The casting process for movies can be very time consuming. Sometimes a director will have a potential actor in mind for a role, only to have to come up with several more once he or she passes. This process can go on and on.
Via notstarring.com, the following are famous examples of actors who passed on, or were unable to take, classic movie roles – and in some cases, we’re all the better for it.
Sean Connery as Gandalf
Yup, you read that right. Apparently James-freaking-Bond was approached to play Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but he passed because “he didn’t understand it” and therefore didn’t want to commit to the rather lengthy shoot time of 18 months. Perhaps Peter Jackson should have yelled at him, “You shall not pass!!”
Mel Gibson as Batman
Before Mel Gibson was an anti-Semitic desperately trying to re-enter the acting world, he was one of the power players of the 80s. It should therefore come as no surprise that when Batman (1989) was being cast, he was the number one choice to play the title role. Fortunately though, he had to pass because he was already obligated to star in Lethal Weapon 2 and couldn’t make both of them work. This opened the door for the fantastic Michael Keaton to star as the best Batman to date (that’s right – not grumble-voice Christian Bale).
Johnny Depp as Lestat
Finally, a decision I agree with. Anne Rice has said many times that Tom Cruise was not who she wanted to play Lestat in Interview With the Vampire. I can see why. Compared to the Lestat in the books, he didn’t look the part, sound the part, or feel like the uber-charismatic vampire. Johnny Depp, however, is a chameleon and a fantastic actor. I can’t help but feel he would have not only done Lestat justice, but he would have disappeared into the role like a vampiric Jack Sparrow.
Will Smith as Neo
The Fresh Prince of Belair himself. Smith was offered the lead role in The Matrix, but thankfully, shot it down. There’s no doubt that he’s a better actor than Keanu Reeves, but that particular role seemed to almost demand a detached, blank, borderline braindead lead character. On the choice to not take the role, Will said, “That’s the role Keanu was born to play. When I watch the movie and I see the choices he made, there are a hundred occasions when I think, ‘I would have messed that up’.”
Sean Connery as Gandalf
Yup, you read that right. Apparently James-freaking-Bond was approached to play Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but he passed because “he didn’t understand it” and therefore didn’t want to commit to the rather lengthy shoot time of 18 months. Perhaps Peter Jackson should have yelled at him, “You shall not pass!!”
Mel Gibson as Batman
Before Mel Gibson was an anti-Semitic desperately trying to re-enter the acting world, he was one of the power players of the 80s. It should come as no surprise then that when Batman (1989) was being cast, he was the number one choice to play the title role. Fortunately though, he had to pass because he was already obligated to star in Lethal Weapon 2 and couldn’t make both of them work. This opened the door for the fantastic Michael Keaton to star as the best Batman to date (that’s right – not grumble-voice Christian Bale).
