The stars earning from beyond the grave
But fellow comedic actress Mindy Kaling has revealed that she herself just missed out on the role that would have earned her a place in one of the funniest female casts ever.
While she is also known for playing resident bully Regina George in ‘Mean Girls,’ Rachel McAdams’ depiction of Allie Hamilton in love story ‘The Notebook’ was pivotal in her career.
Although he’s arguably more well known for the part of Han Solo from 'Star Wars,' it's hard to imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford as the face of this archaeologist’s tale.
The ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ actor turned down the role because he couldn’t get fully on board with the story.
See also: Jamie Foxx—the king of impressions.
According to creators, however, the part was meant to go to Tom Selleck, who only missed out due to complications with negotiations.
Now better known for fronting rock band The Pretty Reckless, Taylor Momsen also had an acting career that was defined by her time on The CW’s ‘Gossip Girl.’
It's hard to imagine anyone other than SJP for the role of fashionista Carrie Bradshaw in this infamous sitcom, but it almost wasn't to be.
It may have been his role as dad Hal in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ that put Bryan Cranston on the map, but it was his portrayal of science teacher turned drug dealer Walter White that made Bryan Cranston a household name.
Also recognized by many for her work on 'Saturday Night Live,' Maya Rudolph’s portrayal of funny girl Lillian is the most well known of her film appearances.
According to creators, the part that Courteney Cox went on to secure was, in fact, written for Janeane Garofalo.
‘Twilight’ author Stephanie Meyer was adamant that the part of sullen vampire Edward Cullen should go to 'Superman' star Henry Cavill.
Bennett apparently bagged the part when the first choice was fired for too-cool-for-school behavior at a casting dinner.
Admittedly, Jamie Foxx had long accepted his Oscar for 'Ray' by the time ‘Django Unchained’ came around, but it was still a career-defining role. Yet it nearly turned out very differently when Will Smith was almost cast as the protagonist.
American actress Renée Zellweger almost lost out on the career-defining role to her British counterparts Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham Carter.
Theater-trained Daniel Craig almost lost out to 'X-Men' star Hugh Jackman for the 007 role that would go on to define his film career.
Jennifer Aniston is still most often associated with the iconic role of Rachel Green. According to producers, however, the part was originally designed with co-star Courteney Cox in mind.
The creators’ favorite for the part was originally Dana Delaney, who turned down the role because she wanted to move away from sex-oriented scripts.
But she nearly lost out on the role to then-budding actress Lily Collins, daughter of English musician Phil Collins.
But Cox was apparently so impressive during her audition that showrunners were forced to reconsider.
Had Aniston accepted a position on 'Saturday Night Live' instead, the sitcom could have turned out very differently.
The part almost went to Jessica Biel instead. How different the film could have looked!
According to creators, it took a lot of persuading to cast Cranston over other competitors like John Cusack and Matthew Broderick—they simply couldn’t picture Hal as one of television’s most formidable narcotics dealers.
If it hadn’t been for the PR efforts of co-star Hugh Grant, Zellweger could have been trumped by non-believers who felt that the role of the British 30-something should be played by someone actually British.
But when it came to casting, Meyer had to concede that Cavill was too old to pass for a high schooler, and the part went to Pattinson instead.
But she reportedly nearly lost out to Julia Roberts, who bowed out of the audition process.
According to co-star Daniel Franzese, Jonathan Bennett was only second in line to play the part of Cady Heron’s crush in the hit high school comedy.
It's true that she had already found success with 'When Harry Met Sally...,' but Meg Ryan’s dalliance with Tom Hanks in this '90s classic secured her a fixed position on the rom-com scene.
Jackman was approached for the Bond part after filming the first 'X-Men' film in 2000, but he turned it down because he wanted to diversify his portfolio.
Whether they like it or not, Hollywood is packed with actors and actresses who will forever be associated with the role that first made them famous. More often than you'd think, however, the role wasn't even intended for them in the first place!
For instance, can you imagine anyone other than Ryan Gosling as Noah in 'The Notebook'? Well apparently George Clooney almost booked the part! Oh, and Paul Newman could've ended up playing the role of older Noah, which James Garner ultimately portrayed. Who says so? George Clooney himself.
Check out this gallery to find out which other stars nearly missed out on their most iconic roles.
Actors who almost missed out on their most iconic roles
George Clooney almost played Ryan Gosling's role in 'The Notebook'
CELEBRITY Characters
Whether they like it or not, Hollywood is packed with actors and actresses who will forever be associated with the role that first made them famous. More often than you'd think, however, the role wasn't even intended for them in the first place!
For instance, can you imagine anyone other than Ryan Gosling as Noah in 'The Notebook'? Well apparently George Clooney almost booked the part! Oh, and Paul Newman could've ended up playing the role of older Noah, which James Garner ultimately portrayed. Who says so? George Clooney himself.
Check out this gallery to find out which other stars nearly missed out on their most iconic roles.