Laughton had difficulty finding the title character and clashed with director Josef von Sternberg. After co-star Merle Oberon was injured in a car crash, the film was abandoned.
Actor who got the part: Film Never Finished
Said in an interview that he was approached to play the lead.
Actor who got the part: Will Smith
In the mid nineties Jennifer Connelly was to play Schwarzenegger's wife in director Ridley Scott's adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel. They were the only two actors to be cast before the project was abandoned.
Actor who got the part: TBA
According to the Toledo Blade, Tom Cruise turn down the lead role.
Actor who got the part: Will Smith
In the mid nineties Arnold Schwarzenegger was set to star in director Ridley Scott's adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel. No villain was ever cast for the film.
Actor who got the part: Will Smith
In the mid nineties Ridley Scott was set to direct an adaptation of the classic Richard Matheson novel. However the project eventually fell through. Recently it has been announced that Francie Lawrence will direct the movie after impressing studio execs with his work on Constantine.
Actor who got the part: Francis Lawrence
Alfred Hitchcock hoped to cast the Swedish actress who had just made a big impression in a film of Strinderg's "Miss Julie."
Actor who got the part: Anne Baxter
Director Alfred Hitchcock proposed the young beauty who had worked with Orson Welles to play the role of the Catholic priest's one-time love.
Actor who got the part: Anne Baxter
The difficult Grant turned down Alfred Hitchcock's offer to star him as a priest burdened by hearing the confession of a murderer.
Actor who got the part: Montgomery Clift
Alfred Hitchcock wanted De Havilland to play the married woman still in love with a man from her past, who has become a priest. The role became minimized, so a star of De Havilland's stature was not required.
Actor who got the part: Anne Baxter
In 1948 it was announced that Van Johnson would play the part of the priest suspected of murder in Alfred Hitchcock's film.
Actor who got the part: Montgomery Clift
Warner Bros. rejected director Alfred Hitchcock's idea of Olivier to play a Catholic priest who hears the confession of a murderer.
Actor who got the part: Montgomery Clift
Director Alfred Hitchcock considered Stewart one of the few actors who could put over with the public the role of a Catholic priest who hears the confession of a murderer.
Actor who got the part: Montgomery Clift
Alfred Hitchcock considered the stunningly beautiful film newcomer to star in his thriller about a Catholic priest who carries the weight of hearing the confession of a murderer. Theiss abandoned her film career for marriage and family.
Actor who got the part: Anne Baxter
Pregnancy caused her to withdraw for this project which had been meant for her.
Actor who got the part: Susan Hayward
Was considered for the role of "Dawn Campbell."
Actor who got the part: Naomi Watts
Deneuve was originally cast as Caterine Vauban, but dropped out.
Actor who got the part: Isabelle Huppert
Did not play "Dawn Campbell" because of scheduling difficulties. Her close friend, and the director's first choice, Naomi Watts instead did the role.
Actor who got the part: Naomi Watts
Scheduled to play "Dawn Campbell," she dropped out of the project for personal reasons.
Actor who got the part: Naomi Watts
Auditioned to play "Dawn Campbell."
Actor who got the part: Naomi Watts
Sarah auditioned for the role of Julie before being cast as Helen.
Actor who got the part: Jennifer Love Hewitt
Before being cast as Julie, Jennifer was considered to play Helen.
Picky Joan Fontaine turned down the starring role in this sentimental Christmas favorite.
Actor who got the part: Ginger Rogers
June wanted to play Lillian Roth, the singer who fought a battle with alcoholism, when Charles Walters was attached to direct. MGM chose Susan Hayward instead. Walters eventually left the project and was replaced by Daniel Mann.
Actor who got the part: Susan Hayward
When Meryl Streep was attached to the project, Aleandro was slated to play her mother. When Streep bowed out and Tracy Ullmann stepped in, the the role of the mother went to Joan Plowright.
Actor who got the part: Joan Plowright
Meryl wasn't available to play the part of the wife who tries to kill Kevin Kline, so she suggested her friend (and "Plenty" co-star), Tracey Ullman.
Actor who got the part: Tracey Ullman
Colin Farrell was set to play Bob Dylan but was replaced by Heath Ledger.
