1.
Nicole Kidman wasn’t “well known enough” or “talented enough” (in her phrases) to be forged reverse Hugh Grant within the 1999 movie Notting Hill — regardless of “really wanting” it and having been within the business for 16 years, starring in movies resembling Batman Forever and Practical Magic.
2.
In distinction, Harry Styles was thought of for this yr’s Elvis biopic however wasn’t forged as a result of Baz Luhrmann felt that “he’s Harry Styles; he’s already an icon.”
3.
Singer Tom Jones was equally thought of for the function of James Bond at one level, however producer Cubby Broccoli apparently determined that Jones was too recognizable in his personal proper as a “singer with a big character,” asking, “Would people accept him as being James Bond? Could they get past him being Tom Jones?”
4.
Jim Carrey was as soon as thought of for the function of Buzz Lightyear in 1995’s Toy Story, however in accordance to Joss Whedon, who labored on the film’s script, “Disney put the kibosh on the person they wanted for Buzz Lightyear because he wasn’t famous enough, so we couldn’t use Jim Carrey.” Carrey’s fame skyrocketed in 1994 due to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dumb and Dumber, and The Mask, however these had not but been launched on the time of casting.
5.
Tobey Maguire was reduce from Life of Pi forward of its launch, with the director, Ang Lee, saying he “decided to go with an entirely international cast.” However, sources reported that it was as a result of he was “too famous” for the small function, particularly in a movie with out big stars past Maguire. Rafe Spall, who’s British, reshot the function.
6.
Charlize Theron was not “well known enough at the time” to be forged because the lead in Showgirls. The function went to Elizabeth Berkley as an alternative, who was largely recognized for Saved by the Bell. The movie bombed and tanked Elizabeth Berkley’s profession, whereas Theron went on to win an Oscar and change into a significant star, so perhaps that was for the perfect.
7.
Lionsgate apparently felt that Christian Bale wasn’t well-known sufficient to play the lead function in American Psycho, and as an alternative forged Leonardo DiCaprio because the lead. (To be honest, Bale had starred in movies like Little Women and Newsies, however he was nowhere close to DiCaprio at his then-post-Titanic-stage fame.) Luckily, DiCaprio left the venture, and the unique author/director (Mary Harron) who had pushed for Bale was introduced again on, and the remaining is historical past.
8.
In one other instance the place the movie ended up with the “not famous enough” actor, Christopher Plummer was reportedly initially thought of for All the Money within the World, however the studio wished an even bigger title, in order that they went with Kevin Spacey. In the wake of the sexual assault allegations towards Spacey, Plummer stepped again in and shot his scenes in 9 days. He was nominated for an Oscar for his efficiency.
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And in one more comparable instance, Mark Ruffalo was nearly forged because the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk as an alternative of Edward Norton — however in accordance with the director Louis Leterrier, Marvel advised him to forged Norton “because he’s more famous.” Ruffalo would go on to exchange Norton within the function in The Avengers and all different Marvel movies.
10.
Gal Gadot says she was “never big enough of a name” for a bunch of various high-profile initiatives previous to Wonder Woman. “They always need someone…It was always me and ‘the big name,'” she added, saying she’d make it to the display take a look at earlier than being dropped. One rejection was for the function of Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. The function as an alternative went to Charlize Theron.
11.
Dustin Hoffman was too recognizable to be in The Elephant Man. One of the producers, Jonathan Sanger, identified, “We’re always going to be looking to see where the Elephant Man ends and Dustin Hoffman begins.'” The function went to John Hurt, who had been performing for 18 years however was not on the stage of fame of Hoffman, who had simply appeared in Kramer vs. Kramer (for which he received an Oscar), and had after all starred in The Graduate over a decade earlier.
12.
Carey Mulligan was apparently advised in 2010 that she wasn’t well-known sufficient to cameo on Glee. She’d starred in movies like Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and The Greatest. This was throughout Season 2 of Glee, which noticed celebs like Britney Spears, Katie Couric, and Gwyneth Paltrow visitor star.
13.
In distinction, Carla Gugino says Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner advised her she was “too famous” to star in Mad Men, and that he did not wish to “hire anyone whose renown might detract from her ability to disappear into the role.”
14.
Larry David reportedly felt that Richard Kind was “too famous” for Curb Your Enthusiasm — however on this case, Kind was in a position to persuade him he wasn’t, and ended up on the present.
15.
Fox reportedly wished an even bigger star for Office Space, like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon. Writer/director Mike Judge pushed again and obtained Ron Livingston (who wasn’t well-known on the time) forged.
16.
The studio then insisted the feminine lead be a significant star, which led to Jennifer Aniston (throughout her days on Friends) being forged. However, they at first frightened she was really “too famous” for the function, because it was “smaller.”
17.
Similarly, Beasts of No Nation author/director Cary Joji Fukunaga thought Idris Elba may be “too famous” to need a function in his movie. He had set out solely desirous to forged non-actors. Elba was nominated for a Golden Globe and received a SAG award for his work on the movie.
18.
La Vie en Rose director Olivier Dahan at all times wished Marion Cotillard to play the singer Édith Piaf, however confronted some resistance as “some of the film’s financiers didn’t find her physically similar enough to Piaf, or famous enough regarding the budget. They wanted someone more famous for a large audience,” in accordance with Dahan. In truth, financiers then apparently reduce down their spending, and Dahan discovered how one can make the movie with much less cash so they may hold Cotillard. She received an Oscar for the function.
19.
And lastly, Oprah auditioned to be in Doubt however misplaced out on the function as a result of director John Patrick Shanley apparently mentioned, “It wasn’t lengthy sufficient [of a scene] to lose the Oprah issue.” The function went to Viola Davis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Mrs. Miller.