"That actor was almost cast as..." - Blu-ray Forum

DisneyBlu · 03-29-2014, 04:43 AM

We've all read stories of actors that were almost cast as a certain role -- which ones are you glad didn't happen? Which ones do you think might have worked, had they happened?

One that comes to mind is Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man in the Raimi movies. I thought Tobey was pretty good; a little "soft" at times, but I could see Jake in those movies. I don't think he'd have been a bad choice at all.

While I'm on Spider-Man, ones I'm glad didn't happen:

- Leo DiCaprio (Raimi). Love Leo, but he wouldn't have been right at all. Same for Freddie Prinze Jr. or Heath Ledger.

- Michael Angarano, Josh Hutcherson, Jamie Bell were all considered for The Amazing Spider-Man... IMO, none would have fit. Especially Hutcherson. Guy is too short, and his jaw is too square. I think Garfield was the best choice. I remember Logan Lerman was up for the role, haven't seen him act in much, but look-wise he comes pretty close. He might have been good had Garfield not nabbed it.

Also, I saw Cillian Murphy's screen test for Bruce/Batman in Batman Begins. Did not work at all, but he ended up being perfect for Scarecrow. Same goes for Tom Hiddleston; he auditioned for Thor, didn't fit at all, and ended up being cast as Loki which he pulls off perfectly.

Feel free to list "castings that almost were" for any film from any time period.

chris_sc77 · 03-29-2014, 04:47 AM

Bill Murray was almost cast as Batman in the 1989 film.
Would be interesting that's for sure.

Warren Beatty was almost Bill in kill Bill.

Will Smith was almost Django. Thank goodness That didn't happen

Al_The_Strange · 03-29-2014, 04:47 AM

Sam Neill was almost cast as James Bond for The Living Daylights. As much as I like the actor, I'm not sure how well he would have pulled it off.

King Troll · 03-29-2014, 04:48 AM

Sacha baron Cohen as Freddie mercury

See u at da party! · 03-29-2014, 04:49 AM

Well the one right off the top of my head is OJ Simpson was the original choice of the studio to play The Terminator in the first film. Thankfully James Cameron talked them into casting Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role.

BobbyMcGee · 03-29-2014, 04:50 AM

Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes (1968). He did the test screening in ape make-up but pulled out of the film because he did not want to deal with the amount of time it would take to put the make-up on each day. Also, he was an older man in poor health. But he sounded and looked cool in the test screening and I think he would have done a wonderful job in the role, even though Maurice Evans was wonderful in the role as well.

All of this is in the Behind the Planet of the Apes Documentary on the Blu-ray disc for the film. It is a wonderful and informative documentary.

Visco. · 03-29-2014, 04:52 AM

I never knew Jake was was up for Spider-Man? I knew James Franco did. I guess his screen tests didn't work well either.

I know Fincher REALLY wanted Natalie Portman for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo but thank god that didn't happen (even though I love her to death).

I don't know if she ever auditioned but I think Shailene Woodley would have made a great Katniss.

chris_sc77 · 03-29-2014, 04:54 AM

Shielene Woodley in amazing Spider man 2.
We dodged a bullet with this one. That would have been bad.

Liam neeson as Lincoln.

Galactus · 03-29-2014, 04:56 AM

Robert Di Nero and Nick Cage were almost cast as Doc Ock.
Sean Connery was almost cast as Gandalf.
Tom Cruse was almost cast as Tony Stark.

remake · 03-29-2014, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visco.

I don't know if she ever auditioned but I think Shailene Woodley would have made a great Katniss.

Chloë Grace Moretz, Mary Mouser, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Lyndsy Fonseca, Jodelle Ferland, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Roberts, Kaya Scodelario, Emily Browning and Shailene Woodley were considered to play Katniss. -- IMDB trivia.

remake · 03-29-2014, 05:08 AM

Ashley Greene almost got the role of Jill Roberts in Scream 4. Thank God she didn't. Luckily she has already faded into obscurity.

Michael Copon was considered for Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, replacing Taylor Lautner. Thank God Lautner got buff.

jabbercash · 03-29-2014, 05:22 AM

Leonardo DiCaprio as Hans Landa....that would've been bad.

spanky87 · 03-29-2014, 05:28 AM

A well known one is Winona Ryder playing Mary Corleone in Godfather part 3.

