Celebrities Who Rejected Iconic Movie and TV Roles

Many of the most memorable roles in film and television might have taken a different shape if original casting choices had been kept.

Before Billy Crudup embodied Stillwater lead Russell Hammond in the 2000 musical drama, director Cameron Crowe initially considered Brad Pitt, who was just beginning his illustrious career at the time. “He just really had something,” Crowe remarked during the premiere episode of the “Origins: Almost Famous Turns Twenty” podcast in July 2020.

Although Pitt delivered a stellar audition that had Crowe “rolling on the floor” with laughter, it ultimately wasn’t the right match for that particular moment. Crowe confessed that he “wept” when the Fight Club star decided to withdraw from the production.

“However, I think deep down, I realized that he had never completely connected with the character,” Crowe reflected. “He loved the concept of the character, but perhaps there simply wasn’t enough substance in the script.”

Continue scrolling to discover which stars nearly landed some of the most legendary roles in film and TV!