A while back, I started an editorial that needs to be continued! You can read the first part HERE. I will be taking a look at a few more film franchises and revealing some of the roles that actors may have unwisely turned down. Although, some of them, I’m actually glad they did! I’m not sure how Kate Winslet would have looked in the Elektra costume!

superman logo car floor mat 150x150 What Could Have Been: The Roles that Got Away, Part 2!Superman (1978)
Jon Voight, who has appeared in Mission: Impossible and Transformers, was actually cast in the role of Clark Kent/Superman before producers rejected the idea and let him go. Obviously, Christopher Reeves was brought in to star in the movie. James Caan turned the role down, as did Clint Eastwood. Warren Beatty, Jeff Bridges and Sam Elliott were also considered for the role. Dustin Hoffman turned down the role of Lex Luthor, which, as we know went to Gene Hackman.

supershield 150x150 What Could Have Been: The Roles that Got Away, Part 2!Superman Returns (2006)
Before the relatively unknown Brandon Routhe landed the coveted role of Clark Kent/Superman in Brian Singer’s movie, Jason Behr, Matt Bomer, Paul Walker, Josh Hartnett and Jake Gyllenhaal were all considered for the lead role. The highly sought-after Johnny Depp was considered to play either Jor-El or Lex Luthor. Kate Bosworth beat out several talented actress for the role of Lois Lane, including Keri Russell (who would have been the runner up for the studio), Evangeline Lilly of Lostand Scarlett Johansson.

spider man logo 439x236 150x150 What Could Have Been: The Roles that Got Away, Part 2!Spider-Man Series
Toby Maguire was not Sony’s first choice to play the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man; that honor goes to the late Heath Ledger who turned the role down because he was afraid of being type-cast as a Super Hero. Freddie Prinze Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio and Jake Gyllenhall were also considered. Nicolas Cage was offered the role of The Green Goblin, but he turned it down. The role was played by Willem DaFoe. Kirsten Dunst, who is not a huge fan-favorite for the role of MJ, was actually a runner-up for the part. Kate Hudson unwisely turned the role down. Elisha Cuthbert and Milla Jovovich were also both considered. Eliza Dushku also tested for the role and can be heard reading lines with Tobey Maguire on the special features of the DVD of Spider-Man.

Daredevil Logo 2 mediano 150x150 What Could Have Been: The Roles that Got Away, Part 2!Daredevil (2003)
Can you imagine Guy Pearce (The Count of Monte Cristo, Requiem for a Dream) playing the lead in Daredevil? Well, he actually turned the roles down. Matt Damon and Edward Norton were both considered for the part that Ben Affleck eventually landed. As I mention earlier, Kate Winslet turned down the role of Elektra, a part that Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman and Jeri Ryan were all considered for.

iphone wallpaper 007 james bond 150x150 What Could Have Been: The Roles that Got Away, Part 2!Casino Royale (2006)
When MGM announced that they were going to give the James Bond franchise a refresh, rumors went flying regarding who would step into one of the most iconic characters in film history. Before Daniel Craig landed the role, it seemed that there were dozens of actors rumored to be taking the role. Ewan McGregor was actually the first choice of the studio to take the role, but he turned it down. Who else was considered? Clive Owen, Julian McMahon, Heath Ledger, Hugh Jackman,  Colin Farrell, Henry Cavill (considered to be too young), Gerard Butler, Orlando Bloom and Eric Bana.

Stay tuned for more of What Could Have Been!