1. Al Pacino Turned Down Han Solo in Star Wars
Al Pacino was hot off The Godfather when he was offered the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. But he didn’t understand the script and said no. “I gave that boy a career,” he joked years later, referring to Harrison Ford, in an interview with People. Ford went on to become one of the most recognized stars of all time. Pacino kept to dramas and crime films, carving out a legendary path of his own. Still, the idea of a slightly grittier Han Solo with Pacino’s fire is enough to spark fan curiosity to this day.
2. John Travolta Turned Down Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump
John Travolta had the opportunity to play Forrest Gump but turned it down. Tom Hanks took the role and won an Oscar for it. Travolta later admitted, “That was a mistake,” during a conversation with MTV. While Travolta went on to earn praise for Pulp Fiction, the gentle, layered role of Forrest could have showcased a different side of him. Hanks brought a quiet soulfulness to the part that touched audiences worldwide. Sometimes it’s not just about who gets the part, but when and why. For Travolta, the timing wasn’t right, and a defining role slipped through.
3. Burt Reynolds Turned Down Boogie Nights & Many More
Burt Reynolds famously turned down some of the most iconic roles in film history, including Han Solo in Star Wars, James Bond, Michael Corleone in The Godfather, and the lead in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He also passed on major parts in Pretty Woman, Taxi Driver, and Die Hard, decisions he later admitted to regretting. Perhaps most ironically, Reynolds initially declined the role of Jack Horner in Boogie Nights due to discomfort with the subject matter, allowing Mark Wahlberg to take the lead. Reynolds eventually joined the cast as Horner and earned an Oscar nomination for the role—but despite the critical acclaim, he reportedly disliked the experience so much he fired his agent afterward. It was a rare moment when career revival came with personal ambivalence, capping a long list of iconic roles that could have changed his legacy even further.
4. Will Smith Turned Down Neo in The Matrix
Right after Men in Black, Will Smith was Hollywood’s golden boy. So, when the Wachowskis pitched The Matrix, he said no and chose Wild Wild West instead. He later admitted, “I would have messed it up” in a YouTube video. Smith didn’t grasp the sci-fi concept at the time, so Keanu Reeves took the lead and gave us a cooler, quieter Neo that fans embraced. Smith’s charm could’ve taken the film in a totally different direction, but even he agrees Reeves was the better fit. Still, it’s hard not to imagine what The Matrix would’ve looked like with his swagger.
5. Gwen Stefani Turned Down Jane Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Back when Mr. & Mrs. Smith was in the works, Gwen Stefani was in serious talks to play the female lead. She told Howard Stern she auditioned multiple times and almost got it. Eventually, scheduling and music commitments got in the way. The part went to Angelina Jolie, who starred opposite Brad Pitt and helped ignite a very public romance. The film was a hit, and their real-life chemistry made headlines for years. Gwen kept soaring in music, but that one role could’ve added a new layer to her career. It’s a rare peek into a road not taken.
6. Tom Selleck Turned Down Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark
Tom Selleck was cast as Indiana Jones. The tests were done, Spielberg was happy, and the gig was his. But CBS wouldn’t let him out of his Magnum P.I. contract, so he had to walk away. Harrison Ford was called in, and the rest became movie legend. Selleck admitted it hurt, calling it one of his biggest career disappointments. Ford turned Indy into one of cinema’s most iconic characters, while Selleck stayed a TV star. It’s one of those classic Hollywood what-ifs where timing and contracts change the game. Still, fans occasionally imagine Selleck cracking that whip just once.
7. Sean Connery Turned Down Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings
Sean Connery was offered Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings with a massive payout reportedly worth up to $400 million. He passed, saying, “I never understood the script,” according to The Scotsman. The part went to Ian McKellen, who became the face of fantasy for a generation. Connery’s voice and presence might have brought something different to the role, but his confusion about the plot kept him from committing. McKellen embraced the magic and helped turn the trilogy into a cultural landmark. For Connery, it was a missed fortune and a fantasy legacy that slipped through his hands.
