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Cape Town - Careers have been made by choosing the right role.
But how important is the person behind the character? Would those iconic movies or television series be as successful with other stars in the lead?
Follow us to an alternate universe where these first choices turned down some of the most awesome characters of our time.
1) Will Smith as Neo in The Matrix
The Wild Wild West star didn't believe in the potential success of the movie, but later admitted that he would have messed it up. The Fresh Prince dodging bullets? Don't think so either.
2) Emily Browning as Bella in Twilight
She was author Stephenie Meyer's first choice, alongside Henry Cavill as Edward, but needed a break after finishing up with another movie. Do you think she would have gotten the same criticism to the ever-wooden KStew?
3) Al Pacino as Han Solo in Star Wars
Instead of wielding machine guns the Scarface actor could have been wielding blaster pistols. Sorry, Al, but Harrison Ford will always be the true Han Solo.
4) John Cusack as Walter White in Breaking Bad
John with no hair could be just as scary as Bryan Cranston, but we don't think he would have had the same chemistry with Jesse. (Aren't we punny?)
5) Emily Blunt as Black Widow in Iron Man 2
The actress turned down the role because she viewed women in superhero movies as extra props and wanted more of a challenge. Hard to see the classic Mrs Blunt as a ass-whooping seductress, but she has enough talent to pull it off.
6) Sean Connery as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings AND as Morpheus in The Matrix
Just imagine Sean Connery saying "What if I told you..." or "You shall not pass!" Pretty epic. Not that the actors weren't epic in the roles. It's just that voice...
7) Henry Winkler as Danny Zuko in Grease
Might not seem it now, but back then the man famous for playing Fonzie on Happy Days had the hair, jacket and even the white shirt to pull of Grease Lightning, but few can out-dance the king of Saturday Night Fever.
8) Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and John Travolta as Forrest in Forrest Gump
There were many choices for the role of the loveable simpleton, and some of them regretted turning it down. Well, at least they have first experience of the 'box of chocolates' metaphor.
9) Gwyneth Paltrow as Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic
Still one of the most successful movies of all time, before Kate Winslet could spread her arms at the helm of the ship, Gwyneth had a go at it but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Kate was pretty lucky, as the movie propelled her into stardom.
10) Kate Winslet as Viola De Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love
And vice versa, the Titanic star was offered the role of Viola first, which could have earned her the Oscar for Best Actress that she missed out on the previous year.
11) Thomas Jane as Don Draper in Mad Men
The man who played a prostitute on Hung was considered for the dashing Don Draper. They both look good in suits, but that hat just makes him look foolish alongside Jon Hamm.
12) Jim Carrey as Edward in Edward Scissorhands
We would definitely have had a totally different Edward if Jim Carrey played the part, which the then-struggling actor auditioned for many times but didn't have the dramatic experience. Also, we might not have had the Tim Burton-Johnny Depp partnership seeing as this was their first movie together.
13) Bette Midler as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act
The script was actually written for Bette, but she felt that her fans wouldn't want to see her in a nun's habit. This could have gone either way, as they have very different styles, but I think we would rather stick with Whoopi.
But how important is the person behind the character? Would those iconic movies or television series be as successful with other stars in the lead?
Follow us to an alternate universe where these first choices turned down some of the most awesome characters of our time.
1) Will Smith as Neo in The Matrix
The Wild Wild West star didn't believe in the potential success of the movie, but later admitted that he would have messed it up. The Fresh Prince dodging bullets? Don't think so either.
2) Emily Browning as Bella in Twilight
She was author Stephenie Meyer's first choice, alongside Henry Cavill as Edward, but needed a break after finishing up with another movie. Do you think she would have gotten the same criticism to the ever-wooden KStew?
3) Al Pacino as Han Solo in Star Wars
Instead of wielding machine guns the Scarface actor could have been wielding blaster pistols. Sorry, Al, but Harrison Ford will always be the true Han Solo.
4) John Cusack as Walter White in Breaking Bad
John with no hair could be just as scary as Bryan Cranston, but we don't think he would have had the same chemistry with Jesse. (Aren't we punny?)
5) Emily Blunt as Black Widow in Iron Man 2
The actress turned down the role because she viewed women in superhero movies as extra props and wanted more of a challenge. Hard to see the classic Mrs Blunt as a ass-whooping seductress, but she has enough talent to pull it off.
6) Sean Connery as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings AND as Morpheus in The Matrix
Just imagine Sean Connery saying "What if I told you..." or "You shall not pass!" Pretty epic. Not that the actors weren't epic in the roles. It's just that voice...
7) Henry Winkler as Danny Zuko in Grease
Might not seem it now, but back then the man famous for playing Fonzie on Happy Days had the hair, jacket and even the white shirt to pull of Grease Lightning, but few can out-dance the king of Saturday Night Fever.
8) Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and John Travolta as Forrest in Forrest Gump
There were many choices for the role of the loveable simpleton, and some of them regretted turning it down. Well, at least they have first experience of the 'box of chocolates' metaphor.
9) Gwyneth Paltrow as Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic
Still one of the most successful movies of all time, before Kate Winslet could spread her arms at the helm of the ship, Gwyneth had a go at it but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Kate was pretty lucky, as the movie propelled her into stardom.
10) Kate Winslet as Viola De Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love
And vice versa, the Titanic star was offered the role of Viola first, which could have earned her the Oscar for Best Actress that she missed out on the previous year.
11) Thomas Jane as Don Draper in Mad Men
The man who played a prostitute on Hung was considered for the dashing Don Draper. They both look good in suits, but that hat just makes him look foolish alongside Jon Hamm.
12) Jim Carrey as Edward in Edward Scissorhands
We would definitely have had a totally different Edward if Jim Carrey played the part, which the then-struggling actor auditioned for many times but didn't have the dramatic experience. Also, we might not have had the Tim Burton-Johnny Depp partnership seeing as this was their first movie together.
13) Bette Midler as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act
The script was actually written for Bette, but she felt that her fans wouldn't want to see her in a nun's habit. This could have gone either way, as they have very different styles, but I think we would rather stick with Whoopi.
