As we begin the new year 2026, here is something a bit different for you. What if…..some of your favorite TV shows, movies, sports teams and stars had not made last minute changes what would they have been like? Here are some interesting and little known facts of how some changes were made and mostly for the better.

The hit movie “Forrest Gump” almost had a different lead actor to play Forrest. The producers of the movie were all in on wanting John Travolta to play the lead role. It was offered to him but Travolta turned it down, so they settled on Tom Hanks and the move paid off for both actors, Hanks got Forrest and Travolta got “Pulp Fiction”.

Did you know that prior to coming to Washington, D.C. in 1937, the NFL’s former Redskins played in Boston from 1933-36? They were the Braves in 1933 but changed to the Redskins in 1934.

The role of Archie Bunker in “All in the Family” was originally given to Mickey Rooney, but he turned it down as he did not want to play a bigot. Carroll O’Connor got the award winning role. Having only played bad guys in films critics weren’t sure O’Connor would be right for the role. They were obviously wrong.

At one time, back in the 1890’s the Brooklyn Dodgers had the name “Bridegrooms” for several years because most of the young players had gotten married. Throughout the 1900’s until 1932 the team had several different names until they officially became the Dodgers in 1932.

The role of Walter White in the groundbreaking show “Breaking Bad” was first given to Matthew Broderick, but the producers were adamant about having Bryan Cranston playing the part and the rest, as they say, is history.

What about the G.O.A.T.? Tom Brady as a MLB All Star? It might have happened if he’d chosen baseball as a career rather than football. He was highly scouted and regarded catching prospect who could hit with power. Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos, but decided to make football his sport of choice.

“Elf” has become a Christmas holiday classic thanks to the star of the film Will Ferrell, formerly of SNL. However, originally Jim Carrey signed on to play the part. Because it took several years to get the movie into production Carrey backed out and Ferrell was given the role.

In 1938 up and coming actor Gary Cooper was offered the role of Rhett Butler in the film “Gone with the Wind”. He read the script then turned it down saying he felt the movie would be a flop and not help his career. That opened the door for Clark Gable and stardom. In the end Cooper did quite well for himself anyway.

The NFL Buffalo Bills were at one time known as the Bisons. When the new ownership took over a “name the team” contest was run. The owners preferred the name that came in second in the contest, but went with the winner, the Bills. The name they really wanted was            the Buffalo Nickels.

Gywneth Paltrow turned down the iconic role of Rose in the mega box office smash hit film “Titanic” as she didn’t think the movie would do all that well and wasn’t the right fit for her. Kate Winslet would take on the role and we all know what happened with the film.

One final “what if” and it is a doozy. When Paramount was getting ready to do “The Godfather” they did not want Al Pacino to play the role of Michael Corleone. They offered the role to Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Ryan O’Neal, Dustin Hoffman and Jack Nicholson and they all turned it down. So by default, Pacino got the role and a major career boost.

We’ll have another “What If” in the future regarding changes in many areas of entertainment, sports, business and everyday life.