8. Michelle Pfeiffer Turned Down Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs
Michelle Pfeiffer was offered Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs but turned it down because the script felt too dark. She told Entertainment Weekly it was “too evil,” and that discomfort made her walk away. The role then went to Jodie Foster, who gave a haunting performance and won an Academy Award. The film became a psychological thriller classic, and Foster’s portrayal remains one of the genre’s gold standards. Pfeiffer went on to star in many iconic roles, but this one might have added a different shade to her career. Sometimes even great actors pass for peace of mind.
9. Matt Damon Turned Down Jake Sully in Avatar
Matt Damon was offered the lead in Avatar with 10 percent of the film’s profits. That choice ended up costing him around $250 million. He said no because he was busy finishing the Bourne trilogy. In a GQ interview, Damon joked, “You will never meet an actor who turned down more money.” James Cameron went with Sam Worthington instead, and the movie became the highest-grossing film at the time. Damon still has a stellar career, but fans can’t help imagining him navigating Pandora. He laughed off the loss, but the math alone makes this one of Hollywood’s priciest rejections.
10. Emily Blunt Turned Down Black Widow in Iron Man 2
Before Scarlett Johansson put on the Black Widow suit, Emily Blunt had the first shot. She was offered the role in Iron Man 2, but due to scheduling conflicts with Gulliver’s Travels, she had to decline. In an interview with The Independent, she called it “the worst decision of my life.” Blunt has since carved out a strong action resume, but Black Widow became one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. Johansson brought depth and strength to the role across multiple films. For Blunt, it was a scheduling hiccup that rerouted her superhero destiny before it could even begin.
11. Eric Stoltz Was Replaced as Marty McFly in Back to the Future
Eric Stoltz didn’t just audition for Back to the Future, he filmed for five weeks. But producers felt something was off. They wanted more humor, more spark, and eventually replaced him with Michael J. Fox. It was a tough call, but it shaped the film into the classic we know today. Stoltz went on to have a steady career, but this near miss remains one of Hollywood’s most famous recastings. Crew members described his approach as too serious for the tone they needed. Fox brought the lightness and likability that made Marty McFly a timeless icon. Stoltz just wasn’t the right fit.
12. Nicolas Cage Turned Down Neo and Aragorn in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings
Nicolas Cage turned down not one but two iconic fantasy roles. He was offered both Neo in The Matrix and Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. In an interview with ABC News, Cage said he passed because he couldn’t leave his son for the long filming commitments. He added, “There were times in my life when I just couldn’t take the time.” Though he stands by the decision, fans still imagine his eccentric energy in those roles. Cage stayed busy with films like National Treasure, but skipping both franchises left a lasting what-if in his already unique filmography.
13. Christina Applegate Turned Down Elle Woods in Legally Blonde
Christina Applegate had just wrapped Married… with Children when she was offered the lead in Legally Blonde. Fearing typecasting, she turned it down. She later told ET she didn’t want to play another ditzy blonde. The role went to Reese Witherspoon, who made Elle Woods both charming and sharp. The film became a cultural touchstone and launched a franchise. Applegate went on to have a great career in comedy and drama, but the Elle Woods moment could’ve been hers. She admitted it was a regret, especially after seeing the impact the movie had on young women everywhere.
14. Dougray Scott Lost Wolverine in X-Men
Dougray Scott had already been cast as Wolverine when production delays on Mission: Impossible II got in the way. He had no choice but to step down. Hugh Jackman stepped in and became the face of the X-Men franchise for the next 17 years. Scott told The Telegraph it wasn’t his decision and that he was disappointed. Jackman made the role iconic, blending rugged action with surprising emotional depth. Scott continued acting but never reached that level of stardom. In a way, it was a perfect case of one actor’s schedule becoming another’s golden opportunity to shine.
15. Hilary Swank Nearly Turned Down Maggie in Million Dollar Baby
Hilary Swank nearly turned down Million Dollar Baby because of the intense training required. She told Today she didn’t think she could get in shape in time. But after accepting the challenge, she trained hard and delivered a powerful performance that earned her a second Oscar. Clint Eastwood’s quiet direction paired with her commitment turned the film into an emotional knockout. Sometimes the best rewards come from risks we’re scared to take. Swank’s hesitation became a lesson in trusting your strength. Not every actor gets a second chance at greatness, but she made hers count beautifully.
This story 15 Famous Actors Who Turned Down Legendary Roles and Still Regret It was first published on Daily FETCH
