8 actors who almost played beloved characters in cult films (8 photos)

Typically, truly great films—those critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences—have such perfectly cast actors that it's simply impossible to imagine anyone else in their place.





But things could have turned out differently if other stars had been cast in these iconic films. Which is quite possible, considering these actors and films. Why did celebrities turn down promising offers?

1. Madonna: Catwoman in "Batman Returns"



In 2021, on Jimmy Fallon, Madonna was asked if it was true that she turned down the role of Catwoman and the film "Showgirls" (1995). The star replied that she regretted turning down Catwoman because it was such a powerful role.

I've seen both films and I regret turning down the role of Catwoman. It was a powerful role. But do I regret not appearing in "Showgirls"? No.

Michelle Pfeiffer ultimately played Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), a role that is still remembered and beloved. Another big-screen regret was turning down a role in The Matrix. The singer didn't specify which role the Wachowski brothers offered her.

Can you believe it? I turned down a role in The Matrix! I wanted to kill myself over it. It's possibly one of the best films ever made, and I didn't take the role.

2. Jack Nicholson: Michael Corleone in "The Godfather"





"The Godfather" is, without exaggeration, a cult film. This is largely due to the perfect portrayal of Al Pacino as Michael Corleone. It's hard to imagine another actor in the role now, but another great actor, Jack Nicholson, was seriously considered by the film's producers. However, Jack turned it down.

At the time, I believed that Indians should be played by Indians, and Italians by Italians. Many people could have played Michael, including myself, but Al Pacino was Michael Corleone. I can't think of a better compliment for him.

3. John Travolta: Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump



"Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get." It was Tom Hanks, not John Travolta, who learned this truth as Forrest Gump in the 1994 hit of the same name. Travolta preferred Quentin Tarantino's crime caper to the tale of the American Ivan the Fool:

Yes, I didn't do what Tom Hanks did, but I did something different, no less interesting or funny.

4. Al Pacino: Han Solo in Star Wars



George Lucas offered Al Pacino the role of Han Solo in the 1977 space saga, but he turned it down, finding it too strange.

I had it in my pocket, but I didn't understand the script.

Harrison Ford ultimately won the role, but Jack Nicholson, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray were also considered.

5. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt: Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain



Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal received Oscar nominations for their roles as forbidden lovers in Ang Lee's critically acclaimed Brokeback Mountain. However, this 2005 romantic Western might have been very different had Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant directed it.

Van Sant, known for My Own Private Idaho (1991) and Good Will Hunting (1997), revealed in 2018 that he had been approached to direct the film before Lee did, and that he had other, more stellar candidates for the lead roles:

I was working on it and felt we needed a really strong, well-known cast. It didn't work out. I approached Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. They all turned it down after reading the script. No one wanted to do it.

6. Henry Cavill: Edward Cullen in Twilight



Henry Cavill was rumored to be the favorite to play the eternally youthful vampire. At least for author Stephenie Meyer, whose novel was adapted into the film.

"I heard she wanted me for the role," the Justice League star said on The Graham Norton Show in 2018. "But it wasn't her decision. He ended up being played by a very talented actor."

This actor was Robert Pattinson, who played Cullen in five films of the Twilight saga from 2008 to 2012.

Cavill admitted he doesn't regret missing out on the role.

7. Hugh Jackman: James Bond in Casino Royale



In 2017, Jackman revealed he had the chance to play 007 after the success of X-Men. But he turned down the role after learning his opinion on the development of James Bond wouldn't be taken into account.

The actor was just about to film X-Men 2 when his agent told him he was being approached about playing Bond. Jackman felt the scripts had become too far-fetched and crazy, and that they needed to be darker and more realistic, so he turned down the role. Ultimately, Casino Royale turned out to be a dark and realistic film.