The Surprising Movie Roles the Stars Turned Down: Revealed!

Movie fans all remember Tom Cruise dancing in his underwear in 'Risky Business,' so he would be a shoe-in for the lead role in 'Footloose' -- but surprisingly he turned that role down and the role ended up going to Kevin Bacon. A new NewYorkDailyNews.com feature is stacking up the list of roles that celebs later may have had regrets about turning down!

Some of the surprising roles turned down include:

John Travolta turned down the lead role in 'Forrest Gump,' which later earned Tom Hanks an Oscar. According to the New York Daily News, he later said, "What you turn down can be a gift to someone else."

Jodie Foster was once considered for the part of Princess Leia in 'Star Wars,' according to the New York Daily News.

Will Smith turned down the role of Neo in 'The Matrix,' having reportedly said, "In the pitch, I just didn’t see it."

Molly Ringwald turned down the lead role of prostitute Vivian in 'Pretty Woman,' an iconic role that launched Julia Roberts' popularity.

Alec Baldwin turned down the Richard Kimball part in 'The Fugitive,' which went to Harrison Ford.

Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the role of Dirk Diggler in 'Boogie Nights,' which later went to Mark Wahlberg.

Angelina Jolie passed on one of the roles for the 'Charlie's Angels' film, reportedly saying, "With 'Charlie's Angels,' I made my decision because: 1. I didn't watch the original TV series and 2. I don't get dressed up. Also, I'm probably not the best group person, so it didn't really suit my personality."

Click here for the complete list of celeb roles initially intended for other stars!

Published 8/25/09 by

Comments (39)

orLogin
Forgot User Name or Password?
I could have soo seen christopher walken as Han Solo. If only walken played Solo then there would be no arguement on who shot first. You talk to Han "walken" Solo the wrong way you are gonna get shot.

Anonymous 1/16/10 Reply
back then though i don't think will smith could have pulled it off now he could but probably not then

Anonymous 1/16/10 Reply
who really gives a damn, anon at 12/1/09 : youre anonymous too!

Anonymous 12/20/09 Reply
I think that Matrix with Will Smith and Forrest Gump with John Travolta would be weird and interesting to see. But, actually, I think that Tom Hanks and Keanu Reeves are just fine, better.

Anonymous 12/4/09 Reply
all of you writing stupid comments and remaining anonymous, show yourselves so that i can bash your heads

Anonymous 12/1/09 Reply
- Your probably retarded you just made a stupid comment and other then that your a hypocrite because your also Anonymous.
  
  Anonymous 12/30/09
the only good choice there was angelina's. charlies angels sucked ass

Anonymous 11/23/09 Reply
Stallone was intended for Beverly Hills Cop before it went to Eddie Murphy! Might've worked if it started in Brooklyn and not Detroit!

Anonymous 11/9/09 Reply
I believe Sylvester Stallone claims to have been offered the Han Solo role in "Star Wars".

Anonymous 11/6/09 Reply
if will smith was in the matrix he would have been named Ne"gr"o, hahah M I RITE?

Anonymous 10/23/09 Reply
This is Will Smith and I just want to let you all know how hurt I am by your comments. I thought this country was moving in another direction, away from thoughtless racism and ignorance. I guess I was wrong.

Anyway, I do agree that I was wrong for The Matrix, hence my turning it down.

Whoever called Leo an ass pirate is also an ignorant person. Leo is, in fact, not a homosexual. Although, if he was, you would still have no right to say these things about him. It's hateful, childish behavior.

Anonymous 10/21/09 Reply
- You're a moron if you think anyone would fall for that.
  
  Anonymous 10/23/09
Nothing about Willem Dafoe turning down Boondock Saints II?

Anonymous 10/19/09 Reply
- Why would that be news?
  
  Anonymous 10/21/09
- Spoiler Alert - Willem Dafoe was in Boondock Saints II, at the end.
  
  Anonymous 12/30/09
Wow, this has got to be the biggest collection of immature comments I've seen in my life, how many here are actually over the age of 2?

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
lol i bet you molly has been kicking herself since turning the role down

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
Some of you are ignorant fools. Please do not use the "n" word to describe Will Smith; you are only furthering the stereotype that all white people use the "n" word to insult any black person.

Anonymous 9/17/09 Reply
Harrison Ford made "The Fugitive" what it was.

JasonN2 9/4/09 Reply