Film Flubs
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Stars Who Turned Down Major Roles
In Hollywood, landing big roles is just what any actor needs to push them to the top of the food-chain. But some stars have turned down more roles than they've taken, and in the process, have missed out on some major box office smashes. CTVNews.ca's Latoya Williams takes a look at 35 blockbuster films whose most memorable roles were turned down by some of Hollywood's most noticeable and not-so-noticeable stars. -
Movie: Footloose
'Footloose,' is a film starring Kevin Bacon as Ren McCormack, a teen who moves to a small town in which, as a result of the efforts of a local minister, dancing and rock music have been banned.
The movie was a huge box office hit, grossing over US$80,035,403 domestically and bolstering Bacon's career in Hollywood. -
Who: Tom Cruise
Cruise was initially offered the part of Ren McCormack, before Kevin Bacon made the role famous, but he opted to turn it down for unknown reasons. -
Movie: Clueless
'Clueless' takes place at a Beverly Hills high school and showcases the life of the school's most popular girl. Alicia Silverstone plays the fashion-obsessed Cher Horowitz and Stacey Dash plays Dionne Davenport, a fellow, pretty, rich girl.
The film became a surprise sleeper hit and spawned its own sitcom. -
Who: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Gellar was set to star as the good-natured but superficial Cher Horowitz, but scheduling conflicts prevented her from accepting the role. -
Movie: Field of Dreams
This film is about Iowa corn farmer, Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, who hears voices and interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields; he does, and the Chicago Black Sox come.
The film was a big hit and was was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. -
Who: Tom Hanks
Hanks was chosen to play the role of Ray Kinsella in 'Field of Dreams' but he decided the role wasn't the right fit and turned it down. -
Movie: The Terminator
'The Terminator' is a science fiction film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, who plays a cyborg assassin sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton.
The film was a commercial success and topped the American box office for two weeks and helped launch the film careers of James Cameron and Schwarzenegger. -
Who: Mel Gibson
Gibson was the first choice to play the Terminator, but when asked to play the lead, he decided to pass on the role. -
Movie: Basic Instinct
'Basic Instinct' is a 1992 erotic thriller starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas and centres on police detective Nick Curran, who is investigating the brutal murder of a wealthy rock star.
The film became one of the most financially successful films of the 1990s. Sharon Stone was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance as Catherine Tramell. -
Who: Julia Roberts
For unknown reasons, Roberts turned down the sultry role, even though she was the first choice to play Catherine Tramell. -
Movie: Batman Begins
'Batman Begins,' starring Christian Bale as Batman is a reboot of the Batman film series, telling the original story of the character Bruce Wayne.
'Batman Begins' was both critically and commercially successful, grossing over US$372 million worldwide and Bale gained some notable attention in Hollywood for his portrayal of Bruce Wayne. -
Who: David Boreanaz
Boreanaz was considered to play the lead role in 'Batman Begins' but rumours surfaced that he declined the offer. Boreanaz has stated that his pass on playing Batman is just a rumour. -
Movie: Showgirls
'Showgirls' is a 1995 American drama film starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley and centres around street-smart drifter, Nomi Malone, who ventures to Las Vegas and climbs the seedy hierarchy from stripper to showgirl.
The film received poor reception at the box office and quickly stalled Berkley's film career, but it has since achieved cult status. -
Who: Drew Barrymore
Hollywood's favorite wild child Drew Barrymore was offered the part of Nomi Malone, but is said to have turned it down because she felt uncomfortable with the amount of nudity displayed in the script. -
Movie: Speed
In 'Speed', an LAPD officer has to ensure the safety of passengers on a bus rigged with explosives.
Keanu Reeves plays SWAT member Jack Tavern and Sandra Bullock plays Annie Porter in this action-packed thriller.
The film has earned $350 million worldwide and spawned a sequel. -
Who: Richard Grieco
The '21 Jump Street' star turned down the lead role in 'Speed' because it is said he thought the script 'sucked.' -
Movie: The Hangover
'The Hangover' is a comedy film starring Bradley Cooper and Heather Graham, centred on three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures.
The film was a critical and commercial success grossing over US$467 million and winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. -
Who: Lindsay Lohan
Despite having her agent reportedly campaign for her to get the role of Jade, Lohan surprisingly passed on the offer because it is said she thought the script 'had no potential.' -
Movie: Star Wars
'Star Wars' is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas and centers around Luke Skywalker, who leaves his home planet, teams up with other rebels, and tries to save Princess Leia from the evil clutches of Darth Vader.
The film was a major success and helped launch the career of Harrison Ford. -
Who: Al Pacino
Hollywood heavyweight Al Pacino was offered the role of Han Solo, but turned down the job. -
Movie: The Silence of the Lambs
'The Silence of the Lambs' is a thriller about an FBI cadet, played by Jodie Foster, who must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
The film grossed over US$272 million and was the third film to win Oscars in all the top five categories, including Best Picture and Best Actress. -
Who: Michelle Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer was initially offered the role of Clarice Starling but decided to pass on the role and she wasn't the only one: Geena Davis, Linda Hamilton, Melanie Griffith and Meg Ryan all turned down the role before Foster settled in as the lead. -
Movie: X-Men
'X-Men' is a film that centres on two mutants who come to a private academy for their kind and must team-up with a group of other superheros to oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.
The film, starring Hugh Jackman, received positive reviews and earned Jackman significant notoriety in Hollywood. -
Who: Russell Crowe
The Oscar winning actor said 'no' when offered the part of Wolverine in the 'X-Men' series, but gave no reason as to why. -
Movie: Pretty Woman
The film is based on a business man who needs an escort for some social events and hires a prostitute he meets, played by Julia Roberts, only to fall in love.
The film was a box-office smash and became one of the biggest moneymakers of 1990. Roberts received a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Vivian Ward. -
Who: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Leigh landed the role of Vivian but decided not to pursue it. Another actress who surprisingly turned down the lead role was teen actress Molly Ringwald. Neither actress has given a solid reason for passing on the role. -
Movie: Boogie Nights
In 'Boogie Nights,' a nightclub dishwasher goes on to become a popular porn star.
The film stars Mark Wahlberg as high school dropout Eddie Adams/Dirk Diggler and Burt Reynolds and porn director Jack Horner.
The film received critical acclaim and hit more than $40 million. -
Who: Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio was offered the part of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights' but passed on the role. It is said that DiCaprio has wondered what would have happened had he chosen to play Dirk Diggler over his breakout role in 'Titanic.' The actor told GQ Magazine that, 'Boogie Nights is a movie I loved and I wish I would've done.' -
Movie: Ghost
'Ghost' is a 1990 romantic drama film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore about a man killed during a botched mugging, whose love for his partner enables him to remain on earth as a ghost.
The film was a huge success and Ghost was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.
