11 Best Hollywood Casting What-Ifs: Actors Discuss Fascinating Scenarios for the Year 2023 Release Date

Missed opportunities can be surprising and intriguing, and even successful A-List actors often ponder about what could have been. It’s absolutely captivating to hear what these famous actors have to say about some incredible Hollywood “what if” scenarios.

For instance, imagine Leonardo DiCaprio as Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights, or Christopher Walken taking on the legendary role of Han Solo in Star Wars. And let’s not forget that Liam Neeson had the chance to portray James Bond in GoldenEye. These potential paths could have completely shaped their careers in unimaginable ways.

Who doesn’t love hearing actors dive into the roles they almost snagged? If you have a favorite casting story from behind-the-scenes that seems too wild to be true, share it with us and let your imagination run wild.

1. Ian McKellen As Dumbledore In The ‘Harry Potter’ Series

Sir Ian McKellen, known for his iconic portrayal of Gandalf the Grey in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, had the opportunity to also play Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. However, he turned down the role, and during a 2017 interview with the BBC, he revealed the reason behind his decision.

It seems that Irish actor Richard Harris, who eventually landed the coveted bearded role of Dumbledore, had a significant influence on McKellen’s choice. Harris had once described McKellen as a “technically brilliant, but passionless” actor, which stuck with McKellen when he was considering joining the Harry Potter universe.

McKellen explained, “I couldn’t take over the part from an actor who I’d known didn’t approve of me.” This sentiment reflects his respect for Harris and his desire to not step into a role that was previously occupied by someone who held a negative opinion of his acting abilities.

Richard Harris portrayed the wise and enigmatic headmaster of Hogwarts School in the first two Harry Potter films, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Sadly, Harris passed away in 2002, and the role was then taken over by Michael Gambon.

2. Liam Neeson As James Bond In ‘GoldenEye’

James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli made attempts to cast Liam Neeson as the iconic spy in the 1990s. However, Neeson’s soon-to-be wife, Natasha Richardson, had strong objections. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone in 2023, the Irish actor shared:

“I know the Broccolis. They considered many actors. After Schindler’s List came out, Barbara [Broccoli] reached out to inquire if I would be interested, and I responded positively. But then my lovely wife, Natasha Richardson, may she rest in peace, said something to me while we were filming Nell in the Carolinas. She said, ‘Liam, I need to tell you something: If you become James Bond, we are not getting married.'”

It is likely that Broccoli was searching for a replacement for Timothy Dalton, who portrayed Bond from 1987 to 1989. Ultimately, the producer hired Pierce Brosnan, and Brosnan’s debut as Bond came in the 1995 film GoldenEye.

“She gave me a James Bond ultimatum,” Neeson added, recounting his wife’s strong disapproval. “And she meant it! Let’s face it, there are all those stunning women in different countries, getting into bed and getting out of bed. I’m sure her decision was influenced by that as well!”

3. Brendan Fraser As Clark Kent In ‘Superman: Flyby’

In the early 2000s, Brendan Fraser was riding high on his Hollywood career, known for his chiseled features and matinee idol appeal. During this time, he auditioned for the iconic role of Superman. It was a time when J.J. Abrams was determined to bring the superhero back to the silver screen, following the disappointment of 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

During a 2023 interview with Howard Stern, the Academy Award winner openly discussed the upsides and downsides of donning the famous red cape:

“Everyone in town was vying for the role of Superman. In 2002 or 2003, they were testing six or seven guys. It was undoubtedly a life-changing and incredible opportunity. However, I had to come to terms with the fact that if I did get the job, it would forever be associated with me, even on my gravestone. I had to ask myself if I was okay with that. Did I want to be known solely as the Man of Steel? Personally, I always prided myself on my professional diversity. I didn’t want to be seen as a one-trick pony.”

Fraser also expressed his disappointment at not landing the role. He believed that “shenanigans and studio politics” played a part, along with his own performance during the screen test. He admitted, “I think that’s why you test – they could kind of see I was only there like 98 percent instead.”

