Stars Who Rejected Iconic Roles
There are certain fictional characters that we can’t even imagine being played by someone else other than our favorite actors. But what if we tell you your favorite stars had turned down the very roles that made them so beloved? Read on to find out who these celebs are.
Jenna Ortega In Wednesday
Reportedly, Jenna Ortega initially turned down the role of Wednesday Addams in Wednesday to focus on film work. However, she changed her mind after a phone call with Tim Burton. The role led to widespread recognition and her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress.
Wednesday Addams | Official Teaser | Netflix by Netflix
Glen Powell In Top Gun: Maverick
Glen Powell almost turned down the role of Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick after missing out on Rooster to Miles Teller. Tom Cruise and director Joe Kosinski made changes to the character based on Powell’s suggestions, ensuring it fits the original film's story and vibe.
Top Gun: Maverick | HANGMAN (2022 Movie) - Glen Powell by Paramount Pictures
Ryan Gosling In Barbie
While Ryan Gosling never officially said no to playing the role of Ken in Barbie, he was reportedly very hesitant in accepting the role. Greta Gerwig, the director and writer, and Margot Robbie kept pursuing him until he agreed to the role, which bagged him an Oscar nomination.
Barbie | Main Trailer by Warner Bros. Pictures
Richard Harris In Harry Potter
Richard Harris turned down playing Dumbledore several times in the Harry Potter movies. He initially refused the role because he felt that was not how he wanted to spend the final years of his life. His granddaughter eventually persuaded him to accept the role.
Albus Dumbledore Scenes (Harry Potter) 1080p by Evelyn Jackson
Ariana DeBose In West Side Story
Casting director Cindy Tolan claims that Ariana DeBose refused four times to show up for the audition for the character of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Ultimately, Ariana played the role of Anita, which got her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
West Side Story | Anita Tells The Jets What Happened To Maria | HBO Max by Max
Ellen Pompeo In Grey's Anatomy
Initially, Ellen Pompeo was unsure about joining Grey's Anatomy. However, she didn’t want to get stuck on a TV show after starring in films such as Catch Me If You Can and Old School. In the end, her agent persuaded her to audition and film the pilot.
Meredith and Addison Talk About Derek - Grey's Anatomy by ABC
Chris Evans In Captain America
This one would have hurt, for sure, because Chris Evans was hesitant to take on the role of Captain America when Marvel first approached him. His mom shared that he worried about losing his privacy and becoming too famous. Though she let him decide, she encouraged him. It worked.
Elevator Fight Scene - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Movie CLIP HD by TopMovieClips
Rachel Zegler In The Hunger Games
Rachel Zegler was personally offered Lucy Gray Baird’s character by director Francis Lawrence in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes without even auditioning. However, she initially said no because filming overseas meant being away from her family for a long time.
Amanda Seyfried In The Dropout
At first, Amanda Seyfried turned down the role of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout because filming in Los Angeles meant she would be away from her family. After discussing it with loved ones, she quickly changed her mind and called her agents the next day.
The Dropout | Trailer | Hulu by Hulu
Laurence Fishburne In What's Love Got to Do with It
Laurence Fishburne admitted that he rejected the role of Ike Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It five times before finally accepting. On Jemele Hill’s Unbothered podcast, he explained that he wasn’t happy with the Ike’s character in the script.
Angela Bassett as Tina Turner: What's Love Got To Do With It (Divorce Court) by Celeb Bug
Ambika Mod In One Day
Rising star Ambika Mod from One Day said she rejected the audition several times. Speaking with Elle, she revealed that she initially declined without even reading the script as she believed she wasn't the right fit for the role. She later recognized she made a mistake and reevaluated her decision.
One Day Limited Series Trailer by Rotten Tomatoes TV
Helen McCrory In Peaky Blinders
The late Helen McCrory initially said no to the iconic Aunt Polly character in Peaky Blinders. She stated she first refused the role because she thought the character would be too simple. Later, creator Steven Knight spoke to Helen again and finally convinced her.
Polly Gray's BEST moments ❤️ Peaky Blinders – BBC by BBC
Fantasia Barrino In The Color Purple
When Oprah asked Fantasia Barrino to play Celie in The Color Purple, she first refused. It was director Blitz Bazawule who ultimately persuaded her by sharing his vision for Celie and emphasizing a stronger voice for the character in the new film.
