25 Times Iconic Movie And TV Roles Almost Went To Someone Else
Harry Styles as Elvis? It would have been a canon event.
Imagine if your favourite KGB spy who sacrificed her life for Earth in Avengers: Endgame was played by the same actress who played Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada. Or instead of her role in Cats as Bombalurina, everyone's favourite pop icon had instead been cast in Les Misérables alongside Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried. Or even consider if Thor was played by the other famous Australian brother. Yes, we're talking about Emily Blunt, Taylor Swift and Liam Hemsworth.
Considering how iconic these characters became thanks to the actors who portrayed them, it is simply plain wrong to imagine what might have happened if other actors has gotten the roles. From The Notebook to Stranger Things, here are 25 times when iconic characters were almost played by celebrities you did not expect. (*sighs in relief*)
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Everyone remembers Matt Damon's iconic lead role in the Bourne Identity series. But did you know that Brad Pitt had been originally casted for the film, before turning it down last minute for his role in Spy Game?
Game of Thrones leading lady Emilia Clarke turned down an opportunity to play Anastasia Steele because she was over the whole getting naked on camera thing after eight seasons of it.
As Baz Luhrmann explained on Australia's Fitzy & Wippa radio show, “Harry is a really talented actor, I would work on something with him… but the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles. He’s already an icon.”
If the introduction to this article didn't give you a hint already, Emily Blunt - who has played diverse roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Oppenheimer and Mary Poppins Returns - was the original choice for Black Widow in the Marvel Universe. Heartbreakingly, she had to pass on the role due to scheduling conflicts. Maybe the Marvel multiverse could consider her if they revive Black Widow?
Steven Spielberg initially suggested Tom Cruise for the role of Noah in Nicholas Sparks' book-to-film. It's gonna be a hard no from us.
Just no. Chadwick Boseman was meant for bigger things, specifically, Wakanda things.
The Goop CEO would have probably let Jack on the raft.
If director for Mad Max: Fury Road George Miller's decision had been considered, Eminem would have played Max. His role in 8 Mile must have really left an impression.
In an interview with SiriusXM’s Town Hall, Emma Watson explained, “It’s one of these frustrating things where names get attached to projects very early on as a way to kind of build anticipation or excitement for something that’s coming before anything is really actually agreed or set in stone.” Watson ended up playing Belle in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast film instead, which was perfect for her.
Cavill was apparently too young for the role of James Bond at the time. If he wasn't too busy with being The Man of Steel, we would've looked forward to him having the license to kill.
Rachel McAdams was perfect for the role due to her chemistry with Ryan Gosling, because we're sure the 'Princess of Pop' would have played with Noah's heart. Oops!…she did it again.
We hope that when this movie gets a remake, Alwyn gets cast as an older Sam, because the resemblance is simply uncanny.
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Director George Miller shared that “Usually, actors turn up dressed very casually, but boy, Rihanna looked spectacular when she walked in. I’m not sure she was even aware of the content of the movie, so she dressed up as Rihanna, which was the right thing to do.”
The singer almost played our favourite neighbourhood Spider-man, whether you believe it or not.
It was none other than Cavill yet again who was the top choice on Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s wish list to play Edward Cullen, but the actor was dropped this time for being too old for the role. (I think he would have looked better as a werewolf, honestly.)
Apparently, her teeth were painted brown for the audition.
The Hemsworth brothers have always been asked about who would have done better in the other's role across various films, but it's pretty clear to us that Chris was born to be Thor.
And here's the rejection that allowed Keanu Reeves to become a forever iconic figure in Hollywood.
Lady Whistledown could probably have spilled the tea about the Upside Down.
Leonardo DiCaprio was supposedly offered $20 million to play the iconic character of Patrick Bateman, but turned it down after Gloria Steinem's advice that it would not be right to play the violent role after playing Jack in Titanic.
Gosling would probably have sent half the female population to the ER if he had taken the role.
Thank god Kristen Davis was cast as Joey's girlfriend instead!
Dwight, who ended up being played by Rainn Wilson, had the best response to this potential casting choice: “I am better than you have ever been or ever will be.”
Revealing to Allure why she turned down the role, Anne Hathaway explained, "My issue with it was that having not experienced motherhood myself, I didn't know how I was gonna feel on the other side about giving birth. And by the way, I could pop a kid out and think, Oh, well, I really should have done that movie."
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Will Smith reportedly wanted daughter Willow to play this part, but it's safe to she had other plans.