Actor who got the part: Heath Ledger
The hunky, versatile leading man was originally cast in the supernatural romantic comedy, but refused to work again with Veronica Lake, his costar in "Sullivan's Travels"
Actor who got the part: Fredric March
In the late '60s, a "fancy schmancy European director" briefly courted Duke for the lead role before he moved on to Liza Minnelli--and then ultimately dropped out of the project. The script fell into other hands and wasn't filmed until the late '70s.
Actor who got the part: Kathleen Quinlan
Had planned to produce and star in a movie version of Joanne Greenberg's novel about a mentally unstable young girl. The plans never materialized.
Actor who got the part: Kathleen Quinlan
Hewitt was reportedly offered the role of Alex McDonough but passed due to scheduling conflicts.
Actor who got the part: Jessica Biel
Badly wanted to star as the Norwegian matriarch, but was turned down by the producers because she didn't project sufficient maternal quality on screen.
Actor who got the part: Irene Dunne
Garbo turned down the role of the Norwegian matriarch at the same time she turned down Alfred Hitchcock's "The Paradine Case." She is reported to have said, "No murderesses, no mamas."
Actor who got the part: Irene Dunne
Lana Turner was cast as Linda Rogers but illness forced her to withdraw.
Actor who got the part: Laraine Day
James Earl Jones was considered to do the voice of Manny the mammoth.
Actor who got the part: Ray Romano
James Earl Jones was considered to do the voice of Manny the mammoth.
Actor who got the part: Ray Romano
Monica Bellucci was cast to play Renata, but had to drop out to have her baby.
Actor who got the part: Connie Nielsen
Natalie Portman turned down the role of Wendy before it went to Christina Ricci.
Actor who got the part: Christina Ricci
Jason Robards was so distraught over not getting the role of Hickey, his signature role on stage, that he got drunk and crashed his car into a mountain, nearly dying in the process. His recovery included facial reconstructive surgery.
Actor who got the part: Lee Marvin
Joan Crawford wanted the part of Irene, believing that her chemistry with Clark Gable was stronger than Norma Shearer's.
Actor who got the part: Norma Shearer
Lana Turner was originally cast as one of Clark Gable's song and dance girls.
Actor who got the part: Virginia Grey
Jennifer Jones replaced Kim Stanley in the role of Carol, an older woman seduced by a younger man.
Actor who got the part: Jennifer Jones
Had expected to star in the romantic comedy about a pair of friends who made a pact to leap off the Brooklyn Bridge if they hadn't found love by Lucy's 30th birthday.
Actor who got the part: Sarah Jessica Parker
Liv was originally cast as Sophie but dropped out shortly before filming started.
Actor who got the part: Jessica Biel
Redgrave was considered for the role of Cathryn.
Actor who got the part: Susannah York
Was considered to play the role of the young daughter of Lana Turner in the classic melodrama directed by Douglas Sirk.
Actor who got the part: Sandra Dee
Warner Brothers (with who she was under contract) refused to release her.
Actor who got the part: Gloria Grahame
Sarah Michelle Gellar turned down the role of Brittany Foster.
Actor who got the part: Susan Ward
Cast as empty young business whiz "Carter Duryea" but left the project due to "creative differences."
Actor who got the part: Topher Grace
Walsh dropped out as both director and from the role of the Cisco Kid after suffering an eye injury when a jackrabbit jumped through the window of a jeep he was driving. Warner Baxter ultimately won an Oscar for the role.
Actor who got the part: Warner Baxter
Audrey Hepburn declined the part of a young dying woman in this film.
Actor who got the part: Jane Fonda
Having developed the project with Jane Campion, Nicole Kidman pulled out of the lead role of Frannie because she was going through her famous divorce. She kept a producer credit.
Actor who got the part: Meg Ryan
Mickey was cast in one of the main roles but Nicole Kidman stated she wouldn't work with him, even though she hadn't meet him before. She later dropped out of the lead role herself.
Allyson was originally cast in this movie, but became pregnant and was replaced by Judy Garland.
Actor who got the part: Judy Garland
Glenn Close turned down the role of Lilly Raines.
Actor who got the part: Rene Russo
Sean Connery turned down the role of Frank Horrigan.
Actor who got the part: Clint Eastwood
Robert Duvall was considered at one time to play the bad guy - Mitch Leary.
