How would you feel if you knew some of your favorite film characters were originally cast using different big-name actors? From your favorite American psycho to the most quintessential of Ghostbusters, let us show you an alternate universe where some of film's best leading roles had different original casts. And for now, let's just be thankful that "Superman Lives" was cancelled, lest we have Nic Cage as the Man of Steel.
John Belushi - "Ghostbusters" (Peter Venkman)
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Dan Aykroyd's original version of the film had Blues Brother, Belushi, as the comedic role opposite of him, but due to his untimely death in 1982, director Ivan Reitman and Aykroyd were forced to recast. Richard Pryor and Bill Murray were the next obvious choices. Funny thing is, Murray's role far exceeded what anybody could've imagined for a young Pete Venkman, and the movie's success more than 30 years ago still rings true today with sequels coming back around. Aykroyd refers to Slimer as the ghost of John Belushi.
Tom Cruise - "The Matrix" (Neo), "Shawshank Redemption" (Andy Dufresne) and "Iron Man"
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Tom Cruise admits to regretting passing the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi classic, which happened to be one of the biggest roles of Keanu Reeves' career. In addition, Cruise & Harrison Ford were Rob Reiner's picks for the leads of Andy Dufresne and Red in "Shawshank Redemption," both award-nominated roles. Frank Darabont, however, refused Reiner's multi-million dollar offer to step down and did the film with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman instead. Cruise was also spearheading Iron Man in hopes to get the character off the ground and gave up just before the franchise took off, casting Robert Downey Jr. instead, one of the now highest paid actors in film. For as great an actor Tom Cruise is, he's missed out on some big roles.
Leonardo DiCaprio - "American Psycho" (Patrick Bateman)
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Mary Harron was set to direct and wanted Christian Bale in the leading role, but when Leo was cast, she walked and Oliver Stone came in to direct. After weighty feminist protests and script problems, both Leo and Stone walked. Harrow came back on to direct and cast Bale. Leo was also set to be the original Peter Parker in "Spider-Man," but Toby Maguire was believed to have that delicate nerd complex needed for the role. As much as we love Leo, both were solid recasts in our eyes.
Bette Midler - "Sister Act" (Mary Clarence)
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The role of Sister Mary Clarence was originally chock full of Jewish jokes, but Midler couldn't picture herself as a nun, and so the role went to Whoopi who got one of her first big leading roles, and the lines were tweaked to fit her personality. The franchise is reportedly getting a reboot as well now. We know you have this film in
your VHS collection.
Chris Farley - "Shrek" (Shrek)
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Normally we wouldn't include animated characters, but it happens to be trending news now that an audio clip surfaced of the late Farley voicing over the monumental animated character, Shrek. Farley had completed nearly all of the voiceover for the first "Shrek" film before his untimely death in 1997, right before he was recast by Mike Myers.
Tom Selleck - "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark" (Indiana Jones)
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Maybe it was
Tom Selleck constantly hiding his erection in "Magnum P.I." that did him in, but more than likely it was the unfortunate timing of the show's pilot, which took Selleck off the list of available actors, forcing George Lucas to cast Harrison Ford, despite some initial reluctance.
Sylvester Stallone - "Beverly Hills Cop" (Axel Foley)
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We love Sly, but one thing is for certain: "Beverly Hills Cop" wouldn't have been nearly as funny if Eddie Murphy hadn't replaced him. Mickey Rourke, James Caan and Al Pacino were all early choices for the role as well, but when Rourke dropped out, Sly moved in and rewrote the script himself as an action role without the funny parts. When the film took a dive, it was rewritten with the funny parts and cast Eddie Murphy, becoming one of his most successful roles in film.
Nicole Kidman - "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (Jane Smith)
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Had it not been for this change in actors, Brad Pitt might still be with Jennifer Aniston, and one of
Hollywood's most famous homewreckers might've not gotten to play lead next to her now husband. That movie is more important to film history and tabloid magazines than anyone realizes. Johnny Depp was also the original Mr. Smith. What an odd couple that would have made for the film! When Pitt heard Kidman dropped out, he almost did too, then hopped back aboard once Jolie was cast.
