Hit Or Miss (Part 2)

 

Whether it was a smart move or a disaster, some of Hollywood’s favorite actresses have turned down an assortment of movie roles that they’ve been offered.  Who were the actresses and which movies did they decide to pass on?

 

Was It A Million Dollar Mistake?

Sandra Bullock was originally cast to play Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby.  But, when Bullock had to pull out of the project due to scheduling conflicts, not only did Hilary Swank get the role, but she also won the Oscar for best actress.

 

It’s A Scream!

Drew Barrymore and Reese Witherspoon were both at one time offered the role of Sidney Prescott in Scream.  Witherspoon turned down the role while scheduling conflicts made Barrymore opt for the smaller role of Casey Becker.  Neve Campbell starred as Sidney in the movie and its two sequels.

 

Maybe It Wasn’t Such A Bad Move

“Gigli” (2003) wasn’t only famous for its pairing of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez it was also one of the year’s movie disasters at the box office.  But Lopez wasn’t originally signed on to the film.  Did you know that Halle Berry initially turned down the role of Ricki?

 

To Act, Or Not To Act…

While Gwyneth Paltrow won the Oscar for “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), there have been plenty of movie roles that the actress has turned down.  She turned down the starring role in another 1998 movie, “The Avengers”.  Uma Thurman ended up portraying Emma Peel in the film.  Naomi Watts hit box office gold as Rachel Keller in “The Ring” (2002) as did Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner in “The Aviator” (2004).  Paltrow had turned down both roles.

 

Sometimes Nature Takes Its Course…

Judy Garland had actually started filming 1950’s “Annie Get Your Gun” when she suddenly took ill.  After delaying production, Garland was eventually recast.  Betty Hutton took over the role of Annie Oakley.

 

The Unsinkable Molly Brown

In Titanic, Kathy Bates played the outspoken character Molly Brown.  However, the role had been offered to Reba McEntire who turned in down due to scheduling conflicts.

 

Coming Up Roses…

Mena Suvari starred as Angela in the Oscar winning movie American Beauty.  But did you know the role was first offered to Kirsten Dunst who declined?

 

Did The Future Spell Out Something?

Tilda Swinton was offered the role of Professor Trelawney in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  After she turned down the role, Emma Thompson was cast and played the character in the movie!

 

A Little Stormy

Can you think of another actress besides Halle Berry in the role of Storm in the X-Men movies?  Angela Bassett was given the opportunity to play the character but declined!

 

Maybe She Wanted To Sing Instead

Although it was Catherine Zeta-Jones who starred as Elena in Mask of Zorro, the role was offered to someone else first.  Who?  It was offered to the musical songstress Shakira who declined the role!

 

Don’t Panic!

Nicole Kidman was all set to star as Meg Altman in “Panic Room” (2002) but had to back out due to an injury. The role went to Jodie Foster, however, we can still here Kidman’s voice over the telephone!

 

Speaking Of Panic…

“Panic Room” hasn’t been the only film that Nicole Kidman has passed on.  She was given roles in the 2005 films “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “The Producers”.  When she backed out of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, Angelina Jolie took over the role of Mrs. Jane Smith while Uma Thurman portrayed the character of Ulla in “The Producers”.

 

A Little Freaky…

“Freaky Friday” (2003) was a hit remake starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.  But it was Annette Bening who was first offered the role of Tess in the movie!

 

The One That Got Away…

Salma Hayek was all set to get the part of Alicia in 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind”.  But after a change in the script, filmmakers opted for Jennifer Connelly, who would go on to win Oscar gold for the part.

 

Maybe The Horseman Scared Her…

Winona Ryder was first offered the role of Katrina Van Tassel in the film Sleepy Hollow.  When she turned down the role, the part went to Christina Ricci.

 

These movies and more are available at:

 

See Also:

Hit Or Miss (Part 1)

Musicians And Film (Part 1)

Celebrity Hits Or Misses

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© 2007 by Tammy Cordani.  To use the above content you must first obtain written permission.  Please contact Tammy Cordani.  All rights reserved.