Actor who got the part: John Malkovich
Dustin Hoffman was attached to the film at one time.
Actor who got the part: Clint Eastwood
Val Kilmer was considered to play Frank Horrigan.
Actor who got the part: Clint Eastwood
Nicholson was considered at one time to play the bad guy - Mitch Leary.
Actor who got the part: John Malkovich
Robert Redford was attached to the film at one time.
Actor who got the part: Clint Eastwood
Sharon Stone turned down the role of Lilly Raines.
Actor who got the part: Rene Russo
Gabriel Byrne intended to play Gerry Conlon himself after purchasing the rights to Conlon's book "Proved Innocent," but decided to serve as executive producer instead.
Actor who got the part: Daniel Day-Lewis
Writer-director Paul Haggis said he had written the role of the retired career Army officer for Eastwood.
Actor who got the part: Tommy Lee Jones
Ken Russell hoped to direct Streisand playing the legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt, in the early 1970's. Richard Fleischer eventually made a Bernhardt biopic with Glenda Jackson in 1976.
Actor who got the part: Glenda Jackson
Bacon turned down the role of David.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Beatty was the first choice to play the rich guy.
Actor who got the part: Robert Redford
Halle said in an interview that producers would not even consider her for the role, fearing that it would add an unintended racial element to the plot.
Actor who got the part: Demi Moore
Tom Cruise turned down the role of David.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
John Cusack was considered for the role of David Murphy.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Lolita Davidovich auditioned for the role of Diana.
Actor who got the part: Demi Moore
Depp was considered for the lead role of David (Woody)
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Nicole Kidman turned down the lead role of Diana, which was supposedly written with her in mind.
Actor who got the part: Demi Moore
Val Kilmer was considered for the role of David Murphy.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Tim Robbins was considered for the lead role of David Murphy.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Julia Roberts was the first choice to play Diana.
Actor who got the part: Demi Moore
Annabella Sciorra auditioned for the role of Diana.
Actor who got the part: Demi Moore
Charlie Sheen was considered for the role of David Murphy.
Actor who got the part: Woody Harrelson
Perry turned down the Jimmy Wilder role.
Actor who got the part: Harry Connick Jr.
Cathy Moriarty filmed scenes which were ultimately cut.
Gregory Peck was considered for the role of Prof. Henry Jones.
Actor who got the part: Sean Connery
Sharon Stone was one of the top choices for the role of Willie Scott before Kate Capshaw auditioned.
Actor who got the part: Kate Capshaw
Kerr was initially one of Cary Grant's considerations for his next co-star. Eventually Ingrid Bergman would become his only choice for the lead.
Actor who got the part: Ingrid Bergman
Dropped out of the production about Truman Capote, in which she would have played chic socialite and wife of director Howard Hawks, Slim Keith.
Actor who got the part: Hope Davis
Julia Roberts was interested in the Harper Lee role, but she became pregnant before the start of production.
Actor who got the part: Sandra Bullock
Had been cast in the story of Truman Capote as killer Perry Smith.
Actor who got the part: Daniel Craig
The actor had been attached to play killer of the Clutter family, Perry Smith.
Actor who got the part: Daniel Craig
In 1935 MGM commissioned F Scott Fitzgerald to write a screenplay for Joan Crawford, but he never completed it, and the project was abandoned.
Actor who got the part: Film Not Made
Quentin Tarantino reportedly wrote the screenplay with Mickey Rourke in mind. Tarantino changed his mind when Robert Rodriguez used Rourke in Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Sin City.
Actor who got the part: Michael Madsen
Turned down the role of "E.K. Hornbeck" to instead to "the Magnificent Seven."
Actor who got the part: Gene Kelly
His Agent turned down the offer of the role of "Dustfinger."
Actor who got the part: Paul Bettany
Audrey turned down the role to rest up before starting "the Nun's Story"
Actor who got the part: Ingrid Bergman
According to an interview with Spike Lee, Ron Howard had shown interest in directing.
Actor who got the part: Spike Lee
Spike Lee offered Washington his choice of the two lead roles. Washington choose the role of the cop because his face wasn't covered througout most of the movie.
Actor who got the part: Clive Owen
Val Kilmer was considered for the role of Jeffrey Wigand.
