Hollywood is full of “what ifs,” and nothing gets the debate going among film fans more than the parts that almost belonged to someone else. Casting can be a game of musical chairs with high stakes, where the last person standing can make or break an actor’s career. Let’s explore the 10 most surprising near-misses in film and television casting, considering what alternate universes they might have produced.
10. Timothée Chalamet as Spider-Man
Timothée Chalamet was in the mix for Spider-Man: Homecoming before Tom Holland came along and stole the role. Chalamet later revealed that his audition was terrifying, having him “sweating in a total panic” and wondering if he even had what it took. Holland won the part, but Chalamet has found other success elsewhere, headlining hits such as Dune and Wonka. Still, imagine a Spider-Man with those trademark Chalamet cheekbones—it’s an amusing idea.
9. Emily Blunt as Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson is forever tied to Black Widow, but Marvel Studios had first offered the role to Emily Blunt. Scheduling conflicts with Gulliver’s Travels had Blunt dropping out, something she has publicly expressed regret over. Johansson’s legendary performance came later, but it’s interesting to see the Avengers commanded by Blunt’s understated, British charm.
8. Britney Spears as Allie in The Notebook
The swoony romance of Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling may have been very different—Britney Spears nearly ended up playing Allie. Due to her Mickey Mouse Club tie with Gosling, Spears reached the final two, but McAdams won out. Let your mind play out what it would have been like if pop royalty had gotten top billing in one of the most iconic tearjerkers of the century.
7. Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone in The Godfather
Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone is iconic, but Jack Nicholson was first offered the part. He refused, declaring, “Indians play Indians and Italians play Italians.” Pacino’s casting revolutionized everything, but it’s crazy to imagine Nicholson as the ruthless Godfather heir.
6. Will Smith as Neo in The Matrix
Keanu Reeves is forever associated with bullet time, but Will Smith was initially the Wachowskis’ choice to play Neo. Smith turned it down, hesitant to get typecast following Men in Black and Independence Day, later expressing some regret. Reeves’ ascent as Neo became iconic, but a Matrix starring Smith might have been a rather different experience.
5. John Travolta as Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning turn almost didn’t occur—first, John Travolta was offered the part of Forrest Gump. He declined to take Pulp Fiction, a move that would define his career. Hanks filled in and gave one of the movie’s greatest performances, and it’s difficult to picture anyone else delivering that memorable line about a box of chocolates.
4. Gwyneth Paltrow and Claire Danes as Rose in Titanic
Kate Winslet’s Rose became legendary, yet she was not the only contender. Gwyneth Paltrow turned it down to play Great Expectations, and Claire Danes passed because of another great love with Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet). Winslet’s performance captured a generation, yet the “what ifs” are to be savored.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio as Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights
Leonardo DiCaprio later said that saying no to Boogie Nights was his “biggest regret.” He turned down Dirk Diggler to play in Titanic, which opened the door for Mark Wahlberg. DiCaprio has said he wished he had done both movies, making this one of Hollywood’s most well-known close calls.
2. Henry Cavill as Edward Cullen in Twilight
Before Robert Pattinson’s time as vampire hunk, Stephenie Meyer preferred that Henry Cavill play Edward Cullen. By the time the film was approved, Cavill had grown too big for the part, and Pattinson took his place. Meyer was said to have been shattered, but Cavill ended up in Superman and The Witcher, so the universe equalized just fine.
1. Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds playing Han Solo in Star Wars
Harrison Ford’s Han Solo is now iconic, but the role almost went elsewhere. Burt Reynolds was offered the part but declined, later admitting he regretted it. Al Pacino also passed, claiming he didn’t understand the script. Ford, who was working as a carpenter at the time, became the legendary space smuggler we know today.
Hollywood casting history is rich with intriguing “what ifs,” demonstrating the impact of one decision on careers—and sometimes, the destiny of entire franchises. These close calls remind us that the actors who finally appear on screen are merely part of the equation—there is a whole world of other cinematic universes waiting to be conceived behind them.