Casting choices that were almost different

[Jack Straw]

Surprised no one has mentioned Ian McCellen turning down the role of Dumbledore, because Richard Harris had criticized his acting.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I'm not a big fan of The Office, but I love this video of other famous actors auditioning for roles in the show. Interesting to think of how differently the series could have been and how different the career trajectories of those actors could have been had they landed these roles.

 

[DaaaaB's]

Didn’t he cut off a guys ear in Reservoir Dogs?

He apparently hated filming that scene. When the guy playing the cop ad libbed the line "I've got a little kid at home" it really disturbed Madsen and he had trouble finishing the scene.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

He apparently hated filming that scene. When the guy playing the cop ad libbed the line "I've got a little kid at home" it really disturbed Madsen and he had trouble finishing the scene.

Ya it’s pretty weird all the graphic violence I’ve seen in movies and tv shows over the years, that I’ve never gone back and rewatched Reservoir Dogs.

My young and innocent teen brain kind of pops up and says “hell nah dude!” any time adult me thinks about watching it.

Kind of wild TBTH because there are a bunch of actors in the film I really like.

Maybe one day, who knows.

Does he kill the cop? I can’t even remember that part.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Just an observation. With the McQueen turning down roles.

Michael Caine gave interview years ago after he was given a list of roles he turned down

He had not turned down any of the roles named.

He said "in one year I received about 500 scripts. I did 3 movies that year. In Hollywood language that means I turned down 497 movies. The amount of scripts that are given to actors vs movies they make? It is insane. Unless you have the actor saying he turned down the role and producers saying they offered the role, do not believe it. Sometimes it is all about getting the press.:

 

[HolyGhost]

I think it is time to post links to back up turn downs

It could have been so different

Bruce Willis was made for Die Hard, right? And Harrison Ford was perfect as Indiana Jones? But those actors weren’t the the film-makers’ first choice. Mark King on the mystery of casting.

www.theguardian.com

 

[DaaaaB's]

Ya it’s pretty weird all the graphic violence I’ve seen in movies and tv shows over the years, that I’ve never gone back and rewatched Reservoir Dogs.

My young and innocent teen brain kind of pops up and says “hell nah dude!” any time adult me thinks about watching it.

Kind of wild TBTH because there are a bunch of actors in the film I really like.

Maybe one day, who knows.

Does he kill the cop? I can’t even remember that part.

He didn't but another character does.

 

[The Macho King]

Beverly Hills Cop was originally Stallone. Wild change.

 

[hangman005]

Not sure it quite fits the bill here, but Zapp Brannigan was written for Phil Hartman, Billy West's characterization of Zapp is a nice ongoing tribute/homage to what could have been.

 

[alko]

Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator with the intent that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the Predator an agile, ninja-like hunter. But when the 5'9" Van Damme was compared to Schwarzenegger, Weathers, and Ventura — actors over 6 feet tall and known for their bodybuilding regimens — it became apparent a more physically imposing man was needed to make the creature appear threatening. Additionally, it was reported that Van Damme constantly complained about the monster suit being too hot and causing him to pass out. He allegedly had also repeatedly voiced reservations about only appearing on camera in the suit. Additionally, the original design for the Predator was felt to be too cumbersome and difficult to manage in the jungle and, even with a more imposing actor, did not provoke enough fear. Van Damme was removed from the film and replaced by the 7'2" Kevin Peter Hall.

 

[archangel2]

Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator with the intent that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the Predator an agile, ninja-like hunter. But when the 5'9" Van Damme was compared to Schwarzenegger, Weathers, and Ventura — actors over 6 feet tall and known for their bodybuilding regimens — it became apparent a more physically imposing man was needed to make the creature appear threatening. Additionally, it was reported that Van Damme constantly complained about the monster suit being too hot and causing him to pass out. He allegedly had also repeatedly voiced reservations about only appearing on camera in the suit. Additionally, the original design for the Predator was felt to be too cumbersome and difficult to manage in the jungle and, even with a more imposing actor, did not provoke enough fear. Van Damme was removed from the film and replaced by the 7'2" Kevin Peter Hall.

Van damme was also pissed when he found out that he would be in costume all the time. It sounds like his agent suggested thst there would be scene explaining that the preditor used to be a man or something