Celebrities Who Regretfully Rejected Iconic Movie Roles

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12. Sean Connery

Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandolf in “Lord of the Rings” and Morpheus in “The Matrix” trilogy. Connery has admitted that he regrets rejecting these two roles. We would too!

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11. Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock abandoned the role of Maggie Fitzgerald in “Million Dollar Baby” because of several production delays. The part then went to Hilary Swank who secured her second Academy Award for her role in the film.

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10. Al Pacino

Al Pacino passed on the role of Edward Lewis in “Pretty Woman,” as well as the lead role in “Die Hard.” Richard Gere took the role of Lewis in “Pretty Woman” and Bruce Willis grabbed the part in “Die Hard.” Pacino also passed on the role of Han Solo in “Star Wars,” which went to Harrison Ford.

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9. John Travolta

John Travolta turned down the lead role in “Forrest Gump,” which went to Tom Hanks. Hanks ended up winning an Academy Award for his performance. Travolta also turned down a role in “American Gigolo.” The role went to Richard Gere, cementing his A-list status.

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8. Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger was offered the role of Catherine Tramell in “Basic Instinct” because Michael Douglas suggested that she would be a great fit. Basinger turned it down and it went to Sharon Stone who was virtually unknown at the time.

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7. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks turned down the lead role in “Jerry Maguire” because he was directing “That Thing You Do.” Hanks has few regrets though. “I think you look at it now and it couldn’t have been anybody other than Tom Cruise.” That’s the spirit!

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6. Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal turned down the part of Jake Sully in “Avatar,” the highest grossing film of all time. Matt Damon was also offered the role, but also turned it down. Director James Cameron isn’t sure why both of these actors turned down the part, but he admits that he didn’t go out of his way to “woo them.”

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5. Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts was offered the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side.” The role went to Sandra Bullock who won an Academy Award for her performance and Julia Roberts instead starred in “Valentine’s Day,” a box office success that was panned by critics.

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4. Halle Berry

Halle Berry turned down the role of the bus driver Annie Porter in “Speed.” The part then went to Sandra Bullock who became an instant star as a result of her performance. Berry also turned down a role in “Waiting to Exhale.”

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3. Bruce Willis

Bruce turned down the role of Sam in “Ghost” opposite his wife at the time, Demi Moore. The part then went to Patrick Swayze and the film ended up becoming a mega hit.

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2. Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer turned down the role of Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs,” as she found the film too violent and graphic. The role, instead, went to Jodie Foster after every top actress in Hollywood auditioned for the role. Foster won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her performance.

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1. Reese Witherspoon

Reece Witherspoon turned down the role of Sidney Prescott in “Scream.” It was then offered to Neve Campbell. Witherspoon did alright for herself though, as she went on to star in “Walk the Line,” winning her first Oscar.

Cate

Cate has a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature and has been the Managing Editor of Fame10 for more than 6 years. Despite having a love for the works of Thomas Hardy, Leo Tolstoy and Lord Byron, she also has an intense fascination with pop culture. When she isn’t writing for Fame10, she’s planning her next big adventure in Southeast Asia.