Actors who passed up iconic movie roles revealed - from John Travolta as Forrest Gump to Al Pacino as Han Solo

Daily Mail​

25-05-2025

Some of the most unforgettable roles in Hollywood history almost went to very different stars.
From John Travolta turning down Forrest Gump to Al Pacino walking away from Star Wars, many actors have passed up iconic movie roles.
A new wave of resurfaced casting secrets have been revealed - shocking loyal fans and making them wonder what might have been.
This week, a handwritten casting wish list from Quentin Tarantino 's Pulp Fiction emerged online, revealing just how wildly different the iconic 1994 film could have looked.
The list, which was posted to X by the film account All The Right Movies, shows the now-legendary director's original lineup of 'first choices', 'second choices', and 'strong possibilities' for his all-star cast.
The cult classic, which made $213.9million at the global box office off an $8million budget, is now considered one of the most influential films of all time.
But it turns out Pulp Fiction nearly featured an entirely different roster of Hollywood heavyweights.
Tim Roth famously played Pumpkin, one half of the armed couple in the movie's explosive opening scene.
But he wasn't the only contender. Tarantino had Johnny Depp as his second choice, with Christian Slater, Gary Oldman and Nicolas Cage also in the mix.
Tim Roth famously played Pumpkin, one half of the armed couple in the movie's explosive opening scene. But Tarantino had Johnny Depp as his second choice
Amanda Plummer's character, Honey Bunny, was reportedly written for her specifically, but in case she couldn't do it, Patricia Arquette and Lili Taylor were lined up as backups.
John Travolta may have stolen the show as Vincent Vega, but the role was originally intended for Michael Madsen.
Travolta, according to the document, was listed as a 'strong, strong, strong second choice'.
Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton and Gary Oldman were also considered.
More shockingly, Travolta had previously turned down the role of Forrest Gump to take the part in Pulp Fiction.
That role, of course, went to Tom Hanks - who won an Oscar and cemented his place in movie history.
Al Pacino said no to playing Han Solo in Star Wars, telling interviewers he didn't understand the script
Will Smith was originally approached to play Neo in The Matrix, but passed, saying the pitch didn't make sense to him at the time
And he's far from the only one to make a now potentially regrettable decision.
Al Pacino said no to playing Han Solo in Star Wars, telling interviewers he didn't understand the script.
'It was at that time in my career where I was offered everything,' Pacino told MTV in 2014 as reported by Men's Health.
'I was in 'The Godfather'. They didn't care if I was right or wrong for the role, if I could act or not act.'
Harrison Ford got the role instead and the rest is history.
Will Smith was originally approached to play Neo in The Matrix, but passed, saying the pitch didn't make sense to him at the time.
Burt Reynolds rejected the role of James Bond in 1973's Live and Let Die, saying he didn't think the public would accept an American 007
Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon all reportedly passed on Brokeback Mountain, which eventually starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in career-defining roles
John Lithgow turned down the chance to play The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, even talking the director out of casting him
He made Wild Wild West instead - and has openly admitted he regrets the choice.
Robin Williams was almost cast as Jack Torrance in The Shining before Jack Nicholson took over the terrifying role.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon all reportedly passed on Brokeback Mountain, which eventually starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in career-defining roles.
John Lithgow turned down the chance to play The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, even talking the director out of casting him.
Burt Reynolds rejected the role of James Bond in 1973's Live and Let Die, saying he didn't think the public would accept an American 007.
Christina Applegate passed on playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, later admitting she didn't want to be typecast.
Reese Witherspoon took on the role instead and became a global star.
Christina Applegate passed on playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, later admitting she didn't want to be typecast. Reese Witherspoon took the role and became a global star
And in what may be one of the most expensive rejections of all time, Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy because he 'didn't understand the script'.
He was reportedly offered $10million per film - plus 15 percent of the box office.
The role would have earned him nearly $450million.