Celebrities that turned down roles in films that went big (ie: Pretty Woman)

[Genx87]

What exactly does that have to do with 'Brokeback Mountain' (which is a great movie BTW)? You seem to imply that that movie had some sort of negative impact on Gyllenhaal's career. If anything it helped solidify him as a great actor, his performance was critically acclaimed for that role.

I dont imply that at all. You are reading something that isnt there.

I am pointing out that Jake hasnt done any better than Wahlberg when it comes to movie roles after being in Brokeback Mountain. So I dont see how turning down that movie has hurt or slowed Wahlbergs career like the article claims. Honestly, it feels like Wahlberg has had a more successful\plentiful career lately than Jake.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I dont imply that at all. You are reading something that isnt there.

I am pointing out that Jake hasnt done any better than Wahlberg when it comes to movie roles after being in Brokeback Mountain. So I dont see how turning down that movie has hurt or slowed Wahlbergs career like the article claims. Honestly, it feels like Wahlberg has had a more successful\plentiful career lately than Jake.

I would agree with that. I think Jake is a fantastic actor though, he was very good in 'Zodiak.' Not sure why he hasn't gotten any great roles lately though.

Like I said, it just seemed like you were implying that. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[JamesV]

Sean Connery turned down playing Gandalf and regretted it.

Didn't he also turn down the role of Morpheus in the Matrix movies?

Good for us at any rate; can't stand Connery with his posturing 1940's acting style... would have ruined the Matrix.

- Molly Ringwald says “No” to Pretty Woman.
wow her career would have risen high instead of Julie Roberts

Molly is cute, but far from the hotness of Julia Roberts, and Richard Gere would have looked like a child molester in the tame sex scenes. Surprised they even though of Molly.

 

[dainthomas]

Molly is cute, but far from the hotness of Julia Roberts,

lol, wat? :biggrin:

 

[Blintok]

Melanie Griffith, Kim Basinger and Linda Blair were the top three choices to play the part of Iris that went to Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver. After those three all passed Jodie Foster beat out Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kristy McNichol and Heather Locklear. Mariel Hemingway was in the running too and backed out at the end due to her family pressuring her.

Debra Winger, Kim Cattrall, Carrie Fisher, Bo Derek, Michelle Pfeiffer and Rosanna Arquette also auditioned for the part.

I actually just saw Taxi Driver about 6 months ago for the first time. Just one of those things i never got around to. But what i found amusing about it was..its been out 38yrs now. It struck me funny that Harvey Keitel looked the same then..as now. Was like, lol Harvey Keitel with long hair trying to look young.

and Jennifer Jason Leigh...for ever i was thinking she was Tony Curtis's kid. but found out she is Vic Morrow's kid (aka Sgt Saunders)

 

[GagHalfrunt]

While this one is not a turn-down, Robert Englund was auditioning for a role in Apocalypse Now and walked across the hall to read for the role of Luke Skywalker too as the try-outs were going on at the same time. He didn't get the part, but thought his friend Mark Hamill would be perfect for it. Hamill wasn't going to audition for Star Wars, but took Englund's advice and tried out.

 

[shortylickens]

Christopher Lee turned down the role of Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars, suggesting Peter Cushing instead. Thus missing his opportunity to be in the good trilogy.

Apparently Orson Wells was once considered for the voice of Darth Vader, which would have been awesome.
http://www.notstarring.com/movies/star-wars

In 1976 Star Wars looked really fuckin stupid to everyone.
They didnt know about the next-gen special effects George Lucas had planned.

 

[madoka]

While this one is not a turn-down, Robert Englund was auditioning for a role in Apocalypse Now and walked across the hall to read for the role of Luke Skywalker too as the try-outs were going on at the same time. He didn't get the part, but thought his friend Mark Hamill would be perfect for it. Hamill wasn't going to audition for Star Wars, but took Englund's advice and tried out.

You butchered that story. Here's what really happened:

Back in the seventies, Robert Englund and Mark Hamill were roommates, who were both just starting their careers in acting. “I went on an interview years and years and years ago when I had a full head of blonde hair, cascading down my back,” explained Englund. “And I was all buff from surfing. And I was up for the surfer in Apocalypse Now, but I was too old.”

Englund continued, “They looked at me, and they sent me across the hall. And I got to read for Han Solo in Star Wars. Well, I didn’t get the part, because I was too young. But while I was there, I read the descriptions of the other characters. So I went home—I had a little apartment up in the hills, right near CBS studios, where Mark Hamill, my part-time roomie was starring in a show called The Texas Wheelers with Mary Tyler Moore and with Gary Busey.”

“And Mark was on my couch with a Heineken in one hand and a slab of cold pizza in the other. So, I said, ‘Mark, I think you might be right for this Luke Skykwalker,’’ explained Englund. “He got on the phone and the rest was history.”

 

[shortylickens]

At least he's working. The Jesse Stone movies and Blue Bloods.

Jesse Stone is awesome, but sadly not very popular.

Tom Cruise makes shit movies but still collects huge paychecks.

Life is funny.

 

[Thump553]

Thank God he did Mag PI. That show was amazing.

I fondly remembered Magnum PI until I caught reruns of it recently-my opinion then changed to "I used to like this sh*t?"

 

[Jumpem]

At least he's working. The Jesse Stone movies and Blue Bloods.

Both of which are great. Blue Bloods is the best show on television.

 

[mizzou]

I would've liked to see him in that role, not to take anything from Ian McKellen.

Fern

He would have been a much much different Gandalf...more menacing/serious IMO.

But Gandalf in the books had a tendency to be very fierce, something Ian Mckellan doesn't do well..he's more the petite frail old guy. I will say though...McKellan had the charm to do it proper and do it well.

 

[mizzou]

Jesse Stone is awesome, but sadly not very popular.

Tom Cruise makes shit movies but still collects huge paychecks.

Life is funny.

Meh...If Cruise wasn't such a nut case, we would look at Oblivion and some of the other movies and see them as better.

 

[shortylickens]

Meh...If Cruise wasn't such a nut case, we would look at Oblivion and some of the other movies and see them as better.

I was referring most of his 90's flicks.
And some of his 80's flicks.
A lot of them sucked, but he still kept getting hired.