33 Actors Who Rejected Iconic Roles

Both Wahlberg and Phoenix were approached by director Ang Lee to play gay cowboys in the critically acclaimed 2005 film, but Wahlberg rejected the role, later saying he was “creeped out” by the graphic script. This comment obviously created some controversy and doubts about his range as an actor, but he’s since admitted that he has no regrets about passing up the part (the roles eventually went to Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.)

Washington passed on the lead role in 2007’s “Clayton,” but has since has admitted it was a mistake. “With Clayton, it was the best material I had read in a long time, but I was nervous about a first-time director, and I was wrong. It happens,”. The part went to George Clooney in the end. Washington turned down Brad Pitt’s role in 1995’s “Se7en as well.

Take a moment just to imagine the fangirl explosion that would have followed if Leo had immediately taken up Jack Dawson with Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson’s porn epic. Apparently he was in love with the role, but in the end’ the rubber appendage went to Mark Wahlberg.

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