She actually was cast but dropped out at the last minute due to illness. Now I can barely watch that film knowing what could have been instead of that atrocity in Sofia Coppola that we ended up with.

spanky87 · 03-29-2014, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyBlu

While I'm on Spider-Man, ones I'm glad didn't happen:

- Leo DiCaprio (Raimi). Love Leo, but he wouldn't have been right at all. Same for Freddie Prinze Jr. or Heath Ledger.

This was actually James Cameron who wanted DiCaprio to play Spiderman in his version. He revealed on Howard Stern that they got into serious discussions on the set of Titanic and DiCaprio was Cameron's number one pick for the role.

Then Raimi got the gig.

Spidey Blu · 03-29-2014, 05:51 AM

Mike Myers as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo.

LegacyCosts · 03-29-2014, 06:01 AM

Matthew Broderick was considered for Walter White. Thank God that didn't transpire.

EricJ · 03-29-2014, 06:13 AM

- Mary Poppins, with Bette Davis and Danny Kaye
- Star Wars, with William "Greatest American Hero" Katt, Cindy Williams, Kurt Russell and Toshiro Mifune
- Star Trek V, with Sean Connery
- Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, directed by Gary "Hunger Games" Ross, starring Nicolas Cage

DisneyBlu · 03-29-2014, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visco.

I never knew Jake was was up for Spider-Man? I knew James Franco did. I guess his screen tests didn't work well either.

From IMDb:

Quote:

Was set to play Spider-Man in Spider-Man 2 (2004) due to Tobey Maguire having injured his back while filming Seabiscuit. While Gyllenhaal was preparing for the role, Tobey recovered to reprise his role as Spider-Man.

That's also why the "my back, my back" joke is in Spider-Man 2.

Quote:

This was actually James Cameron who wanted DiCaprio to play Spiderman in his version. He revealed on Howard Stern that they got into serious discussions on the set of Titanic and DiCaprio was Cameron's number one pick for the role.

Great actor, completely wrong for Spidey. Cameron also wanted Schwarzenegger for Doc Ock. I read Cameron's script for his Spider-Man movie... and it was terrible. Lots of swearing, Spidey and MJ have Spidey-sex on top of a bridge... lots of atrocities were avoided with that movie not being made.

Great posts, everyone.

frogmort · 03-29-2014, 06:56 AM

Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones.

chris_sc77 · 03-29-2014, 06:59 AM

Sarah Jessica Parker was almost cast in Seabiscuit.

03-29-2014, 04:43 AM	#1
DisneyBlu Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2011 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:212	"That actor was almost cast as..." We've all read stories of actors that were almost cast as a certain role -- which ones are you glad didn't happen? Which ones do you think might have worked, had they happened? One that comes to mind is Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man in the Raimi movies. I thought Tobey was pretty good; a little "soft" at times, but I could see Jake in those movies. I don't think he'd have been a bad choice at all. While I'm on Spider-Man, ones I'm glad didn't happen: - Leo DiCaprio (Raimi). Love Leo, but he wouldn't have been right at all. Same for Freddie Prinze Jr. or Heath Ledger. - Michael Angarano, Josh Hutcherson, Jamie Bell were all considered for The Amazing Spider-Man... IMO, none would have fit. Especially Hutcherson. Guy is too short, and his jaw is too square. I think Garfield was the best choice. I remember Logan Lerman was up for the role, haven't seen him act in much, but look-wise he comes pretty close. He might have been good had Garfield not nabbed it. Also, I saw Cillian Murphy's screen test for Bruce/Batman in Batman Begins. Did not work at all, but he ended up being perfect for Scarecrow. Same goes for Tom Hiddleston; he auditioned for Thor, didn't fit at all, and ended up being cast as Loki which he pulls off perfectly. Feel free to list "castings that almost were" for any film from any time period.

03-29-2014, 04:47 AM	#2
chris_sc77 Banned Member since:Feb 2012 Location:OH Blu-ray collection:1345 DVD collection:4285 Digital collection:144 Trading Score:777	Bill Murray was almost cast as Batman in the 1989 film. Would be interesting that's for sure. Warren Beatty was almost Bill in kill Bill. Will Smith was almost Django. Thank goodness That didn't happen Last edited by chris_sc77; 03-29-2014 at 04:49 AM.

03-29-2014, 05:22 AM	#12
jabbercash Power Member Member since:Mar 2014 Blu-ray collection:250 DVD collection:264 Trading Score:1	Leonardo DiCaprio as Hans Landa....that would've been bad. Last edited by jabbercash; 04-05-2014 at 04:41 AM.