Marlon Wayans - "Batman Returns" (Robin)
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Although Tim Burton never introduced Robin in his Batman films, the part for Robin was originally set to go to Wayans, which would've given people a nice juxtaposition for Michael Keaton's sidekick. However, there were already more than enough characters in the film between having two villain origin stories. Wayans was already paid but was pushed to the third installment, and when Burton dropped out after the second film, Wayans' offer went away and Chris O'Donnell took up the mantle as the young Boy Wonder.
In addition, Annette Bening was supposed to play Cat Woman, but she got pregnant and wasn't able to perform, opening the opportunity for Michelle Pfieffer instead.
Billy Dee Williams - "Batman Forever" (Two-Face)
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At the same time Wayans was pushed out completely for O'Donnell, Billy Williams was getting pushed out for Tommy Lee Jones. Williams had a clause in his contract while shooting as Harvey Dent in the original "Batman" - the one in your
VHS collection - with the understanding he would later play Two-Face, and when Joel Schumacher took over the franchise after Burton, he paid Williams after recasting him.
Reese Witherspoon- "Gone Girl" (Amy Dunne)
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As soon as David Fincher joined the
book adaptation project, he decided
Reese Witherspoon was not right for the leading lady part, and she agreed with him.
Rosamund Pike went on to earn an Oscar nomination for her role in the film. Having Reese in the film might not have affected the film too much for a lot of people, although it's possibly easier to see Rosamund as a legit sociopath as opposed to the kind-hearted girl - Reese - we've known for decades.
Eric Stoltz -"Back to the Future" (Marty McFly)
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Michael J. Fox couldn't get away from "Family Ties" to film, but four weeks into filming "Back to the Future," Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis declared Eric Stoltz unfit for the role - he even agreed - and as Fox's schedule opened up and allowed him to shoot the movie, he slid right into role of Marty McFly. As far as they're concerned, he was made for the role. Too bad they're considering rebooting the franchise.
Frank Sinatra - "Dirty Harry" (Harry Callahan)
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Sinatra was set to play Harry, hard as that is to imagine, before he hurt his hand. The role then went briefly to Paul Newman and finally Clint Eastwood after some script changes.
Dana Carvey & Jon Lovitz - "Bad Boys" (Det. Mike Lowrey & Marcus Burnett)
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The original "Bad Boys" is 20 years old this year, and with second and third sequels announced to the "Bad Boys" franchise, you have to assume it wouldn't be happening quite the same if Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz had landed those roles. The film was originally named "Bulletproof Hearts" and set to a more comedic tone for the "
Saturday Night Live" actors.
The films instead starred Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in a successful "black" comedy, as opposed to another take on "Beverly Hills Cop" with Carvey and Lovitz, which would likely not be a possible reboot at this point in time. Something tells us Jon Lovitz is not fit for the role needed for these new films on the way in 2017 and 2019.
John Travolta - "Forrest Gump" (Forrest Gump)
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The role of Forrest Gump is easily one of the most unique and difficult roles to play, something Tom Hanks did spectacularly. John Travolta, despite being the original choice, turned down the role. Hanks went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the part, something we're not sure Travolta could've pulled off. He regrets his decision to this day, but we don't.
Robert De Niro - "Big" (Josh Baskin)
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Tom Hanks was originally cast in the role, but due to a full schedule, he had to pass as the studio offered it to De Niro. After a squabble over money with De Niro, Hanks' schedule opened up and he was recast into the role of Josh Baskin. De Niro, however, got the role of Al Capone in "The Untouchables," which was originally promised to Bob Hoskins. You remember Smee from "Hook," don't you? Yeah, that all worked out for the best.
David Bowie - "Hook" (Captain James Hook)
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Speaking of "Hook," David Bowie was originally set to take up the black-wigged role of Captain Hook before Dustin Hoffman. Bowie has been known to pull out unique roles in his films, including ones like "Labyrinth," but to this day, Dustin Hoffman's role as the villainous pirate is one of the most classic versions to date.
