1. Will Smith – Neo in The Matrix
In 1998, Will Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix, opting instead to star in Wild Wild West. He later revealed that he didn’t “get” the Wachowskis’ pitch and felt unprepared for Neo’s weighty, sci‑fi mystique. Smith himself admitted he “was not mature enough as an actor” and thought he might “mess it up,” reflecting that Keanu Reeves was perhaps the better match. If Smith had taken the part, his immense charisma could’ve carried the role, but might’ve overshadowed the film’s philosophical core. Keanu’s quieter presence allowed the story’s mystery and revolutionary themes to breathe. Ultimately, many agree the right actor emerged: Reeves’ portrayal helped solidify The Matrix as a cultural milestone. Smith’s regret remains genuine, he even nods to it in his 2025 music video Beautiful Scars, where he plays Neo in a tongue-in-cheek homage.
2. Matt Damon – Jake Sully in Avatar
James Cameron initially offered Matt Damon the role of Jake Sully in 2009’s Avatar, complete with a contract granting him 10 % of the box office gross, potentially earning him around $250 million. Damon declined, citing his commitment to filming The Bourne Ultimatum. Even afterwards, he called walking away from such a massive payday “the dumbest thing an actor ever did”. Had Damon played Sully, the presence of a high‑profile star might have shifted focus away from the immersive story and Pandora’s world. Instead, newcomer Sam Worthington brought a grounded, authentic quality Cameron wanted for the audience’s connection. In retrospect, most agree this was fortunate, Avatar became a groundbreaking, record‑shattering success without Damon’s star power dominating the role.
3. Sean Connery – Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings
Though never officially offered, Sean Connery was once considered for Gandalf before passing because he didn’t “get the script”. Had he taken it, his regal Scottish gravitas might’ve made Gandalf feel more austere and less warm. Connery brought authority to every role, but some argue he may have lacked the whimsical, fatherly charm that Tolkien demanded for the wizard. Sir Ian McKellen, who did take the part, delivered a performance that balanced power with warmth, mischief, and vulnerability, qualities essential to Gandalf’s magic. His portrayal won widespread acclaim and is now seen as definitive. As a result, many feel the casting choice was spot-on, giving Middle‑earth a wizard both awe-inspiring and endearing.
4. Dougray Scott – Wolverine in X‑Men
Scott was cast as Wolverine in the original X‑Men film but suffered an injury during Mission: Impossible II that forced him to withdraw. The role went to Hugh Jackman, who brought a perfect blend of physical grit, emotional depth, and enduring charm that powered the mutant to film stardom. Scott may have delivered a tough, brooding Logan, but Jackman turned Wolverine into an icon. His heartfelt portrayal spanned 17 years and multiple films, transforming a cult comic character into a mainstream legend. In hindsight, the switch proved serendipitous: Jackman’s commitment and performance defined X‑Men for a generation.
5. Eric Stoltz – Marty McFly in Back to the Future
Eric Stoltz began filming as Marty McFly, but after five weeks, the production team realized his dramatic performance didn’t fit the film’s comedic tone. They recast Michael J. Fox, whose natural humor and lighthearted energy completely changed the vibe, and arguably the destiny, of the film. If Stoltz had stayed, Back to the Future might have felt more serious, less whimsical. Fox brought a playful curiosity and timing that turned Marty into a beloved hero of time travel. Fans and critics overwhelmingly agree Fox was the right call, it became one of the most beloved comedies of the 1980s, cementing its legacy thanks to his performance.
6. Travolta – Forrest Gump
John Travolta was offered the role of Forrest Gump but passed, choosing Pulp Fiction instead. He later admitted missing out, though he never regretted Pulp Fiction, he acknowledged that Tom Hanks brought a pure-hearted innocence that became iconic. Critics point out that Hanks’ portrayal was central to the film’s emotional resonance and Oscar success. Had Travolta taken the part, his suave, polished persona might have reshaped the character into something different, less grounded, less childlike. Hanks, however, offered that plain-spoken earnestness, making the character universally relatable. In retrospect, the right actor emerged, and yes, Tom Hanks earned the Academy Award, and the place in pop-culture history.
