There are movies that have been stuck in our hearts and will always remain as our favorites. While there are many factors that lead to the success of a movie, the actor who plays the protagonist clearly plays a key role. It is the way they look, walk and say the piercing dialogues in their own charming mannerisms that own our hearts.
It’s simply impossible to imagine anyone else in that character and when you find out that original choice of the character was someone who does not match the role even remotely, you simply thank God that it did not work out that way.
Here are some of the Epic movies which supposed to be led by other actors but destiny had different plans.
1. The Matrix – Will Smith instead of Keanu Reeves
Agreed that Will Smith gets more marks than Keanu Reeves as far as acting skills are concerned. Smith’s performances in The Pursuit of Happyness and I am Legend has been legendary. However, there is no way Smith would be a better choice than Reeves for The Matrix.
That stoic expression, the blank delivery of words and the pale face with dark sunglasses were the essence of Neo. Smith was hot in Hollywood after the success of Independence Day and it’s understandable why the producers wanted him. However, Smith rejected the role for Wild Wild West. Smith himself had confessed that he would have messed the role up as he was not smart enough to pull off a Neo at that point of his career.
2. 10 Things I Hate About You – Ashton Kutcher instead of Heath Ledger
This would have been a complete disaster. Agreed, Ashton Kutcher has his own charm and fan following, but 10 Things I Hate About You would have remained just another fun to watch rom-com if there was no Heath Ledger.
It was probably the first time in a teen flick that such an unusual choice of a lead actor was made and Heath Ledger’s endearing accent, the curly hair running down his neck and the little improvisations here and there such as playing with the flame with his fingers were simply out of Kutcher’s league. Thank God, Ledger beat out Kutcher for the role otherwise, the movie would probably never have made it to the cult status it has reached today.
3. The Notebook – Britney Spears instead of Rachael McAdams
Hollywood dodged a big bullet with this one. The Notebook is a movie that makes a woman cry no matter how many times they watch it. However, with Britney Spears playing the role of Allie, women instead of crying would have turned their bitch mode on because, hey, it’s Britney, bitch!
Gosling and McAdams apparently were not getting along on the sets at the beginning and Gosling had even approached Nick asking if he could replace the lead actress with someone else. Director, Nick Cassavetes did himself a big favor when he cast McAdams instead of Britney for the movie. Sure, the movie would have been a hit but it would hardly ever be the Hollywood classic with Britney Spears playing the unforgettable character.
4. Forrest Gump – John Travolta instead of Tom Hanks
8 out of 10 people would say that Forrest Gump is their favorite movie of all times. With probably the best performance of his life, Tom Hanks won million hearts as he played the character of a slow-witted, simpleton, Forrest.
However, the studio wanted John Travolta to play the role which is a little hard to digest because although Travolta had immense star value, his acting abilities to pull off a Forrest was questionable. Thankfully, Travolta rejected the legendary role and it landed on the lap of Tom Hanks who simply nailed the character with his impeccable southern accent and genial demeanor.
5. Iron Man – Tom Cruise instead of Robert Downey Junior
Which superhero is also the most likable asshole in Hollywood? It is Tony Stark a.k.a The Iron Man, a character immortalized by Robert Downey Junior. While we it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the iron shoes of Tony Stark, Marvel’s first choice of the role was Tom Cruise. Luckily, Tom Cruise lost interest in the script and rejected the offer and director, Jon Favreau decided to go with Robert Downey Junior.
Well, Cruise would have made a very handsome Tony Stark for sure but the little eccentricities and the occasional dark side of the character would have been unknown to us had it not been for RDJ.
6. The Terminator – O.J Simpson instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger
If James Cameron was not a big director, executives at Hemdale pictures would have gone ahead with what they thought was a great idea – casting a football player for the iconic role of T-800. Orenthal James Simpson was no doubt, a popular figure but no way suitable for the role. Thankfully, James Cameron put an end to the shenanigans of the Hemdale Pictures Executives and started looking for the perfect human specimen fit enough to be portrayed as an artificial killing machine. He had no second thoughts in mind once he laid his eyes on Schwarzenegger and the rest is history.
Thankfully, James Cameron put an end to the shenanigans of the Hemdale Pictures Executives and started looking for the perfect human specimen fit enough to be portrayed as an artificial killing machine. He had no second thoughts in mind once he laid his eyes on Schwarzenegger and the rest is history.
7. Dirty Harry – Frank Sinatra instead of Clint Eastwood
Frank Sinatra, legendary singer and a pretty good actor were the first choice for Harry Callahan and he was already hired by Warner Brothers to play the role of the San Francisco police detective. However, Dirty Harry had to be one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood and it just had to have Clint Eastwood’s eyebrows say, “Do you feel lucky, punk?”. In a turn of events, Sinatra breaks his wrist while shooting for another movie and was not able to lift the famous Smith & Wesson Rifle sported by Callahan in Dirty Harry. Eastwood was brought in as a replacement and the fans could never ever be more thankful for Sinatra’s little accident.
In a turn of events, Sinatra breaks his wrist while shooting for another movie and was not able to lift the famous Smith & Wesson Rifle sported by Callahan in Dirty Harry. Eastwood was brought in as a replacement and the fans could never ever be more thankful for Sinatra’s little accident.
8. Pirates of the Caribbean – Jim Carrey instead of Johnny Depp
Disney’s original choice for the role of Captain Jack Sparrow was Hollywood’s funny man Jim Carrey. Had Jim Carrey been the final lead cast, Captain Jack Sparrow would surely have been a ridiculously funny pirate but Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl would have been just another slapstick comedy. It’s also doubtful if Pirates wold have continued as one of the most successful series of Hollywood if it did not have Johnny Depp.
The Almighty came to the rescue when Jim Carrey faced scheduling conflicts as he was shooting Bruce Almighty at the time, and the role ended up in the hands of Johnny Depp who immortalized the rum drinking, wobbly legged pirate.
9. F.R.I.E.N.D.S – John Cryer instead of Matthew Perry
What could have been the biggest mistake of the 90s was averted because of a freak turn of events. John Cryer, who proved his mettle as a fine actor in Two and A Half Men, is brilliant but in no way an alternative for Mathew Perry as Chandler.
When Marta Kauffman called Cryer for auditioning for the role of Chandler Bing, it was 3 in the morning in London, where Cryer was at the moment. The casting director was supposed to see the audition tape the next morning at Los Angeles and Cryer did his best Chandler Bing, sent the audition tape to Los Angeles where it got stuck at the airport customs and never made it to the casting director.
10. Harry Potter – Liam Aiken instead of Daniel Radcliffe
Liam Aiken had been one of the most gifted child actors in Hollywood. His performances in movies such as Stepmom and Road to Perdition  has been incredible for someone his age. Therefore, it was not a surprise that he was considered to play one of the most popular characters of children’s literature, Harry Potter. However, Liam lost the part to Daniel Radcliffe because he did not have the British accent that was essential for the role. As a result, out went Aiken and in came Radcliffe.
However, Liam lost the part to Daniel Radcliffe because he did not have the British accent that was essential for the role. As a result, out went Aiken and in came Radcliffe.
11. Star Wars – Al Pacino Instead of Harrison Ford
Now, this one’s tricky. Al Pacino and Harrison Ford are both heavyweights and stalwarts of Hollywood. Could Hans Solo, the human smuggler be any better than what Harrison Ford has done?
Well, we will never get to know and neither do we want. Ford was absolutely legendary in the iconic character turned down by Al Pacino who simply couldn’t understand the role narrated to him.
Some of these actors may not have been such a bad choice for the roles after all, but hey, what’s done is done and we don’t won’t have it any other way.