10 Celebrities Who Almost Weren't Cast as Your Favorite Characters
Being cast in a blockbuster or series fan favorite is a huge boost to a celebrity's resume, making it crucial for actors and actresses to star in the right productions. If an artist is cast in a movie or show that hits the charts, he or she will have no problem finding new ventures in the future! Unfortunately, many factors, such as failed auditions or hesitations, can prevent someone from auditioning for a role.
These barriers have nearly robbed us of some of our favorite movie and TV show characters, and we're thankful that fate intervened and brought us all the iconic roles that exist in media. So don't change the channel as we take a look at 10 celebrities who almost weren't cast in your favorite movie roles!
Related: 10 actors who turned down movie roles and regretted it
10 Al Pacino as Michael Corleone
Visualization of the iconic film The godfather is almost impossible without Al Pacino playing Michael Corleone. However, a few close calls almost robbed viewers of Pacino's portrayal. When Pacino first auditioned The godfather, he kept messing up his lines. Furthermore, Pacino was not well received by the producer, Robert Evans, who was wary of Pacino's height of 5'6″ (1.7 m).
Unfortunately, the complications didn't stop there. As production progressed, Coppola did not like Pacino “playing the part as too meek and mild.” Fortunately, Marlon Brando saw past Pacino's acting approach and advocated that Coppola keep Pacino on. And as fate would have it, Pacino transformed his character 'from a naive young man into a vicious mafia boss. From then on, the film became a successful mafia movie sensation that is still quoted today![1]
9 Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
Without Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine, we might have seen a very different trajectory for the film X Men franchise (and besides, we would have missed those glorious sideburns)! However, Jackman came pretty close when he auditioned for the role. A CBR article covers X Men screenwriter David Hayter's experience in casting for the role of Wolverine, saying: “The first time Hugh read Jackman, he didn't get cast. He was great, but he was the nicest guy in the world, and he was very tall and super handsome, so we didn't think he was Wolverine.
Instead of Hugh Jackman, actor Dougray Scott was initially cast as Wolverine. However, this didn't happen due to an unfortunate motorcycle accident, which caused Scott to lose 150 pounds. This allowed Hugh Jackman to solidify his role as Wolverine and become a fan favorite who kept returning throughout X Men series in major roles or cameos![2]
8 Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman
The TV Show Break bad is one of the best-known television dramas in the United States, and would not have achieved its fame without its two main stars, Bryan Cranston as Walter White and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. It's crazy to think that Aaron Paul was on the verge of not being offered the role! In an interview with Medium, Paul stated, “Even after the test, no one wanted me,” but thankfully, series creator Vince Gilligan put his foot down and said he wouldn't do the show unless Aaron Paul was cast as Jesse Pinkman.
As Aaron Paul put it, Vince Gilligan “gave me a chance when, honestly, no one else would.” And we're lucky Vince Gilligan had this intuition, because audiences can't imagine anyone else like Jesse Pinkman. Plus, we couldn't enjoy the random, hilarious sightings of Cranston and Paul at Costcos handing out tequila samples nationwide![3]
7 Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
The hunger Games franchise took America by storm when the first film was released in 2012, making indie films' Jennifer Lawrence a star. Her red carpet interviews and charming awkwardness earned Lawrence a loyal fan base and widespread recognition, but would you believe she almost turned down the role?
In an interview with The Hollywood ReporterJennifer Lawrence explains that she “almost didn't agree with it Hunger Games because she was concerned about the massive fandom that might come with it. The actress was more interested in starring in indie films and instead had a more relaxed celebrity status. However, when she changed her mind and accepted the role, Lawrence didn't lose her down-to-earth attitude after her stunning performance in the franchise![4]
9 Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
When people invent Harry Potter, it's hard not to immediately imagine Daniel Radcliffe. However, Radcliffe's parents almost stopped the franchise's magic due to the sheer number of films in the franchise. Because he was only eleven years old, Radcliffe's parents were concerned about how the workload would affect his youth. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Radcliffe told the interviewer: 'At the time the deal was to sign on for – I think – six films, all of which would be made in LA, and my mum and dad simply said, 'That's too much disruption to his life. That will not happen.'”
Fortunately, Radcliffe's parents changed their minds after receiving a revised deal. So Radcliffe was given permission to audition and brought That of Harry Potter iconic role in theaters around the world, with the franchise becoming a global hit sensation![5]
5 Chris Hemsworth as Thor
With his muscular, rugged attitude, most assume Chris Hemsworth was a shoo-in for the role of Thor. Surprisingly, Chris was almost taken over by his brother, Liam Hemsworth. In a W magazine During the interview, Chris reminisced about his audition process for the Marvel franchise, recalling that Chris didn't hear anything after his audition other than his brother being called back to audition.
