5 Non-Obvious Reasons Why Hollywood Stars Turned Down Roles in Iconic Projects (13 photos)

Behind the scenes in Hollywood, stories unfold that are sometimes no less dramatic than those in the films themselves.





Stars have turned down roles that promised them fame and fortune for reasons that seem unthinkable. One was angered by the script's morality, another by a technical inaccuracy, and a third even filed a lawsuit over his own face. These refusals forever changed the fate of films and the actors themselves.

1. George Lazenby's Most Controversial Decision



George Robert Lazenby as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

George Lazenby went down in history as the James Bond who dared to walk away. After playing 007 just once, in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, he shocked Hollywood by turning down a seven-picture contract and a role in the future hit Diamonds Are Forever.





Sean Connery as Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever"

The decision was as bold as it was unexpected. Lazenby publicly announced his departure before filming ended, following the advice of his agent, who convinced the actor that in the progressive 1970s, a spy in a tuxedo would become a relic of the past.



Roger Moore as Bond

This move cost Lazenby millions in fees and cemented his reputation for decades as the most controversial Bond. Producers were furious, and colleagues said he was making a fatal mistake. Ultimately, the role was returned to Sean Connery for one film, and then Roger Moore took over for a long time.

However, time has put everything in its place: today, his only role as a super-spy has received the recognition it deserves, and his decision looks less like a mistake than a bold step against the system.

2. Why Robert Downey Jr. fled "Gravity"



The role of the charming astronaut Matt Kowalski in the Oscar-winning "Gravity" could have gone to Robert Downey Jr. It was him that director Alfonso Cuarón originally envisioned for the role.

However, Downey's career in space ended before it even began. Before filming, the actor auditioned in a unique set—a light box. It was a room with thousands of LEDs that created the effect of the cosmic abyss. The actors were placed in this box for hours, and the only way to communicate with the director was through a headset.



Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in "Gravity"

Downey only needed 20 minutes in this high-tech confinement to make his decision. Despite his vast experience in Hollywood blockbusters, this innovative method proved unbearable for him. He left the project. And the role was ultimately played brilliantly by George Clooney.

3. The Story of "Beverly Hills Cop" That Became "Cobra"



It's hard to imagine, but the legendary "Beverly Hills Cop" was originally conceived for Sylvester Stallone. However, when Sly joined the project, he completely rewrote it.

He removed almost all the humor, turning the story into a dark action thriller, and renamed the charming detective Axel Foley the stern Axel Cobretti. The producers wanted a light comedy, while Stallone wanted another hard-boiled action film. A compromise was impossible, and the actor left the project just two weeks before filming began.



Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop"

His version of the script was saved from oblivion: it formed the basis for the action film "Cobra," released a year later. The "Beverly Hills Cop" team quickly hired Eddie Murphy, for whom they rewrote the script in 24 hours, making it as funny as we know it.



Sylvester Stallone in the action film "Cobra"

Ultimately, both films—Murphy's comedy and Stallone's action film—became box office hits, proving that there was no right or wrong in this split, but simply two different perspectives on cinema.

4. Glover's Principles Versus Hollywood's Decisions



Crispin Glover "Back to the Future"

Crispin Glover, who played George McFly's eccentric father in the first "Back to the Future" film, turned down a role in the sequels. And it wasn't just about money.

The main reason was his protest against the original's ending. The actor was outraged that the happiness of his character and his entire family was measured by money and a new car, considering such a message immoral.



Jeffrey Weissman in Back to the Future Part II

The producers, without thinking twice, hired another actor, Jeffrey Weissman, and, using complex makeup and old molds of Glover's face, forced him to "play" the role against his will. Furthermore, in the second film, George McFly is mostly hanging upside down, making it difficult for viewers to tell it's not Glover. Upon learning of this, the actor filed a lawsuit, claiming the studio had stolen his image.

The dispute was settled, but it set an important precedent. Following this, the Screen Actors Guild officially banned studios from copying an actor's appearance without his express consent. Thus, one actor's integrity changed the rules for the entire industry.

5. A Dispute Between Professionals – A Pilot and a Director



Denzel Washington in "Flight"

John Travolta, an experienced pilot in real life, could have played an alcoholic pilot in Robert Zemeckis's drama "Flight." But the actor left the project during pre-production, claiming that the key scene involving the plane flipping in mid-air was silly and implausible.



While Travolta, as a professional, was right in his field, Zemeckis's directorial genius prevailed. The scene was technically sound, and the role Travolta turned down earned Denzel Washington an Oscar nomination. The irony is that John Travolta hasn't appeared in any notable films in a long time, and Flight could have revived his career, just as Pulp Fiction once did.