Iconic acting roles almost went to someone else

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Kate Winslet playing Rose Dawson, but as with every role, plenty of actors were up for the part, including Claire Danes. Though she might’ve made a fine Rose, we’re happy the part went to Winslet, if only because she forged a lifelong friendship with her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Gwyneth Paltrow was another one in talks to play the iconic role of Rose Dawson in Titanic. It could just be our familiarity with Kate Winslet in the role, but we can’t quite picture Paltrow as Rose. The year after Titanic hit theaters, Paltrow had a period piece of her own come out, Shakespeare in Love, and she won an Oscar for it. She wasn’t meant to be in Titanic for several reasons. 

Rose Dawson wasn’t the only role in Titanic that almost went to another star. Matthew McConaughey was up for the role of Jack. He might’ve done alright, alright, alright, but little Leo definitely had that boyish charm that made the role so iconic, and McConaughey already had a much more mature look about him at the time. The correct casting choice was made. 

Titanic could’ve been a completely different movie with just a few casting changes, including the unsinkable Molly Brown. Kathy Bates was spectacular in this role, forcing us to remember her name despite appearing in only a few scenes. The role almost went to Reba McEntire, though.  

50 Shades of Grey could’ve been 50 shades of different had the role of Anastasia Steele gone to Emilia Clarke instead of Dakota Johnson. Clarke turned down the part due to the nudity. She wasn’t uncomfortable, but after having had so many similar scenes in Game of Thrones, she was tired of being asked about it. 

Molly Ringwald was at the top of her game in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and she almost starred in another iconic film, Pretty Woman . Ringwald turned down the part of Vivian because she wasn’t a fan of the script. She had nothing but praise for Julia Roberts, noting that she was meant for the role. 

Rita Wilson revealed that Tom Hanks almost played the role of Harry Burns in the perfect rom-com When Harry Met Sally . Tom Hanks can play anything, and we’re certain he would’ve done a fantastic job, but there’s something so special about the chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan that makes it hard to picture this picture with any other actors. 

When it comes to roles Tom Hanks was born to play, Forrest Gump is top of mind. John Travolta almost took this role, and we have a feeling it would’ve been a much different movie. Travolta chose to act in Pulp Fiction instead, and we’re glad he had the foresight. A very good choice, indeed. 

Learning which roles almost went to different actors is all sorts of fascinating, especially when the actors who did get the roles are significantly younger than those who were almost cast. George Clooney was in talks to play Noah Calhoun in The Notebook . It ultimately went to Ryan Gosling, 20 years Clooney’s junior. Something tells us it might not have worked quite as well. 

Perhaps the producers were looking to take The Notebook in a very different direction before they cast Ryan Gosling because the part of Noah Calhoun almost went to Tom Cruise, too. Like George Clooney, Tom Cruise is much older than Gosling. We’re not shaming anyone for their age, but it would’ve been a much different movie with a lead in his 40s than one in his 20s at the time of filming. 

Try to wrap your head around this one. Along with Tom Cruise being considered for the part of Noah, Britney Spears was considered for the part of Allie in The Notebook. That is a pairing we have trouble imagining. Suffice it to say the casting director made the right choices with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. 

Dan Humphrey is a role that we can’t see being played by anyone but Penn Badgley, but we probably would’ve felt that way no matter who had been cast. Alden Ehrenreich was almost Dan Humphrey and likely would’ve done a fine job. But we’re still glad Badgley played Lonely Boy. 

On the other hand, Serena van der Woodsen couldn’t have been played by anyone other than Blake Lively. Rumer Willis, among others, was considered for the part, but thankfully, producers went with Lively. She was born to play Serena, even if just to wear the clothes. 

A different actor almost played another lady in Dan Humphrey’s life. Taylor Momsen famously portrayed Jenny Humphrey before fleeing from New York City, but Lily Collins was almost Little J. We can’t help but wonder if Collins would’ve rocked a smokey eye like Momsen or if her rebellion would’ve used a little less eyeliner. 

Elle Woods is as iconic a character as can be, and knowing she was almost played by anyone other than Reese Witherspoon is a shock to the system. The role almost went to Christina Applegate. While we’re fans of Applegate, her Elle Woods would’ve been much edgier. Witherspoon’s congeniality is part of what makes the character what she is. 

Anyone, anyone, Johnny Depp? Our beloved Ferris Bueller, played by the wonderful Matthew Broderick, almost went to Mr. Depp. The character actor has already played so many iconic roles it’s impossible to fathom him with another on his resume. Ferris would’ve had a bit darker personality if Depp had played him. We’re glad they went with Broderick. 

If one thing in Hollywood is certain, it’s that whoever plays James Bond will become a household name. Henry Cavill once lost out on the part of James Bond, but he became a household name anyway because he was then available to play Superman. 

Hugh Jackman was already a household name when he was considered for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale . And he wasn’t just considered; he was offered the role and turned it down. The role went to Daniel Craig, who reprised the role for several more films. Had Jackman taken it, we might not have seen him in iconic films like Les Misérables or The Greatest Showman. Everything happens for a reason. 

Kerry Washington deserves all the praise in the world for her portrayal of Olivia Pope on Scandal, but Taraji P. Henson would’ve been fabulous, too. The character would’ve been a tad different but just as good. Not being cast in Scandal freed Henson up for her role in Empire, which was equally iconic. 

Justin Timberlake was tapped for the role of Mr. Schue on Glee. When putting him beside Matthew Morrison, it’s clear Ryan Murphy and Co. had a vision for what they wanted the character to look like. Timberlake certainly could’ve handled the dancing and singing, but could he have dealt with the tense and uncomfortable relationship with Coach Sue? We’ll never know.