The Color Purple | Official Trailer 3 by Warner Bros. Pictures
Zoe Saldaña In Lioness
For a whole year, Zoe Saldaña declined to play Joe in Lioness, but she eventually accepted the part. She told Entertainment Tonight that she fled like any insecure actor and that she spent a year sabotaging herself. Eventually, she changed her mind and messaged creator Taylor Sheridan.
Lioness | Season 2 Trailer | Paramount+ by Paramount Plus
Elisabeth Moss In The Handmaid’s Tale
The portrayal of June/Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale was initially declined by Elisabeth Moss because she was concerned about being stuck in another television series so soon after Mad Men concluded. Elisabeth, however, eventually realized that she would have been disappointed to see any other actor do the part.
THE HANDMAIDS TALE Season 1 TRAILER (2017) Hulu Series by Series Trailer MP
Matthew Modine In Stranger Things
Matthew Modine opened up about initially passing on starring as Dr Martin Brenner in the superhit show Stranger Things. He told The Guardian that he didn't want to do it. The Duffer brothers insisted the character was important to the story, and after persistent calls, he couldn’t say no.
Al Pacino In The Godfather Part II
The first draft of The Godfather Part II, according to Al Pacino, was so bad that he rejected it multiple times before finally agreeing to star. Producers kept increasing their offers, hoping that he would accept. Finally, Francis Ford Coppola made them realize that Pacino just wanted a good script.
Meeting Between Michael Corleone And Hyman Roth - The Godfather 2 (1974) by MNE Clips
Jet Li In Mulan
Jet Li wasn’t intending to play the Chinese emperor's role in Mulan. He didn’t wish to return to the big screen at all and preferred a quiet family life. However, his daughter Jada eventually convinced him to take the role to promote Chinese culture.
Mulan - Official Lower Your Sword Clip by IGN
Ralph Fiennes In Harry Potter
The character of Voldemort in Harry Potter was almost rejected by Ralph Fiennes because he hadn’t read the books and didn’t understand their appeal. However, his casting director, Mary Selway, and his sister, Martha, convinced him to take this iconic role.
Wizard Battle: Dumbledore vs Voldemort | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Harry Potter
Alan Rickman In Die Hard
The role of Hans Gruber in Die Hard was dismissed by Alan Rickman after he read the script. He didn't want to do action films because he thought this demeaned him as a more serious actor. Producer Joel Silver finally convinced him to take the role.
Die Hard | 30th Anniversary Trailer | 20th Century FOX by 20th Century Studios
Emma Stone In La La Land
Having recently finished another musical, Emma Stone was so worn out that she nearly declined to star in La La Land. However, director Damien Chazelle convinced her to read the script, and she eventually agreed, which led to an Oscar-winning performance.
La La Land (2016) - I Ran Scene (4/11) | Movieclips by Movieclips
Leonardo DiCaprio In Titanic
Reportedly, Leonardo DiCaprio initially turned down the role of Jack Dawson in Titanic during pre-production. He felt playing a leading role in such a big film wasn’t challenging enough for him. However, director James Cameron convinced him that it would be a tough challenge.
Titanic | #TBT Trailer | 20th Century FOX by 20th Century Studios
Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi Role In Star Wars
Initially, Ewan McGregor was not so keen on the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars as he felt it was not a good fit for him and that it would limit his career. He later accepted the role and appreciated his decision.
Obi-Wan Kenobi | Teaser Trailer | Disney+ by Star Wars
Sean Connery In James Bond
Sean Connery had a complex relationship with his role as James Bond, and he even stepped away from the character on several occasions. Regardless of what he thinks, he will remain the definitive Bond actor in the hearts of many.
JAMES BOND - Sean Connery Era. 007. by S.Thomas
Meryl Streep In The Iron Lady
The lead role of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady was almost turned down by Meryl Streep as she disapproved of Thatcher's politics. After a lot of convincing, she agreed to play the character, which won her a third Oscar.
PM Thatcher's ministers are angry with her - The Iron Lady by Fahim Faisal Mahir