Actor who got the part: Russell Crowe
Ford was considered for the lead role of Will Dormer.
Actor who got the part: Al Pacino
Lindsay Lohan reportedly turned down the role of Penny.
Sean Connery was considered for the role of Ethan Powell.
Actor who got the part: Anthony Hopkins
Woody Allen reportedly had Bergman in mind for Eve and offered her the part. Bergman declined, having already accepted Ingmar Bergman's invitation to star in "Autumn Sonata."
Actor who got the part: Geraldine Page
Grayson was considered to play opera singer Marjorie Lawrence, but Lawrence ruled her out as "too pretty."
Actor who got the part: Eleanor Parker
Daniel Day-Lewis was reportedly the first choice to play Lestat. Some sources say he was actually cast, then dropped out.
Actor who got the part: Tom Cruise
Johnny Depp turned down the lead role of Lestat.
Actor who got the part: Tom Cruise
After River Pheonix passed away, Leonardo DiCaprio was approached to play the part of The Interviewer.
Actor who got the part: Christian Slater
Stephen Dorff was reportedly screentested after River Phoenix's death.
Actor who got the part: Christian Slater
Anne Rice wanted Hauer to play Lestat but was overuled by the producers. She threatened to take her name off the project right up until she saw the final cut because she believed Cruise couldn't do the role justice.
Actor who got the part: Tom Cruise
Val Kilmer turned down the lead role of Louis.
Actor who got the part: Brad Pitt
Moore auditioned for the lead role of Claudia.
Actor who got the part: Kirsten Dunst
River Phoenix was cast to play The Interviewer, but he passed away before filming began.
Actor who got the part: Christian Slater
One of the movies she lost out to Kristen Dunst for in 1994.
Actor who got the part: Kristen Dunst
Swain auditioned for the lead role of Claudia.
Actor who got the part: Kirsten Dunst
Was set to play the Witch in Rob Reiner's movie version of Stephen Sondheim's witty musical.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been set to play the Giant in director Rob Reiner's movie version of the witty, wry Stephen Sondheim stage musical hit.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been cast as Rapunzel's prince in a movie version of Stephen Sondheim's witty musical, which Rob Reiner was to have directed.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been set to play the Baker's Wife in a Rob Reiner-directed film version of the Stephen Sondheim hit musical.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been set to play Cinderella's prince in a Rob Reiner-directed screen version of the Stephen Sondheim musical play.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been set to play the seductive Wolf who helps Red Riding Hood grow up in a movie version of the Stephen Sondheim musical, which was to have been directed by Rob Reiner.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Had been set to play the practical but dim-witted mother of Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in a movie version of Stephen Sondheim's hit musical play. Rob Reiner was to have been the director.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Rob Reiner in 1996 tried to launch a movie version of Stephen Sondheim's musical with Williams as the Baker.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Rob Reiner had cast wood as Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in a proposed screen version of Stephen Sondheim's witty stage hit musical.
Actor who got the part: Project Abandoned
Richard Gere was considered for the role of Miles Massey.
Actor who got the part: George Clooney
Originally Jonathan Demme was attached to direct with Tea Leoni and Hugh Grant on board.
Actor who got the part: Catherine Zeta-jones
Julia Roberts turned down for the role of Marylin Rexroth.
Actor who got the part: Catherine Zeta Jones
Whitney Houston had shown interest in portraying Dandridge. She reportedly owned the rights to the Donald Bogle biography of Dandridge at one time.
Actor who got the part: Halle Berry
Janet Jackson tried for years to star in a DOROTHY DANDRIDGE story on the big screen but the project constantly stalled. The project was eventually made into an HBO movie starring Halle Berry.
Actor who got the part: Halle Berry
According to IMDB, Chuck Norris really wanted to get Whoopi Goldberg a role in his film Invasion U.S.A.
The studio's first choice got passed over by director James Whale who preferred an actor with a more intellectual, refined speaking voice and manner.
Actor who got the part: Claude Rains
Offered the great "Harry Palmer" spy role, he instead opted to do an uninspired Doris Day movie -- a decision he regretted.
Actor who got the part: Michael Caine
Considered a frontrunner to play spy "Harry Palmer," Plummer dropped out of the competition to star in "The Sound of Music."
