ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO PASSED ON ICONIC ROLES

SANDRA BULLOCK

The Role: Margaret “Maggie” Fitzgerald

When the production of Million Dollar Baby was met with delays, its

star Sandra Bullock, packed her bags and left. Unfortunately for her

the film was not only a commercial success, it also was universally

acclaimed by critics. Its star, Hilary Swank, earned her second

Best Actress award at the Oscars.

MEL GIBSON

The Role: Bruce Wayne/Batman

Mel Gibson was initially approached to play the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman

in Tim Burton’s 1989 adaptation. Thinking that the movie will be a flop,

Gibson passed up on playing the role. In line with Tim Burton films,

Batman was criticized for being “too dark”. That didn’t stop the film from

being a massive box office success, earning a reported $411,348,924.

KATE WINSLET

The Role: Viola de Lesseps

Kate Winslet was offered the role of Viola de Lesseps in the 1998 British

romantic comedy-drama film Shakespeare in Love. Had she accepted

the role, Winslet might have won an Oscar for Best Actress much earlier

in her career rather than having to endure 5 losses before winning her

first Academy Award in 2009.

EMILY BROWNING

The Role: Bella Swan

The Twilight film series has brought international attention to its stars

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The author of the

books on which the films are based, Stephanie Meyer, has stated that

Emily Browning was her “ideal Bella”. However, Browning refused to

even audition for the part. In an interview, the actress had this to say

“The author at one point stated that I would be her ideal Bella, but I

chose not to audition because I was at a point in my career where

I wasn’t sure I wanted to work.”

JULIA ROBERTS

The Role: Leigh Anne Tuohy

Great roles are so hard to come by these days. An even harder thing to

snag: an Academy Award. Julia Roberts might have won her 2nd

Best Actress award had she accepted the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the

2009 film the Blind Side. Roberts turned down the role to do Valentine’s Day,

a film directed by Garry Marshall– the man who gave her the career-defining

role of Vivian in Pretty Woman. Talk about missing a major shot!

BRUCE WILLIS

The Role: Sam Wheat

When Bruce Willis turned the role of Sam Wheat in the 1990 romantic

Fantasy film, Ghost, he missed the opportunity to play a part opposite his

then real-life spouse, Demi Moore, as well as starring in the highest grossing

film of 1990. Ghost reportedly earned $505,702,588 at the box office.

SIGOURNEY WEAVER

The Role: Sarah Tobias

When Sigourney Weaver turned down the role of Sarah Tobias in the

1988 film The Accused, Jodi Foster took over the role. It earned her the

first of two Best Actress Oscars.

JIM CARREY

The Role: Edward Scissorhands

Jim Carrey was considered to play the role of Edward Scissorhands before

it was finally handed over to Johnny Depp but after he turned it down the

role went to Johnny Depp and practically made him famous.