10. Black Widow- IRON MAN 2
Scarlett Johansson may have kicked butt as the undercover spy in Iron Man 2, but the part was actually meant for Emily Blunt. Blunt had to pass because Gulliver’s Travels kept her busy, which opened the door for Johansson to step into a blockbuster franchise. The swap reshaped the movie’s energy, giving a new dynamic to the way a female lead could balance action with vulnerability. Johansson’s Black Widow would go on to anchor a wider mythos across multiple films, influencing how audiences perceive capable female heroes in modern superhero cinema.
9. Alice- ALICE IN WONDERLAND Anne Hathaway passed on the lead in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, seeking something more challenging than a dressy White Queen role. She has explained that she wanted to avoid repeating a character type she had already played in The Princess Diaries. The door opened for Mia Wasikowska to step into the title and bring a different energy to the film. Hathaway later built a varied catalog of roles, showing that choices beyond big franchises can shape a star’s career path.
8. Jake Sully- AVATAR Matt Damon nearly landed the blue-tinted lead, but a scheduling clash with The Bourne Ultimatum kept him away. Sam Worthington eventually took the role, guiding James Cameron’s groundbreaking project toward worldwide success. Cameron also considered Jake Gyllenhaal, a name the director reportedly liked for the tone of the character. The decision helped Avatar become a household phenomenon and kickstarted a visual era in cinema that blended cutting-edge effects with intimate character moments.
7. Indiana Jones- INDIANA JONES Tom Selleck came incredibly close to donning the fedora after early talks, only to find that Magnum P.I. kept him from shooting the film. Harrison Ford had already built a rapport with George Lucas, and the rest is history. Ford’s gruff humor and rugged presence defined the archetype, allowing the character to survive decades of adventures and become a cultural touchstone in action cinema.
6. Spider Man – SPIDER-MAN In Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, the battle for Peter Parker’s face involved several strong contenders. Freddie Prinze Jr. was among the near-picks, but Raimi ultimately settled on Tobey Maguire. The choice shaped the film’s tone, the actor’s chemistry with co-stars, and the franchise’s evolution through the early 2000s, leaving a lasting imprint on superhero cinema and popular culture.
5. Forrest Gump- FORREST GUMP Before Tom Hanks stepped into Forrest Gump, John Travolta was considered for the title role. Travolta has since acknowledged that he might have made different artistic choices in that moment. The decision to cast Hanks brought warmth, humor, and a quiet resilience that carried the film through sweeping episodes of history and emotion, turning an ordinary man into a global symbol of perseverance and kindness.
4. Neo- THE MATRIX Keanu Reeves finally became Neo after Will Smith declined the part to pursue Wild Wild West, a decision that is still debated by fans. Reeves brought a blend of laconic cool and unexpected depth that helped redefine action performance and storytelling in science fiction. The result reshaped not only a career but also the look and feel of a genre that continues to influence cinema today.
3. Marty McFly- BACK TO THE FUTURE Eric Stoltz started filming as Marty McFly, but his portrayal failed to land the film’s signature spark. After weeks of shooting, Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg decided that a different actor was needed. Michael J. Fox stepped in, bringing energetic timing and a spark that launched a beloved trilogy and a lasting cultural memory for generations of fans.
2. James Bond- CASINO ROYALE Hugh Jackman was among the actors considered for Bond before Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale, bringing a different magnetic appeal to the role. Craig offered a grittier, more grounded interpretation that revitalized the franchise for the modern era, while still honoring the spy’s signature instincts and charm. The decision helped redefine what audiences expect from 007 in the twenty-first century.
1. Han Solo- STAR WARS Several accomplished stars including Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Al Pacino and Christopher Walken were linked to the part of Han Solo before Harrison Ford secured the role. Ford earned George Lucas’s trust by stepping in to read lines during other actors’ auditions, and his improvisational energy won the part. The choice carved a lasting presence in cinema history, shaping the beloved rebel through decades of adventures.