03-29-2014, 04:47 AM	#3
Al_The_Strange Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Out there...past them trees... Home Theater Gallery:126 4K collection:1140 Blu-ray collection:4960 DVD collection:530 Digital collection:1013 Blu-ray reviews: 132 Trading Score:32	Sam Neill was almost cast as James Bond for The Living Daylights. As much as I like the actor, I'm not sure how well he would have pulled it off.

03-29-2014, 04:48 AM	#4
King Troll Banned Member since:Jun 2012 Blu-ray collection:686 Trading Score:127	Sacha baron Cohen as Freddie mercury

03-29-2014, 04:49 AM	#5
See u at da party! Senior Member Member since:Sep 2011 Location:Michigan 4K collection:25 Blu-ray collection:622	Well the one right off the top of my head is OJ Simpson was the original choice of the studio to play The Terminator in the first film. Thankfully James Cameron talked them into casting Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role.

03-29-2014, 04:50 AM	#6
BobbyMcGee Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:500 Blu-ray collection:4495 Trading Score:361	Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes (1968). He did the test screening in ape make-up but pulled out of the film because he did not want to deal with the amount of time it would take to put the make-up on each day. Also, he was an older man in poor health. But he sounded and looked cool in the test screening and I think he would have done a wonderful job in the role, even though Maurice Evans was wonderful in the role as well. All of this is in the Behind the Planet of the Apes Documentary on the Blu-ray disc for the film. It is a wonderful and informative documentary.

03-29-2014, 04:52 AM	#7
Visco. Blu-ray Knight Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Columbus, Ohio Blu-ray collection:662 DVD collection:24 Prime collection:1 Trading Score:36	I never knew Jake was was up for Spider-Man? I knew James Franco did. I guess his screen tests didn't work well either. I know Fincher REALLY wanted Natalie Portman for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo but thank god that didn't happen (even though I love her to death). I don't know if she ever auditioned but I think Shailene Woodley would have made a great Katniss.

03-29-2014, 04:54 AM	#8
chris_sc77 Banned Member since:Feb 2012 Location:OH Blu-ray collection:1345 DVD collection:4285 Digital collection:144 Trading Score:777	Shielene Woodley in amazing Spider man 2. We dodged a bullet with this one. That would have been bad. Liam neeson as Lincoln.

03-29-2014, 04:56 AM	#9
Galactus Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Pillars of Creation Blu-ray collection:60 Trading Score:31	Robert Di Nero and Nick Cage were almost cast as Doc Ock. Sean Connery was almost cast as Gandalf. Tom Cruse was almost cast as Tony Stark.

03-29-2014, 05:08 AM	#11
remake Banned Member since:Aug 2011 Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:160	Ashley Greene almost got the role of Jill Roberts in Scream 4. Thank God she didn't. Luckily she has already faded into obscurity. Michael Copon was considered for Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, replacing Taylor Lautner. Thank God Lautner got buff.

03-29-2014, 05:28 AM	#13
spanky87 Blu-ray Baron Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:34 4K collection:168 Blu-ray collection:2714 DVD collection:548 iTunes collection:58 Trading Score:64	A well known one is Winona Ryder playing Mary Corleone in Godfather part 3. She actually was cast but dropped out at the last minute due to illness. Now I can barely watch that film knowing what could have been instead of that atrocity in Sofia Coppola that we ended up with.

03-29-2014, 05:51 AM	#15
Spidey Blu Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2009 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:250 DVD collection:247 Trading Score:63	Mike Myers as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo.

03-29-2014, 06:01 AM	#16
LegacyCosts Blu-ray Knight Member since:Oct 2013 Location:Chicago 4K collection:177 Blu-ray collection:452 Trading Score:20	Matthew Broderick was considered for Walter White. Thank God that didn't transpire.

03-29-2014, 06:13 AM	#17
EricJ Banned Member since:Jul 2007 Location:The Paradise of New England Blu-ray collection:6	- Mary Poppins, with Bette Davis and Danny Kaye - Star Wars, with William "Greatest American Hero" Katt, Cindy Williams, Kurt Russell and Toshiro Mifune - Star Trek V, with Sean Connery - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, directed by Gary "Hunger Games" Ross, starring Nicolas Cage

03-29-2014, 06:56 AM	#19
frogmort Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Frogmorton Blu-ray collection:- Blu-ray reviews:27	Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones.

03-29-2014, 06:59 AM	#20
chris_sc77 Banned Member since:Feb 2012 Location:OH Blu-ray collection:1345 DVD collection:4285 Digital collection:144 Trading Score:777	Sarah Jessica Parker was almost cast in Seabiscuit.

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