7. Henry Winkler – Grease
At the height of Happy Days, Henry Winkler turned down Danny Zuko in Grease because he feared being typecast and admitted he wasn’t much of a singer. He later joked how “dumb” he felt about missing out but noted his own concern: he had already been “the greaser.”Travolta’s swagger and voice fit perfectly for Zuko, earning him a Golden Globe nomination. Winkler’s instinct helped him avoid stagnation, but the role found its iconic owner. Travolta’s performance became a musical touchstone, and for Winkler, avoiding typecast didn’t mean missing the right actor.
8. Gwyneth Paltrow – Titanic’s Rose
Gwyneth Paltrow was in the running to play Rose in Titanic but declined, and reportedly missed out on around $2 million. She’s said she holds no regret, letting Kate Winslet shape the role with emotional depth and timeless chemistry with DiCaprio. Had Paltrow accepted, her classically cool style might’ve steered Rose in a different direction, perhaps more polished, less raw. Kate Winslet, however, captured vulnerability and defiance in a way that resonated worldwide. Many agree the right performer took the helm, making it one of cinema’s greatest romances.
9. Emily Blunt – Black Widow in IM2
In 2009, Emily Blunt was Marvel’s first pick for Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2, but obligations to Gulliver’s Travels conflicted. She later called it “heartbreaking”, but Scarlett Johansson stepped in and helped fuel a multi-film arc across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Blunt would’ve brought grit and intensity to the role, Johansson owned it, bringing charm, darkness, and continuity across the franchise. Her Black Widow became an anchor for the Avengers and eventually starred in her own stand-alone film. It seems the right actor landed the role and shaped it into something far bigger.
10. Bette Midler – Sister Act Nun
Bette Midler passed on Sister Act (1992), famously saying she worried her fans didn’t want to see her in a nun’s habit, she admitted, “I was afraid of the costume”. Even Disney boss Jeffrey Katzenberg pursued her, but Midler stood firm. She respected Whoopi Goldberg’s success in the role, praising that Goldberg “wore it all the way to the bank”. Had Midler accepted the part, the tone might’ve leaned more Broadway-glam than street-wise fun, shifting the movie’s playful comic energy. Instead, Goldberg’s grounded, witty charisma carried the film and helped it earn up to $300 million globally. The role was a perfect fit for Goldberg’s comedic intensity and emotional range, proving the right actor came along in the end.
11. Paul Shaffer – Seinfeld’s George Costanza
Paul Shaffer, best known as David Letterman’s bandleader, was reportedly offered the role of George Costanza on Seinfeld but never returned the call from Jerry Seinfeld. In hindsight, Shaffer’s musical sensibility didn’t translate into the neurotic comedic depth the character demanded. He admitted the decision was brief, but it shaped the casting path. Jason Alexander ultimately won the part, delivering a neurotic, self-deprecating persona that resonated deeply with audiences. Alexander’s timing and offbeat delivery made George a cultural icon, and nearly every fan agrees he embodied the role’s anxious charm. Shaffer’s choice opened the door for a performance now considered legendary.
12. Burt Reynolds – James Bond
Burt Reynolds turned down James Bond in the early 1970s, believing Americans couldn’t play Bond and later admitting he lacked self-confidence to take it on. He acknowledged in interviews he “thought no American could possibly play James Bond” and later confessed regret, lamenting it might have been a role he could’ve nailed. Had Reynolds accepted, his rugged charm might have redefined the role with American swagger, but the producers felt Bond should remain British. Instead, Roger Moore assumed the role, maintaining the suave, quintessentially British persona long associated with the franchise. Though Reynolds had the star power, Moore’s refined cool proved the right choice for 007’s enduring legacy.
This story 12 Stars Who Turned Down Iconic Roles, But What If They Didn’t? was first published on Daily FETCH
