A list of actors and actresses who passed on iconic roles. The most memorable characters of all time were almost played by stars other than the ones who famously brought them to life on screen. These legendary film and television roles include the greatest action heroes, the most notorious villains, and the sexiest stars in Hollywood. This mind-blowing trivia might even surprise the biggest film buffs and Hollywood experts.
What makes a screen role iconic? These characters have withstood the test of time and generations of audiences have fallen in love (or consistently hated) these famous figures every time they watch them onscreen. Once an actor or actress has embodied a certain role, especially in blockbuster franchises and epic films, they become synonymous with that character. It then becomes hard to imagine anyone else playing such cinematic icons such as Indiana Jones, Michael Corleone, and Carrie Bradshaw. The gallery of celebrities below has some of the most surprising and unbelievable Hollywood casting stories and why certain superstars like Will Smith, Julia Roberts, and even Frank Sinatra either passed on or missed out on playing a legendary part.
Make sure to vote on the list of celebs who turned down famous roles and see how other film fans voted. Be sure to check out this votable list of famous actors who were almost James Bond and 15 amazing roles almost played by Nicolas Cage.
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Al Pacino
The role of Han Solo in the iconic film franchise Star Wars was originally offered to Al Pacino, but after he turned it down, Harrison Ford took on one of the greatest movie heroes of all time.
Bruce Willis
America's favorite action hero Bruce Willis was offered the part of Sam Wheat in the romantic drama Ghost, but he turned down the opportunity to co-star with then-wife Demi Moore.
Frank Sinatra
There were several Hollywood icons lined up to play Dirty Harry, but it almost narrowed down to Frank Sinatra. The reason Clint Eastwood ended up taking the role? Sinatra reportedly had a hand problem that prevented him from holding a gun properly.
Jack Nicholson
Initially asked to play Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Jack Nicholson passed because he reportedly felt that an Italian should play an Italian part. Thank goodness Al Pacino was Italian and available.
Johnny Depp
Bueller? Bueller?! Now imagine Johnny Depp faking his way out of class in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Not so much? Well, he turned it down and Matthew Broderick embodied the '80s rebel.
Julia Roberts
America's sweetheart Julia Roberts missed out on a second Oscar for portraying the tough-loving Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, but Sandra Bullock (also America's sweetheart) proved she was just as capable and brought home the golden statue.
Kate Winslet
The Academy Award-winning Shakespeare in Love originally had a British actress to star as Viola de Lesseps, but Kate Winslet passed it on to Gwyneth Paltrow, who won an Oscar for the part.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs seems like a role tailor-made for Oscar winner Jodie Foster (it was), but another A-lister passed on the film because of its violent content: Michelle Pfeiffer.
Sandra Bullock
Hilary Swank earned her second Best Actress Oscar for playing Maggie in Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby, but it was Sandra Bullock who abandoned the role due to production delays.
Will Smith
Will Smith reportedly turned down futuristic hero Neo in The Matrix because he felt the movie was too complicated and felt it wouldn't do well in the box-office. Smith went on to star in the critically panned Wild Wild West and Keanu Reeves starred in all three successful Matrix films.