Top 10 Actors Who Refused a Role for Surprising Reasons

Not the reasons you'd think! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the strangest, funniest and most surprising reasons actors turned down a role. Our countdown includes actors Eddie Murphy, Tom Cruise, Bette Midler and more! Which of these actors would you have most liked to see take the role they turned down?

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#actors #xmen #godfather #misery #goldeneye #liamneeson #bond #casting

[WatchMojo]

Which of these roles CAN you imagine with a different actor? And which is it just IMPOSSIBLE to recast? Let us know in the comments!

[TheCommenterDragon]

Honestly, I'm glad that Tom Cruise didn't get cast as Edward Scissorhands. Johnny Depp's performance gave the character so much more life and emotional depth. And it made him iconic!

[hunterolaughlin]

I think it’s for the best Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Eddie Murphy weren’t casted in the roles mentioned in this list as the actors that were casted give great performances as is that it’s hard to think of any other actor playing their respective roles.

[RainesProductions]

I can't blame Jet Li for passing.

[ismailmayet]

Bob Hoskins was perfect in Who Framed Roger Rabbit can’t really imagine anybody else still the movie is hugely enjoyable even today

[eugeniapatroncosta]

Well, Russell and Hugh are besties; and both started the 21th century with gold.

[THANATOS-PRIME]

It’s well known that Jody Foster refused to return to her iconic role as Clarice Starling for the 2001 sequel Hannibal by Ridley Scott.

Apparently, she read the book and really hated the direction. They were going to take Clarice at the end. Seems kind of redundant, considering they didn’t even go with the books ending in the theatrical cut of the film.

The movie itself is one of the weaker entries in the series of man. It would’ve been great to see her. I think alongside Anthony Hopkins again with Gary Oldman.

[forcesensitive]

Erm....Reloaded was the 2nd movie in The Marix Saga, not the 3rd.

[trinaq]

These actors turning down iconic roles turned out to be for the best, especially Eddie Murphy. You simply can't imagine anyone other than Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant.

[Arkhamfrost]

RUSSELL WAS GONNA BE WOLVERINE?! HUH?! Bro could you imagine that timeline? 😮 that would be strange…cuz I’m use to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

[buffylow]

Come on no offense to Russell Crowe but Hugh Jackman is Wolverine! Nobody does it better! Which is why Ryan Reynolds wanted him in Deadpool 3!

[vickiwhite]

I can't picture Tom Cruise playing Edward. It wouldn't have worked. And Kathy is the perfect choose for Misery. Thank you Eddie Murphy for turning down Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

[zirk]

Brosnan was an epic Bond, but I would have loved to see Neeson as Bond aswell.
Maybe he could be a villain at some point

[benarizola]

Yes, Liam Neeson made the right choice but boy he would of been an epic 007.

[Jeremiah_Rivers]

Michael Keaton doing _Batman Forever_ would’ve worked with a better screenplay, but we have a campy final cut with Val Kilmer.

[Toledotourbillion]

Sean Connery turned down Gandalf as he didn't get the story.

[dalayarichardson]

Emma Robert’s turning down spring breakers and suicide squad is crazy

[Sandlot]

Robin Williams turning down the role for Drop Dead Fred, hands down!

[jackrodakthemovieguy]

There were a couple of comedic talents who auditioned for the part in Roger Rabbit.
But honestly, with how serious and straight forward Bob Hoskins is, he made the role what it is meant to be

[Kjos_jax]

I always found it. Strange that at the end of Edward scissorhands everyone acts like they don't know if Edward is still alive when he is literally a quarter of a mile uphill from them...