famous movie roles that were offered to other actors/actresses

To start:

Paul Newman was offered the part of Dirty Harry.

Several actors were considered for James Bond. Will post list later.

 

Truman Capote fought to have Marilyn Monroe play Holly Golightly in the film adaption of "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

 

From what I read:

Elvis Presley was offered the Ricky Nelson part in Rio Bravo.

From IMDB Trivia for the flick:

Howard Hawks always wanted someone who would connect with teenagers to play Colorado. Reportedly, his first choice was Elvis Presley, who was enthusiastic about the opportunity. Unfortunately, Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, wanted too much money and top billing. Neither Hawks nor John Wayne would have any of it, so the search continued. Presley joined the US army in March 1958, two months before filming began.

 

Tom Selleck was approached to play Indiana Jones, but luckily his obligations to Magnum PI got in the way.

 

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophen...n-greatest-actors-who-were-almost-james-bond/

Not surprised about some of the earlier names: Rex Harrison, David Niven, Richard Burton and James Mason.


Later years, find it amusing that Liam Neeson didn't want to be typecast for action. Look at him now.

Jude Law and Colin Firth aren't surprising but there had been rumors about Hugh Jackman, too, before Daniel Craig accepted the role.

More extensive list of names:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_considered_for_the_James_Bond_character

Timothy Dalton was first approached when Sean Connery left originally.

 

some more on an earlier thread:

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...-roles-that-went-to-other-movie-stars.281158/

 

Albert Brooks and Tom Hanks turned down the role of Harry in When Harry Met Sally.

 

More than just offered, Eric Stoltz gave his all as Marty McFly (six weeks worth of film were actually shot) before the producers figured out it wasn't working and replaced him with that Mike Fox guy.

 

Marie Osmond was offered the role of Sandy in Grease.

Sandra Bullock was offered the role of Maggie in Million Dollar Baby.

 

Didn't Streisand want Elvis for "A Star Is Born" also?

 

Yes, and Col. Parker famously turned it down.

 

Franco Zefferelli wanted Paul McCartney to star in Romeo & Juliet.

The list of actors who didn't get the leads in An Officer and a Gentleman is long, but it includes John Denver, who reportedly rejected the role.

 

Even a movie thread has to be turned into a McCartney discussion?

 

Cary Grant walked away from 2 great roles in classic 1954 films- the James Mason part in "A Star is Born" and the Humphrey Bogart role in "Sabrina"

James Caan- Dumbest actor ever ?? Caan reportedly turned down the leads in "Apocalypse Now", "Kramer Vs. Kramer", "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" (also turned down by Gene Hackman), and "Superman"

 

Elvis Presley actively pursued "Midnight Cowboy", hoping to land the Joe Buck role made famous by Jon Voight. He, and also likely The Colonel, wanted several references to homosexuality, prostitution and drug use removed before Elvis agreed to sign on.

 

Then what would be left ????

 

Was Denver up for the Debra Winger role?

 

All I know is Debra Winger would have eaten him alive. In both ways.

 

I read Leo was going to be the lead (Patrick Bateman) in American Psycho, and Oliver Stone was to direct. Both left the project after protests from feminist groups and other issues plagued the production.

 

The hat.

 

A rival approaches. Heres a handpicked list of some of the (films/roles) George Raft turned down:

"Dead End" (1937) - Humphrey Bogart
"High Sierra" (1941) - Humphrey Bogart
"The Maltese Falcon" (1941) - Humphrey Bogart
"Double Indemnity" (1944) - Fred MacMurray
"The Big Heat" (1953) - Alexander Scourby

 

Doris Day was offered the role of Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, but turned it down.

Dan Blocker (Bonanza) was first offered the role of Major Kong in Dr. Strangelove but declined, thus assuring Slim Pickens cinematic immortality.

 

John Travolta turned down the Richard Gere role in both American Gigolo and Chicago.

 

The Dirty Harry role was also offered to Frank Sinatra and, I think, he was on board for a short period.