Did you know that Will Smith could have played Neo in The Matrix, Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, and Adrien Brody was invited to play one of the four hobbits in the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, but he didn’t want to come to the casting because he didn’t get the idea of the book at all.
In any case, the history of movies could’ve gone completely differently if these star actors had accepted their invitations—but it’s far from certain that they would have gotten as into their roles as Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, or, for example, Elijah Wood. And believe me, there are many of these examples—like the ones found in this popular online thread.
More info: Reddit
#1
Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean. You know you’ve nailed a role when most of the world knows you as your character’s name, not your real name.
Image source: tizz66, Universal Pictures
#2
Leonard Nimoy as Spock.
Zachary Quinto and Ethan Peck are fine in their own rights, but Mr. Nimoy’s performance is what made Spock a cultural icon.
Image source: Silvaria928, Paramount Global
#3
Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter!
Image source: Honey_I_am_amazing, Michael White Productions
#4
SNAPE.
Image source: FNc2nsZQLtOX24S4, Warner Bros.
#5
Johnny Depp at Jack Sparrow.
Image source: sherlock_jr, Walt Disney Pictures
#6
Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall.
Image source: Phillimac16, Warner Bros.
#7
Ian McKellen – Gandalf.
Image source: Jay-Dee-British, New Line Cinema
#8
Gene Wilder as Wonka.
Image source: Karmacoma77, Paramount Pictures
#9
Viggo as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings.
Image source: Nengenkai
#10
Hugh Laurie as Dr. House.
#11
Christopher Lloyd nailed it as Doc Brown in the Back to the Future movies.
Image source: Itisd, Universal Pictures
#12
Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator!
Image source: proclubs24, TriStar Pictures
#13
Let’s just say a Misery remake would be utterly pointless.
Image source: NeitherSparky, Columbia Pictures
#14
Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump.
Image source: punk0mi, Paramount Pictures
#15
RDJ as Iron man/Tony Stark.
Image source: Brush_bandicoot, Paramount Pictures
#16
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, to the extent that my ex doesn’t even know her real name. Anytime he sees Julie in a movie, he calls her Mary Poppins (writing that does not do justice to hearing this British character’s name in a Salvadoran accent).
(honorable mention: also as Maria Von Trapp, much nicer than the real MVT).
Image source: Tejanisima
#17
Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Image source: kingoflint282
#18
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly.
Image source: Brookes_Boba, HBO
#19
Christoff Waltz as Hans Landa.
Image source: Nicetoyourface87, Universal Pictures
#20
Ed O’Neill as Al Bundy.
Image source: letitbleed45
#21
Hugh Jackman/Wolverine.
Image source: Albert_Oha
#22
Obligatory Heath Ledger as The Joker response
Him copying Tom Waits was a stroke of genius.
Image source: InvadeTheUSA, HBO
#23
Only Mike Meyers could make Austin Powers work.
Image source: thatlookslikemydog, Warner Bros. Pictures
#24
Robin Williams Mrs Doubtfire.
Image source: Weary_Rock1
#25
Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad.
Image source: No-Wear-3028, Sony Pictures Television
#26
Jack Gleeson as Joffrey in Game of Thrones. Never wanted to punch a character so bad….
#27
Jeff Bridges as The Dude.
Image source: thai-stik-admin, Universal Pictures
#28
Macauley Culkin as Kevin McCallister.
Image source: TheThreeRocketeers, 20th Century Studios
#29
Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers. So good he’s ended up voicing Shaggy in lots of further adaptations of Scooby Doo.
Image source: _disgustingly, Warner Bros. Animation
#30
James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano.
#31
JK Simmons as JJ Jameson.
Image source: AContrarianDick, Columbia Pictures
#32
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister dude owned every scene I could see him as the only one unimpressed by the Night King.
Image source: poop_truck1226, HBO
#33
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso
Jack Nicholson – Jack Torrance (The Shining).
Image source: bevymartbc, Warner Bros. Television
#34
Steve Carell as Michael Scott.
Image source: melissapurtle, NBC
#35
Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday.
Image source: EuniceFear
#36
Bryan Cranston as Walter White according to Vince Gilligan
I’d say you couldn’t replace Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman either.
Image source: learn2cook, Sony Pictures Television
#37
Jon Hamm as Don Draper.
Image source: ilovemouserat
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