Think of some of the silver screen's most memorable characters: Rose in Titanic, James Bond of 007, Vivian inPretty Woman, Dr. Indiana Jones. They're often the roles that made careers or staged a comeback, following its actors around forever, no matter where their IMDb pages may wander.
Now get ready to smash them to pieces!
Turns out that many of these famous roles weren't even made for the stars we so easily associate them with. Do your best to mentally photoshop each movie's surprising original casting choice into your cinematic memories with these 10 stars who turned down 10 famous roles...
Hugh Jackman as James Bond – Hugh had the abs and charm for Bond, but not the time.
"I got a call from my agent saying, 'There is some possible interest in you for Bond, are you interested?' At the time I wasn't," Hugh says to the Hollywood Reporter. "I was about to shoot X-Men 2 and Wolverine had become this thing in my life and I didn't want to be doing two such iconic characters at once."
Sofia Vergara for "The Paperboy" – In the steamy pulp flick, Sofia was originally cast opposite Zac Efron, a role that eventually went to Nicole Kidman. There's a notorious peeing scene in it and in retrospect, Sofia realized it wasn't for her. "I was so glad that I didn't have to pee in anyone's face," she tells Us Weekly.
Lindsay Lohan in "The Hangover" – Another bad career move from LiLo. The actress passed on the stripper role taken by Heather Graham in the comedy "The Hangover," reported Us Weekly. Apparently Lindsay thought the character had "no potential." That movie went on to become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever at the time.
Hugh Jackman as James Bond – Hugh had the abs and charm for Bond, but not the time.
"I got a call from my agent saying, 'There is some possible interest in you for Bond, are you interested?' At the time I wasn't," Hugh says to the Hollywood Reporter. "I was about to shoot X-Men 2 and Wolverine had become this thing in my life and I didn't want to be doing two such iconic characters at once."
Sofia Vergara for "The Paperboy" – In the steamy pulp flick, Sofia was originally cast opposite Zac Efron, a role that eventually went to Nicole Kidman. There's a notorious peeing scene in it and in retrospect, Sofia realized it wasn't for her. "I was so glad that I didn't have to pee in anyone's face," she tells Us Weekly.
Lindsay Lohan in "The Hangover" – Another bad career move from LiLo. The actress passed on the stripper role taken by Heather Graham in the comedy "The Hangover," reported Us Weekly. Apparently Lindsay thought the character had "no potential." That movie went on to become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever at the time.
Scarlett Johansson for "Les Miserables" – Technically, it was Scarlett who was turned down, but if not for laryngitis, it could've easily been hers. On the day she went to audition for Fantine for the film adaptation of the musical, Scarlet sang her heart out as best she could. But after seeing Anne Hathaway's critically praised performance, she tells Broadway Buzz she would've turned it down anyway had she been able to predict the future. "There's no possible way I ever could have topped [Anne Hathaway's] performance," Scarlett admits. "It was perfect and, I think, fateful and meant to be."
Molly Ringwald for "Pretty Woman," "Ghost," and "Scream" – From Pretty in Pink to possibly a more grown-up Pretty Woman, Molly turned down the iconic prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold role that made Julia Roberts a household name. Other roles that could've easily changed pop culture, Ghost and Scream were also turned down by Molly, and truthfully, it was all probably for the best.
Sarah Michelle Gellar for "Clueless" – As if! Sarah was tapped to be Cher and like, it's hard to like, imagine, right? Whatever, shopping in Beverly Hills wasn't exactly her speed. Sarah went on for a harder role with WB's iconic ultra ass-kicking Betty in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones – Just YouTube the screen tests of Tom portraying whip-cracking Indiana Jones. The actor was this close to wearing that floppy hat, but he was all tied up shooting "Magnum P.I." in Hawaii.
Gwyneth Paltrow for "Titanic" – If everything went according to James Cameron's plan, Gwyneth Paltrow would've been the one Leo was wrapping his arms around at the stern of the luxury ocean liner. Apparently it wasn't Gwynie's "cup of tea," she reportedly tells the press.
Julia Roberts for "The Blind Side" – It won Sandra Bullock a Best Actress Oscar, but initially Julia Roberts was the director's choice. We can see why—Julia showed her strong take-no-prisoners female side in Erin Brockovich, but apparently she has enough Academy Awards on her mantle.
Halle Berry for "Speed" – In Other Roles That Weren't Originally for Sandra Bullock, Halle was in talks to drive the runaway bus in Speed. It eventually went to Sandy, in a role that jump started her career.
Molly Ringwald for "Pretty Woman," "Ghost," and "Scream" – From Pretty in Pink to possibly a more grown-up Pretty Woman, Molly turned down the iconic prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold role that made Julia Roberts a household name. Other roles that could've easily changed pop culture, Ghost and Scream were also turned down by Molly, and truthfully, it was all probably for the best.
Sarah Michelle Gellar for "Clueless" – As if! Sarah was tapped to be Cher and like, it's hard to like, imagine, right? Whatever, shopping in Beverly Hills wasn't exactly her speed. Sarah went on for a harder role with WB's iconic ultra ass-kicking Betty in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones – Just YouTube the screen tests of Tom portraying whip-cracking Indiana Jones. The actor was this close to wearing that floppy hat, but he was all tied up shooting "Magnum P.I." in Hawaii.
Gwyneth Paltrow for "Titanic" – If everything went according to James Cameron's plan, Gwyneth Paltrow would've been the one Leo was wrapping his arms around at the stern of the luxury ocean liner. Apparently it wasn't Gwynie's "cup of tea," she reportedly tells the press.
Julia Roberts for "The Blind Side" – It won Sandra Bullock a Best Actress Oscar, but initially Julia Roberts was the director's choice. We can see why—Julia showed her strong take-no-prisoners female side in Erin Brockovich, but apparently she has enough Academy Awards on her mantle.
Halle Berry for "Speed" – In Other Roles That Weren't Originally for Sandra Bullock, Halle was in talks to drive the runaway bus in Speed. It eventually went to Sandy, in a role that jump started her career.