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This is an interesting case of things working out for everyone involved. Cillian Murphy is well known in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy for his portrayal as the Scarecrow, however, that particular notoriety wasn't his goal. It may surprise some that before Christian Bale donned the cowl, it was Cillian Murphy who auditioned to be the Bruce Wayne himself. After Nolan saw 28 Days Later, Murphy was able to score a meeting and eventual audition for Batman Begins. As Murphy has put it:
"In fact, I did an awkward audition in the Batsuit. I think he saw something interesting in that screen test somehow, though, because he said, 'Hey, would you be interested in playing this other part?'"
Everything worked out though, as Murphy not only got a great role as a villain, he was put in all three of films and several of Nolan's other films (Inception and Dunkirk).
- Age: 48
- Birthplace: Douglas, Cork, Ireland
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Back in 1977, Star Wars was released. But no one knew just how mammoth the mega-hit would become, least of all Hollywood actor Kurt Russell. Russell was in the running for both Luke Skywalker as well as Han Solo. The competition was closing in and Russell was one of the finalists for film, however the actor was offered a role in an ABC western series. He asked creator George Lucas if he was going to be cast and the role was still up in the air. Russell made a choice claiming " got to go to work, so I did the western. Clearly, made the right choice." That last part was a joke by the way, but The Thing/Big Trouble In Little China/Escape from New York/Guardians of the Galaxy 2/Hateful Eight star has done just fine for himself, after all.
- Age: 73
- Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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Jumanji was an instant classic when it came out in 1995. It also marked a big moment in the career of young Kirsten Dunst. However, Hollywood now A-lister Scarlett Johansson had auditioned for the role as well. The role went to Dunst, but don't feel bad for Johansson; being the highest grossing actor of 2016 is a decent enough trade-off.
- Age: 39
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
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Baby-faced Leo Dicaprio auditioned for a role in The Outsiders in the early 1980s when he was still trying to make it in Hollywood. While the part went to C. Thomas Howell, Leo ended up winning an Oscar down the road...and where is C. Thomas Howell these days? So it all worked out in the end.
- Age: 49
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
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The Amazing Spider-Man sporting Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone front and center promised to be star-studded success. However, before Garfield was cast, Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson threw his hat into the ring. The actor didn't get the part despite going through an elaborate self-taped demo reel. But he still had hopes after a commercial dive split the movie rights with Marvel.
"Yeah, of course I’d think about doing it: It’s Spider-Man, that’d be really cool. There’s not been any conversations about that, but who knows what would happen?"
Maybe next time Josh. A+ for effort either way.
- Age: 31
- Birthplace: Union, Kentucky, USA
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Brad Pitt is possibly THE most recognizable actor in America. Yet back in 1991, the fresh-faced actor was unable to land a role in Backdraft. The role ended up going to Billy Baldwin instead. Pitt shouldn't be embarrassed though, considering Robert Downey, Jr. was also turned down for the role. Seems like they both did all right for themselves.
- Age: 60
- Birthplace: Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
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Robert De Niro won an Oscar for his role as young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. However, he had originally auditioned for both the role of Sonny Corleone and Michael Corleone in the first film, roles that went to James Caan and Al Pacino respectively. Hey -- if he only had to wait a few extra years to win an Oscar, he probably doesn't mind.
- Age: 81
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Greenwich Village
Agree or disagree?
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James Deen's role in Rebel Without a Cause is iconic, but few know that Marlon Brando, the actor-extraordinaire, auditioned for the role. However, according to the screenwriter, Brando was never seriously considered. "It's oranges and apples," he said. "I heard that there was a test that Marlon did, but Nick had no interest in that." Brando is considered one of the best actors of all time nonetheless, although Rebel also made its star James Dean an icon.
- Age: Dec. at 80 (1924-2004)
- Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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In 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark hit screens and audiences were introduced to arguably the greatest film character of all time. While we all associate the iconic role with Harrison Ford, he actually wasn't the first choice for the film. In fact, creator George Lucas didn't want him, saying, "Oh, Steven. He's been in two of my movies. I don't want him to be my Bobby De Niro." Spielberg and Lucas landed on Tom Selleck for the role, feeling he was perfect for the hero. However, Selleck had shot a pilot for the series Magnum P.I. and was unable to get out of the contract. "[Spielberg and Lucas] held the offer out for about a month," Selleck told David Letterman. "The more they held out the offer and talked to the network the more the network said no...so I had to kind of move on." The series was a hit for Selleck but Harrison Ford ended up donning Indy's hat...and the rest is legendary.
- Age: 79
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Margot Kidder was iconic as Lois Lane, but the West Wing star Stockard Channing had a screen test for the part as well. According the director Richard Donner, Kidder won out due to her ability to treat Clark and Superman as two different people, each of whom Lois would react to differently.
- Age: 80
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
Agree or disagree?
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The cinematic reboot of Get Smart ended up starring Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, but Jessica Alba threw her name into the ring with her audition. She didn't get the part but hey, she had time on her hands to get into Fantastic Four!
- Age: 43
- Birthplace: Pomona, California, USA
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American Pie star Chris Klein decided to take a shot at a role in the film adaptation of Mama Mia! Unfortunately for Klein, the audition tape leaked and was met with a heavy dose of internet humiliation. Klein admitted it wasn't the best tape:
"I took a chance — I can't sing! I don't know why I was in there. But I took a chance! It's a musical — let's see if I can give it a shot. And, you know, the way that they put it out there, it gets taken out of context and all that kind of thing. It was really a dreadful audition."
The role went to Dominic Cooper.
- Age: 45
- Birthplace: Hinsdale, Illinois, USA
Agree or disagree?
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Everyone knows Leonardo Dicaprio played Jack in Titanic and made the character his own but the role nearly went to Jeremy Sisto. The Clueless star even scored a screen test with Rose herself, Kate Winslet. Yet the role went to Leo and the rest is history. Sisto took it well though, even if it did hurt. He has said:
""It was exciting to be a part of the process. To be involved in something that had that kind of scope -- anything James Cameron does has this huge scope to it. He's trying to push the limits on things. So I was just insanely inspired by it and a little heartbroken when the role didn't come my way."
- Age: 49
- Birthplace: Grass Valley, California, USA
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Jurassic Park is a film so iconic it's hard to imagine the roles played by anyone else. However, Gwyneth Paltrow actually auditioned for the role that ended up going to Laura Dern. Chances are it was that Paltrow was just too young for the part.
- Age: 51
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Agree or disagree?
COLLECTION15 LISTS
That's Showbiz, BabyExposing all the weird, expensive, political, ego-driven stuff that happens behind the scenes before and after films and TV series hit the screens.
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15 MORE LISTS
That's Showbiz, Baby
Exposing all the weird, expensive, political, ego-driven stuff that happens behind the scenes before and after films and TV series hit the screens.
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