There are many ways to get a starring role. Some actors are selected during castings, while others are invited due to their popularity, which is what happened to Kate Winslet after Titanic. But not all auditions end successfully, or actors may not agree to offers made by film directors or producers. For example, Russell Crowe refused to star in Lord of the Rings because his intuition told him so.
At Bright Side, we imagined what our favorite characters would look like if other people portrayed them.
Daenerys Targaryen — Elizabeth Olsen
The actress, who has become famous for her role of the Scarlet Witch, failed auditions for the role of Mother of Dragons at the beginning of her career. Elizabeth Olsen later described what happened: “It was the most awkward audition I’d ever had. I was doing the Khaleesi speech when she comes out of the fire. It was awful. I didn’t get a callback.” As a result, Daenerys was played by Emilia Clarke.
Aragorn — Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe was asked once whether he regretted refusing to play Aragorn in the iconic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. The actor honestly replied that he had never thought about it and explained why he didn’t join the project. According to Crowe, Peter Jackson never really wanted to cast him for the role of Aragorn. Russell’s instinct told him that the director already had a suitable person in mind, so he politely declined the offer.
Ellie Sattler — Gwyneth Paltrow
In 1992, Gwyneth Paltrow wanted to get the role of Dr. Ellie Sattler. This part would’ve really helped the career of the aspiring actress because Jurassic Park had become a popular franchise. However, the future star failed, and the role went to Laura Dern.
James Bond — Henry Cavill
Now it’s hard to imagine anyone but the brilliant Daniel Craig playing this role, but Henry Cavill had a chance to become the new Agent 007. The actor was turned down because he was “a little chubby.” Cavill accepted the criticism with dignity and began to do more physical training, which helped him in his future career.
Jane Smith — Gwen Stefani
Popular singer Gwen Stefani is a truly versatile person. She almost landed the lead role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Stefani went to quite a few auditions, but eventually, she made a choice in favor of a musical career. And Jane Smith was played by the amazing Angelina Jolie.
Indiana Jones — Tom Selleck
The actor almost played the cheerful adventurer. Tom Selleck got the role of Indiana Jones, but by that time, he had already signed on for the Magnum, P.I. TV series, and the producers didn’t allow him to combine the 2 projects.
Prince Caspian — Nicholas Hoult
According to the actor, auditions for the role of Prince Caspian were the worst in his career. Nicholas Hoult was asked to speak with a Hispanic accent, like Puss in Boots from Shrek. Holt was embarrassed by this request because he wasn’t prepared for it. Eventually, the role went to British actor Ben Barnes, who was the perfect fit.
Viola De Lesseps — Kate Winslet
After the resounding success of Titanic, Kate Winslet received many offers from different film directors. She was invited to take part in Shakespeare in Love, but the actress refused because she wanted to work on more independent projects. Eventually, Gwyneth Paltrow landed the role. And she made the right choice, as she was awarded an Oscar for her performance.
Alex Munday — Angelina Jolie
We know from Angelina Jolie’s filmography that she loves to take part in action flicks. But still, there was a similar project the actress rejected. Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz did their best to convince Jolie to play their partner but to no avail.
Jolie felt she wasn’t right for this role and later explained her refusal: “I’m not at that point in my career, so audiences won’t have as much fun watching me run around in high heels chasing bad guys and flipping my hair.”
Patrick Bateman — Johnny Depp
Initially, American Psycho was supposed to be directed by Stuart Gordon. The director saw only Johnny Depp in the main role and persuaded him to take it. But the author of the novel abruptly changed his mind. He pulled Stuart Gordon’s rights to the book and called Johnny Depp a lightweight actor who was too old to play the part. Depp was 28 at the time.
Christian Grey — Charlie Hunnam
In 2013, all the newspapers announced the news of the year: Charlie Hunnam would star in the screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. But a few months later, the actor changed his mind and refused the role. As it turned out, Hunnam had a nervous breakdown due to his busy work schedule.
The actor realized that he wouldn’t be able to do his job properly, but this decision was very difficult for him. Hunnam hasn’t seen any of the films in the trilogy because he called that situation “the worst professional experience” of his life.
Do you think the actors from our article would have been more convincing in these roles? Share your opinion in the comments below.
Preview photo credit Game of Trones / HBO, Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP / East News
Farewell to a Country Legend
Throughout his illustrious career, Alan Jackson has released several important albums that have solidified his status as a country music legend. Albums such as “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” (1991), “A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love)” (1992), and “Who I Am” (1994) have all produced multiple chart-topping singles.
With a voice that resonates with authenticity and lyrics that capture the essence of life, Jackson has been recognized with numerous awards, including Grammys, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards.
His remarkable talent has also earned him a well-deserved place in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Despite his immense success, Jackson has been facing a personal challenge. Approximately three years ago, he revealed that he has been living with a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease for the last decade.
This condition primarily affects the peripheral nerves in the arms and legs, leading to muscle weakness and decreased sensation. Symptoms often begin in the feet and legs, impacting mobility and causing difficulties with walking.
Despite these challenges, Jackson has remained resilient and determined to give his fans the performances they deserve.
To kick off this memorable tour, Alan Jackson will be taking the stage in Boston before heading to other cities like Kansas City, Fort Worth, and Orlando.
Tickets for these highly anticipated shows will go on sale on Friday, June 7th. This is a unique opportunity to witness a country music legend bid farewell to the stage, and fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early.
Country music legend Alan Jackson has made a surprising announcement: he will be embarking on what may be his final live tour. The Last Call: One More For the Road tour, which began in 2022, will continue through 2025, giving fans one last chance to see this iconic performer live on stage. With sold-out shows and packed crowds all across the country, this tour is not one to miss.
In an emotional Instagram post, Jackson expressed his excitement for the tour, saying, “Some of the best times are had right at last call, and this is one last call that you don’t want to miss!”
Known for his classic hits like “Chattahoochee” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” Jackson promises to deliver the songs that have defined his career and touched the hearts of millions of fans.
Don’t miss your last chance to experience the magic of Alan Jackson live in concert. Join him as he takes a final bow and celebrates a remarkable career that has left an indelible mark on the world of country music. Get ready for a night of music, memories, and an unforgettable farewell from a true country legend.
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