first choice for the role of Clarice Starling was Michelle Pfeifferwho did he work with Married to the mafia. Unfortunately for Demme, Pfeiffer turned down the role rather quickly. In an interview, Pfeiffer explained that she was “uncomfortable” as “evil won out in the end” and ultimately “didn’t want to bring it to light”. In the end, Demme agreed with the producers’ wishes and offered the part to Foster. Apparently, he has since admitted how wrong his initial fears were.
4 Matt LeBlanc as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family (2009–2020)
For many fans Ty Burrell was the perfect choice to portray the dad from everyone’s favorite sitcom. And yet, oddly enough, Matt LeBlanc was the first person to be approached to play Phil Dunphy.
WITH Joey - oft-forgotten spin-off Friends- after being canceled a few seasons later, Leblanc was given modern familyXa pilot script, as well as a legitimate casting offer. However, speaking to USA TODAY, he revealed that despite finding it “a really good script,” he felt that he was “not the right guy” for it and that “he would be doing the project unfairly.” Luckily, he didn’t, or fans wouldn’t have known about Burrell’s iconic performance.
5 Rachel McAdams as Andy Sachs on The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
During the appearance on RuPaul’s drag racing, Ann Hataway admitted how she earned her famous role in The Devil Wears Prada was no easy feat, and that she was the “ninth choice” for the role of Andy.
Director, David Frankel confirmed this in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, where he even revealed that they were actually “offering [the role] To Rachel McAdams three times”. Given that McAdams was already an established dramatic actor, “the studio was determined” to cast her, whereas “she was determined not to”. Thankfully, everything fell into place and fans were blown away by Hathaway’s performance, along with her stunning outfits.
6 Nicolas Cage as Aragorn on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Choosing an heir to the throne of Gondor was a very difficult task for Peter Jackson. Before Viggo Mortensen famously starred in a much-loved film trilogy, there were a number of actors who were offered the role of Aragorn. Where was Russell Crowe, Daniel Day Lewis And Stuart Townsend - who actually got the part until he was quickly recast when filming began - fans may be puzzled by the fact that Nicolas Cage also offered to play Aragorn.
In an interview with Newsweek, Cage explained that “in [his] life at that time”, so “be[ing] away from home for three years” seemed like the wrong thing to do. But despite the loss of this opportunity, Cage “[doesn’t] really sorry” because now he “gets the opportunity to enjoy the films as a spectator”.
7 Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Despite her unfortunate end to the series, Daenerys Targaryen has gone on to become one of the most famous fantasy characters of all time. Where she was brilliantly brought to life emilia clarke, actually there was a version Game of Thrones in which someone else played the Mother of Dragons.
Tamzin Merchant actually got a part in the original pilot which was filmed in 2009. Unfortunately, it was ultimately canceled and went through many changes, one of which included re-casting Daenerys. Finally speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the matter, Merchant expressed gratitude for the experience as it taught her the importance of trusting her own instincts. She revealed that even before the episode was eliminated, she “tried to quit” the show but was “dissuaded”, leaving her feeling “naked and scared” during filming.
8 Liam Hemsworth as Thor - Thor (2011)
Chris Hemsworth played the God of Thunder in all four phases of the MCU. And yet, what makes it funny is the fact that his little brother was actually closer to getting a job than he was.
In his WIRED Autocomplete Interview interview, Hemsworth revealed that he never received a call back during his first audition for the role. Thor; however, his brother Liam Hemsworth - did, and actually got to the “last five people.” Unfortunately for the younger Hemsworth, the studio deemed him “a little young” for the role, paving the way for the older Hemsworth to re-audition with a “different attitude” and choose the role for himself. A true portrayal of siblings’ competitiveness.
9 Sandra Bullock as Neo - The Matrix (1999)
Before Keanu Reeves changed the game of the science fiction genre with his brilliant portrayal of Neo in Matrix, some may be shocked to learn that he was not the first choice. In fact, several other A-Listers were approached but ultimately turned down the role. Most Polarizing Proposal - Reeves Speed co-star, Sandra Bullock.
According to an interview with the film’s producer, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, The creatives were so desperate to make the film that they went to Bullock and said “they’ll turn Neo into a girl” if there was even a chance she’d be interested. Unfortunately, “it wasn’t for her at the time.” Since then, Bullock has officially stated that Matrix was a movie [she] wish [she] did”.
10 Christopher Plummer as Gandalf on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
As with Aragorn, the role of Gandalf was offered to several prolific actors until they found the perfect one. One legendary actor who turned down a role was actually a late and great one. Christopher Plummer.
talking to Conan O’Brienhe confessed how much he “loved Lord of the Ringsgrowing up” and that “[Gandalf] was an amazing part”; however, he struggled with his three-year filming commitment in New Zealand and even joked that “there were other countries”. [he’d] would like to visit before [he] Luckily, Plummer praised McKellen’s acting and the overall warmth he brought to the character.
Source: Collider
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