Hollywood is a land of opportunities, but also of tough choices. Actors are constantly offered roles, and sometimes, they turn them down for various reasons. However, some of these decisions come back to haunt them when the movie becomes a massive hit. Here are ten actors who regretted turning down movie roles.
Denzel Washington: Michael Clayton (2007)
Michael Clayton, a legal thriller starring George Clooney, was a box office success. Denzel Washington was initially offered the lead role of Michael Clayton, a “fixer” for a New York City law firm. However, he turned it down, and the role went to Clooney.
Washington later admitted regretting his decision. He felt the script was excellent but was hesitant about working with a first-time director. He stated that if he could go back, he would have accepted the role.[1]
Madonna: The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix, a science-fiction action film, became a massive commercial success. The “Queen of Pop,” Madonna, was offered the role of Trinity but declined it, initially thinking the script was poor.
Despite her successful music career, Madonna regrets passing up the acting role. She now considers The Matrix one of the best movies ever made and laments her decision.[2]
Matt Damon: Avatar (2009)
Matt Damon, a successful actor, passed on the opportunity to star in Avatar, one of the highest-grossing movies in history. He was offered the lead role, which eventually went to Sam Worthington, along with ten percent of the movie’s profits.
Damon has admitted that turning down the movie is his biggest career regret. He missed the chance to work with James Cameron and be part of a cult classic. His commitment to the Bourne franchise and concerns about potential sequels influenced his decision.[3]
Christina Applegate: Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde, a romantic comedy, was a significant commercial success. Christina Applegate rejected a role in the movie because she was tired of being offered “dumb blonde” roles.
The role went to Reese Witherspoon, making her a household name. Applegate has since regretted her decision, as the movie became beloved in the romantic comedy genre.[4]
Josh Hartnett: Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Begins, a superhero film, saw Josh Hartnett turning down the lead role offered by Christopher Nolan, a decision he later regretted. Hartnett admitted this decision negatively impacted his career.
While Batman Begins became a commercial hit, the movies Hartnett chose instead, such as Lucky Number Slevin and The Black Dahlia, failed to achieve similar success. Rejecting the Batman role also hindered his chance to build a relationship with Nolan.[5]
Bruce Willis: Ghost (1990)
Bruce Willis, despite his successful acting career, regrets turning down the lead role in Ghost. The role was eventually played by Patrick Swayze.
Willis didn’t believe in the concept of a romantic relationship between a ghost and a living person and passed on the role. He regretted this when the movie became an instant hit. He also missed the opportunity to work with his then-wife, Demi Moore, who played the female lead.[6]
Kevin Costner: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption, a drama film, had Kevin Costner as one of the initial choices for the lead role of Andy Dufresne. However, he turned it down because he was busy filming Waterworld.
The Shawshank Redemption received positive reviews and became a cult classic. Meanwhile, Waterworld, despite its large budget, wasn’t as successful. Costner has since expressed his regret.[7]
Eddie Murphy: Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Eddie Murphy, known for franchises like Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek, regrets turning down Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The movie was acclaimed for its storyline and blend of live-action and animation.
It became a box-office hit, and the producers originally wanted Murphy for the lead role, which eventually went to Bob Hoskins. The movie won three Academy Awards.[8]
Sean Connery: Lord of the Rings (2001–2003)
Sean Connery, the first actor to portray James Bond on film, turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. The movie series became an epic fantasy adventure.
Connery lost out on the classic and over $400 million. He was offered $30 million per film and fifteen percent of the box-office profits, all of which he declined. His regret was so significant that he apologized for turning down the movie.[9]
Lindsay Lohan: The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover, an American comedy movie, became a major box-office success. Lindsay Lohan, despite struggling career-wise, turned down a role because she couldn’t see the potential in the movie.
The Hangover became a cult classic, spawning two sequels that were also commercially successful. This decision is one of Lohan’s biggest regrets.[10]
Turning down a movie role can be a life-altering decision for an actor. As seen in these cases, sometimes, actors miss out on career-defining opportunities due to various reasons, leading to significant regrets later on.
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