Actor who got the part: Michael Caine
In spite of the wretched time Billy Wilder had directing Marilyn in Some Like It Hot, he recognised her box office appeal, and considered her in 1960 for this film.
Actor who got the part: Shirley MacLaine
When Monroe proved unavailable, Taylor was being considered for the role.
Actor who got the part: Shirley MacLaine
Rachel McAdams was originally considered for the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man's love interest, Pepper Potts.
Actor who got the part: Gwyneth Paltrow
Gene Hackman was considered for the role.
Actor who got the part: Jack Nicholson
Paul Newman wanted to play the lead.
Actor who got the part: Jack Nicholson
Jason Robards was considered for the role.
Actor who got the part: Jack Nicholson
For years Debra developed a biopic on the 19th-century mystic who became involved in fighting religious wars in the Middle East, but never got to play the part.
Actor who got the part: Mathilda May
Scarlett Johansson wanted to show her breasts in the love scene with Ewan McGregor but director Michael Bay declined.
Morrow was cast as Edward Douglas, but left the production after director Richard Stanley was fired.
Actor who got the part: David Thewlis
Turned down the runaway bride role for which Claudette Colbert won an Oscar.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
Bette Davis wanted to appear in It Happened One Night but her studio Warner Bros wouldn't release her to go to Columbia Pictures to make it.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
Rejected the role of the spoiled, flighty millionairess and runaway bride.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
Turned down the role of the runaway bride and heiress.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
Turned down the role of the runaway heiress and bride.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
Spurned the role of reporter "Peter Warne" in what went on to become a classic, multiple Oscar-winning hit screwball comedy.
Actor who got the part: Clark Gable
Turned down the role of "Peter Warne," the newsman who chases the runaway bride. It won Gable an Oscar.
Actor who got the part: Clark Gable
Turned down the role of the spoiled runaway bride-to-be.
Actor who got the part: Claudette Colbert
George Burns reportedly turned down a role.
Director Stanley Kramer wanted Garland to play the shrewish wife of Ernie Kovacs. Kovacs was tragically killed in a car crash and, when he was replaced by another star, the idea of casting Garland made less sense.
Actor who got the part: Ethel Merman
Bob Hope reportedly turned down a role.
Originally, Buster Keaton had the role of Smiler Gorgan. When the role was reassigned to Jimmy Durante, they gave him a different role.
Actor who got the part: Jimmy Durante
Kovacs was set to play "Melville Crump," but was killed in an automobile accident.
Actor who got the part: Sid Caesar
Laurel was offered to appear, but declined, because he felt he couldn't work without his deceased partner, Oliver Hardy.
Ethel Merman's role was originally going to be a "father-in-law," and Groucho Marx was a choice to play it.
Actor who got the part: Ethel Merman
Jackie Mason reportedly turned down a role.
Don Rickles reportedly really wanted a role, but was never offered one. Whenever Stanley Kramer came to one of his shows, Don would always give him trouble about it.
Red Skelton reportedly turned down a role.
Ed Wynn was supposed to play the fire chief at the end of the movie.
The one-of-kind star was director Frank Capra's first choice to play "Mary Hatch Bailey."
Actor who got the part: Donna Reed
Another actress offered the role of Mary Bailey .
Actor who got the part: Donna Reed
Frank Capra considered using W.C. Fields in the role of Uncle Billy.
Actor who got the part: Thomas Mitchell
Grant was the top choice for It's a Wonderful Life when the film was still titled "The Greatest Gift."
Actor who got the part: James Stewart
Was under consideration to play villainous "Mr. Potter" in director Frank Capra's classic.
Actor who got the part: Lionel Barrymore
Ginger Rogers was asked to play the part of Mary, the wife of George Bailey, but turned it down because the part was so small.
Actor who got the part: Donna Reed
Leslie Howard wanted the great theater star to appear opposite him in this romantic comedy. Lawrence was interested, but producer Hal Wallis pushed for Warner Brothers contract player Bette Davis, thinking she needed a respite from dramatic roles.
Actor who got the part: Bette Davis
Olivia De Havilland was originally cast as the murderous Ivy Lexton, but later withdrew, and was replaced by her sister, Joan Fontaine.
Actor who got the part: Joan Fontaine
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