11 Stars Who Almost Got the Part

Sometimes it seems like the casting choices for certain roles were chosen by the Hollywood gods, because you can’t imagine anyone else in that character’s shoes. Well, now you can imagine someone else, because we’re bringing you eleven stars who almost got the part. Honestly we’re happy they didn’t because the movie wouldn’t have been the same otherwise.

1. Nicholas Cage: The Breakfast Club

Nicholas Cage was apparently considered for the role of outcast John Bender in John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club. The film couldn’t afford Cage’s salary requirements, so John Cusack was cast as Bender. But then John Hughes finally chose Judd Nelson for the role. We love these other actors, but Judd Nelson owned that character.

2. Britney Spears: The Notebook

This may be one of the biggest shockers on our list. Ms. Britney Spears was considered for the role of Allie Calhoun in Nicholas’ Sparks 2004 film, The Notebook. Can you see her in this love story? The writers also considered Jessica Biel and Reese Witherspoon, but Rachel McAdams stole the show at the audition.

3. Jennifer Lawrence: Twilight Trilogy

Could you imagine if Bella Swan wasn’t played by dark and mysterious Kristen Stewart? Well, imagine it because the crew originally liked bubbly Jennifer Lawrence for the part. We think both actresses were finally cast for the appropriate trilogies. Like Bella Swan, we can’t imagine Katniss Evergreen played by anyone but JLaw.

4. Will Smith: Django Unchained

One of Quentin Tarantino’s greatest films, Django Unchained, almost had another lead actor. Will Smith was originally considered for the role of Django in the award winning film. Tarantino even said he wrote the screenplay with Will Smith in mind. Smith turned down the film and Jamie Foxx was cast. We think Jamie made an excellent Django.

5. Tom Cruise: Iron Man

Of all the stars who almost got the part, we’re most grateful for this one. Tom Cruise was originally set to be the producer and star of Iron Man in the early 2000s. Cruise was set to play Tony Stark and his heroic alter ego. Luckily, Tom Cruise didn’t think the script was strong enough and Robert Downey Jr. was hired. We think Downey Jr. was the better choice anyways.

6. Ashton Kutcher: 10 Things I Hate About You

Ashton Kutcher was almost cast to play the role of bad boy, Patrick Verona, in the iconic teen film. But luckily cast directors chose the late Heath Ledger for the part instead. It’s a good thing, because we couldn’t imagine goofball Ashton Kutcher pulling off the singing stadium number quite like Ledger did.

7. Gwyneth Paltrow: Titanic

This would have ruined the movie for us. Surprisingly, Gwyneth Paltrow was almost cast as the female lead, Rose DeWitt Bukater, in the classic film. Eventually, Kate Winslet landed the role and we’re glad she did. We can’t imagine Paltrow and DiCaprio having as much chemistry as he and Winslet did.

8. Julia Roberts: The Blind Side

Julia Roberts was initially considered for the role of adoptive mother, Leigh Anne Touhy, in the award winning film that was based on a true story. But Roberts turned down the role and Sandra Bullock landed it. We think this was a better choice for the lead anyways. Bullock even took a salary cut for the film, but she also landed an Oscar for her portrayal of the character.

9. Lindsay Lohan: Mean Girls

Imagine that Cady Haron almost played Regina George in the iconic teen movie. Lohan was originally considered for the role of “Queen of the Plastics,” but she turned down the part. Lohan admitted that she didn’t want fans to think her real personality was like the character’s. We think McAdams made a great “mean girl” anyways.

10. Jim Carrey: Pirates of the Caribbean

Could you imagine Jim Carrey playing drunken pirate, Jack Sparrow? Neither could we, so this is another one of the stars who almost got the part we’re glad didn’t in the end. Carrey was originally considered for the role in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, but Johnny Depp eventually won out. Carrey is funny, but Depp brought a sexy swagger to the character.

11. Christina Aguilera: Knocked Up

Apparently, Anne Hathaway was originally cast to play Alison Scott in the Judd Apatow film, but the Broadway actress left due to creative differences. Then, Christina Aguilera was cast, but she decided to focus on her music career insead. Finally, Katherine Heigl was chosen as the female lead of Knocked Up and she did a good job.