It is worth noting that Abrams’s script for Superman, titled “Flyby,” never made it to production. Instead, Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns hit theaters in 2006, featuring Brandon Routh as the titular hero.

4. Will Smith As Neo In ‘The Matrix’

In 2019, Will Smith opened up on his YouTube channel about a missed opportunity that could have made him “the one” in The Matrix. Despite his success in movies like Bad Boys and Independence Day, the Academy Award-winning actor revealed that he passed on the role of Neo after meeting with the then relatively unknown Wachowskis and discussing their new movie idea, The Matrix.

Reflecting on his decision, Smith admitted, “It turns out they are geniuses.” However, he chose to make the forgettable Wild Wild West instead of taking on the iconic role. Smith expressed regret for his choice, acknowledging that Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were perfect for the roles they eventually played. In a self-deprecating tone, he humorously stated, “So I probably would have messed The Matrix up. I would have ruined it, so I did y’all a favor.”

5. Sean Connery As Gandalf In ‘The Lord of the Rings’

Lord of the Rings producers made a tempting offer to Sean Connery, reportedly offering him $6 million to portray Gandalf in the LOTR trilogy. To sweeten the deal, they even included a 15% stake in the franchise’s box office profits. If he had accepted, this would have translated into a staggering $450 million payday for the Scottish actor.

However, Connery, who was already in his early 80s at the time, ultimately decided to pass on the opportunity. While he never directly addressed his decision, he did confess that he didn’t quite “understand” the film.

“I read the book,” Connery revealed, “I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don’t understand it. Ian McKellen, I believe, is marvelous in it.”

In the end, the role of the heroic wizard went to English actor Ian McKellen, who left a lasting impression with his portrayal in both The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy.

6. Christopher Walken As Han Solo In ‘Star Wars’

Christopher Walken is a versatile actor who has portrayed a wide range of characters throughout his impressive career spanning over 50 years. Interestingly, he was once considered for the iconic role of Han Solo in the first Star Wars film, as revealed by George Lucas. However, Walken himself is grateful that Harrison Ford ultimately landed the part, acknowledging that he would not have done justice to the character.

Reflecting on his career, Walken believes that accidents have played a significant role in shaping his path. He acknowledges that he has had some fortunate accidents along the way, which have led him to unique opportunities and experiences.

In terms of choosing roles, Walken believes that very few actors have the luxury of selecting their parts. Instead, they must embrace the roles that come their way. During the early stages of his career, Walken established a reputation for portraying characters who were unconventional and peculiar, such as gangsters and individuals struggling with their mental health.

All in all, Walken’s journey in the entertainment industry has been a result of unexpected twists and turns, ultimately shaping him into the celebrated actor he is today.

7. Diane Lane As Vivan Ward In ‘Pretty Woman’

In 2017, Diane Lane made a surprising revelation on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. She disclosed that she had auditioned for the iconic role that turned Julia Roberts into a global movie star.

According to Lane, she was just one of many who tried out for the part of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. However, when Lane performed her audition for the lovable prostitute, Vivian had a different character than what we eventually saw on screen.

Lane explained, “It turned out to be a feel-good movie. Originally, this crazy b**** was kicked out of a rolling limo at the end because she was delusional that she thought this guy was really in love with her. She was only hired for the weekend, and we had such compassion for her.”

Interestingly, Vivian was initially written as a drug addict. However, director Garry Marshall decided to rewrite the script, giving it a more lighthearted romantic-comedy tone.

Lane, on the other hand, prefers the non-fairytale ending that was originally envisioned. In fact, she expressed her desire to direct a version of the movie that stayed true to the original concept. Lane enthusiastically stated, “I think that movie needs to get made. I wanna direct it. Let’s make it happen.”

8. Nicolas Cage As Aragorn In ‘The Lord of the Rings’

According to Nicolas Cage, he doesn’t have any career regrets and he considers regret to be a waste of time. One movie franchise that he doesn’t regret passing on is The Lord of the Rings. In a 2015 interview with Newsweek, Cage revealed that he turned down a role in the trilogy, which eventually went to Viggo Mortensen.