It's no surprise that Chris became discouraged when he heard his younger sibling was called back for an audition amid radio silence. But months later, after learning that none of the people in the mix had been cast as Thor, Hemsworth's manager contacted the Thor production team, and everything was moving again!
Hemsworth described his second audition as very different from his first audition, saying, “I came in with a little bit of, I guess, motivation and maybe frustration that my little brother had gotten further than me.” It's a little family and sibling rivalry that came to mind. After that audition, Hemsworth confirmed he was perfect for the role in Thor, and the film moved quickly from there. From Hemsworth's experience, sibling rivalry can go a long way, even for A-list celebrities![6]
4 Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson
Titanic, the compelling film based on real-life events, launched Leonardo DiCaprio to ultra-stardom. However, DiCaprio's attitude during his audition almost ended his chances of playing Jack Dawson. a Variety interview with Titanics filmmaker James Cameron describes the young actor's audition process. In his first screen test, Cameron recalls that DiCaprio was under the impression he was only there to meet his co-star, Kate Winslet.
Cameron told the story from his perspective: “He said, 'You mean I'm reading?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'Oh, I don't read.' I shook his hand and said, 'Thanks for coming by.'” Despite DiCaprio's charm and acting talent, Cameron was willing to ignore DiCaprio for the role, telling him, “So you're either going to read, or you're not going to read. getting the role.” As reluctant as DiCaprio was, the actor agreed to read. James Cameron described the process this way: “So he comes in and it's like every ounce of his entire being is so negative – until I said, 'Action.' Then he turned into Jack… Dark clouds had opened and a ray of sunshine came down and illuminated Jack. I'm like, 'Okay. He is the man. ''
James Cameron's hunch turned out to be correct. Yet Leonardo DiCaprio is in danger of missing out on the leading role Titanic proves that no matter how good an actor someone is, they can't rely on their previous credits to get them a role![7]
3 Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp
Actress Julie Andrews has amassed a wide range of credits throughout her successful career, but one of her most titular roles was as Maria von Trapp in The sound of music. However, in her autobiography titled Working from Home: A Memoir of My Hollywood YearsAndrews revealed that she almost abstained from starring in the iconic role.
For The sound of musicAndrews had experience playing a nanny role, in which she had played the lead role Mary Poppins shortly before. That's why she was concerned that she would be branded a nanny if she took it The sound of music also, saying, “It would be my second role as a nanny, almost after the first.” However, after encouragement from her friends and colleagues, Andrews accepted the role of Maria and blessed countless viewers with Maria's sunny disposition and beautiful voice.[8]
2 Chris Evans as Captain America
Would you believe it if we said that Chris Evans' mother is the reason audiences can enjoy Chris Evans as Captain America? Well, believe it! Before starring in the Marvel franchise, Chris Evans enjoyed his time starring in smaller, irreverent films. Despite his smaller on-screen roles, Chris Evans was offered the role of Captain America – no audition necessary.
In a Esquire During an interview, Lisa Evans, Chris Evans' mother, revealed that Chris initially turned down Marvel's mouthwatering offer for fear of becoming too famous. Esquire describes her experience, saying, “His greatest fear was losing his anonymity,” Lisa recalls. “He said, 'I now have a career where I can do work that I really enjoy.' I can walk my dog. Nobody bothers me. Nobody wants to talk to me. I can go wherever I want. And the idea of losing that is terrifying to me. ''
Fortunately, Evans' mother convinced him to take the role, telling him that the role would only further and not hurt his acting career. So we have to thank Chris Evans' mom for giving us the opportunity to see Chris Evans in his iconic role of Captain America![9]
1 Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods
Harvard lawyer Elle Woods' infamous role in Legally blonde, with her iconic brains and beauty, has Reese Witherspoon to thank. However, before Legally blondeWitherspoon starred Electiona dark comedy in which she played a compulsive overachiever, and unfortunately, she played her role too well.
According to a Entertainment tonight interview, Reese Witherspoon said: “'They thought I was a shrew,' she says of studio execs. 'My manager finally called and said, 'You need to go to the head of the studio because he won't approve of you. He thinks you are really your character Election and that you are repulsive. ''
Fortunately, Witherspoon trusted her acting skills and fully performed in her audition as Elle Woods, convincing the executives that she looked exactly like the character. Witherspoon reflected, “I remember a room full of men asking me questions about being a student and being in a fraternity…even though I had dropped out of college four years earlier and had never been to a dorm.” That's why Witherspoon was cast in the role and blessed us with the iconic quote, “What, like it's hard?”[10]