30 Celebrities Who Didn’t Get the Part

October 28, 2008 · Filed Under General

We’ve been talking a lot lately about celebrities who passed up roles for some reason or another, but what about celebrities who tried out for roles and didn’t get the gig?

Not all actors are just offered parts.

Many audition or express interest and are turned down. Check out Glamorati’s list of 30 Celebrities Who Didn’t Get the Part.

Some you may be thankful for and some may surprise you.

Jessica Alba – Auditioned for the part of Elektra in “Dare Devil, a role which ended up going to Jennifer Garner.
Marlon Brando – One of several who auditioned for the role of Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” but lost out to Robert Redford.
Alec Baldwin – Turned down for several roles including Sam in “Ghost”, Batman in two of the Batman movies and Andy Garcia’s role (Vincent) in the Godfather III.
Sandra Bullock – Lost out to Julia Roberts in “Runaway Bride.”
Nicolas Cage – Turned down for the role of John Bender in “The Breakfast Club.”
Jim Carrey – Lost the part of Howard Hughes in “The Aviator” to Leonardo DiCaprio. Jim also lost out to Johnny Depp for “Willy Wonka” and it’s rumored he auditioned to be Ferris Bueller.
John Cleese – Was considered for the role of Willy Wonka but he too lost out to Johnny Depp.
Courtney Cox – Auditioned for the role of Princess Buttercup in “The Princess Bride”.
Robert DeNiro – Considered for the role of Willy Wonka but lost out to Johnny Depp, also considered for the role of Sal in “Do the Right Thing,” the role of Hannibal Lechter in “Silence of the Lambs,” and the role of Cowboy in “The Warriors”.
Johnny Depp – Lost the role of Johnny Blaze in “Ghost Rider” to Nicolas Cage, the role of Mr.Smith to Brad Pitt, and the role of Jack in “Titanic.”
Clint Eastwood -Considered to play the part of Rambo in “First Blood.”
Emilio Estevez – Lost the lead role in Gremlins to Zach Galigan.
Harrison Ford – Lost the part of Sam Bowden in Cape Fear to Nick Nolte. Ford was also considered for the role of Sam in “Ghost” and Tom Hanks’ Academy Award nominated role in “Saving Private Ryan.”
Mel Gibson - Auditioned to play Mozart in “Amadeus” and lost the part to Tom Hulce. He also lost out to Robin Williams in “The Dead Poet’s Society”.
Whitney Houston – Considered for the lead role in “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
Billy Idol – Was strongly considered to play Jim Morrison in “The Doors.”
Hugh Jackman – Lost the role of Robert Langdon in “The DaVinci Code” to Tom Hanks.
Ashton Kutcher - Turned down for the role of Batman in “Batman Begins,” and the role of Superman in “Superman Returns.”
Courtney Love - Didn’t get the parts of Marla Singer in “Fight Club”, Dorothy in “Jerry Maguire” and the lead role in “Moulin Rouge.”
Michael Madsen – Considered for Woody Harrelson’s role in “Natural Born Killers,” and the role of Marv in “Sin City.”
Paul Newman – Lost the role of “Dirty” Harry Callahan to Clint Eastwood. Also, auditioned for the lead in “Ironweed” and lost to Jack Nicholson. considered for the role of James Bond in “Live and Let Die,” tested for the role of Superman and considered for the lead in the musical “Oklahoma!”
Jack Nicholson – Lost the role of Benjamin Braddock in “The Graduate” to Dustin Hoffman and the role of Jay Gatsby to Robert Redford.
Gwyneth Paltrow – One of the contenders for Samantha in “Bewitched” and lost the role of Roxie in “Chicago.”
Brad Pitt - Though the part went to Matt Damon, “The Bourne Identity” was written with Brad Pitt in mind. Brad also lost the role of Willy Wonka, Inman in “”Cold Mountain” and it’s rumored he lost the lead role in “Rock Star” to Mark Wahlberg.
Keanu Reeves - Turned down for the role of Charlie Babbit in “Rain Man,” Wolverine in “X-Men,” and Aragorn in “Lord of the Rings.”
Ally Sheedy – Turned down for a lead in “League of their Own” and Molly Ringwald’s role in “Sixteen Candles.”
Meryl Streep – Lost the part of Evita to Madonna.
John Travolta - Turned down for a part in “Apollo 13,” and also lost the roles of “Donnie Brasco” and Jim Morrison.
Mark Wahlberg - Considered for the lead in “Cinderella Man.”
Ben Affleck – Auditioned for the part of Les Anderson in “License to Drive.” Instead the part went to Corey Haim.