33 Actors Who Rejected Iconic Roles

In 1994, “Forrest Gump” became the highest grossing movie in North America, and Tom Hanks nabbed the Oscar for his portrayal of the beloved and unique character that year. However, Hanks wasn’t the first choice for the role — John Travolta was, followed by Bill Murray and Chevy Chase. Travolta has since admitted that declining the role was a mistake on his part.

Quentin Tarantino wrote Bill with the Bonnie & Clyde star in mind. However, Beatty had become increasingly picky with roles by the early 2000’s — he still hasn’t starred in a movie since 2001’s money-hemorrhaging flop Town & Country — and turned down the part. QT turned to another one of his faves, former Grasshopper David Carradine instead. But seriously, Beatty would rather appear in Love Affair but not Kill Bill?

Peter Jackson offered the original James Bond character the part of Gandalf. But apparently, Connery declined because he “didn’t understand the script.” After LOTR’s runaway success, Connery had decided to accept the lead role in the next movie script he didn’t completely understand: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Actually, no one understood that one. Regret? We think so.

Can you see Matt Damon in this NEXT role?