Cage actually sees the positive side of not being a part of The Lord of the Rings. He explains that there were personal reasons that prevented him from committing to the project and being away from home for three years. He genuinely means it when he says that he gets to enjoy the movies as an audience member because he doesn’t watch his own films.

9. Jack Nicholson As Michael Corleone In ‘The Godfather’

Paramount Pictures initially resisted casting then-unknown stage actor Al Pacino for the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, preferring established movie stars like Ryan O’Neal or Robert Redford. However, director Francis Ford Coppola fought for Pacino, recognizing his potential for the character.

According to Jack Nicholson, he was actually the first choice to portray the war hero turned mafia boss. However, Nicholson decided to decline the role, citing his personal belief that actors should play characters of their own ethnic background. In 2004, he revealed, “Back then I believed that Indians should play Indians and Italians should play Italians.”

Despite other actors being considered for the part, Coppola insisted that Al Pacino was the perfect fit for Michael Corleone. Pacino’s performance captured the essence of the character, as depicted in Mario Puzo’s exceptional book that served as the source material for the film. Coppola’s conviction in Pacino’s talent remained unwavering, even when Paramount executives demanded that he replace the actor after filming had already begun. However, he firmly stood his ground and refused to let Pacino go.

10. Blake Lively As Karen In ‘Mean Girls’

The Plastics from Mean Girls could have had a completely different look. Blake Lively tried to make fetch happen during her audition for the iconic teen comedy, but Amanda Seyfried scored her feature film debut because she could relate to the ditzy, sweet Karen.

According to Seyfried, she believes she got the role of Karen because she played a similar character in high school, which helped her stay out of drama. In a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, she shared, “It was a much easier transition into playing Karen from where I was at in my life at that point.”

Interestingly, Seyfried initially auditioned for the role of Plastics Queen Bee, Regina George. She explained, “I had worked with this comedic director on my Karen audition because I’d first auditioned for Regina. I flew out to LA for the first time with my mother, and it was a very exciting experience. I met Lacey Chabert and Lindsay Lohan in the room, while Blake Lively was playing Karen. And then I was Regina.”

Reflecting on the audition process, Seyfried recalls the enthusiasm and appreciation everyone had for the ingenious script. She reminisces, “I remember the feeling of everybody really wanting to be there and really appreciating the ingenious of the script. I remember everybody having a lot of fun. There was just a vibe… they cast it right.

11. Amanda Seyfried As Gamora In ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’

Guardians of the Galaxy stands out from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its comedic and pulpy nature. Amanda Seyfried, known for her role in Mamma Mia!, has been open about her decision to turn down the role of Gamora. She revealed that she wasn’t a big fan of MCU movies and was concerned about the potential failure of the film affecting her promising career.

“I didn’t want to be part of the first Marvel movie that bombed. I said, ‘Who wants to see a movie about a talking tree and a raccoon?’ Which is clearly — I was very wrong.”

Her hesitation stemmed from the fear of being “that guy” whose career suffers after starring in a major box office flop. Seyfried had witnessed this happen to other actors and it became a significant concern for her.

“The script was great, it was all based on not wanting to be ‘that guy.’ Because if you are the star of a giant movie like that, and it bombs, Hollywood does not forgive you. I’ve seen that happen to people and it was a giant, giant fear and I thought, is it worth it?”

Instead, the role of Gamora went to Zoe Saldaña, who went on to portray the green alien humanoid in several other MCU films, including Avengers: Infinity War.

Aside from her concerns about the film’s success, Seyfried also mentioned her aversion to spending hours in the makeup chair every day.

“I was just like, ‘Ah, I don’t wanna be green. It’s just so much work.’ I remember Jennifer Lawrence talking about once, how long it took her to get blue [for the X-Men movies]. And I was like, ‘That seems like hell on earth,’ because then you get to set and you’re only there for a couple hours, and then you have to take everything off. And that was literally the reason.”