This week we get into one of my favorite subjects, the movies. Ever since childhood we have all had great experiences going to the movies and seeing images on the big screen that enchanted us, gave us chills, spills and laughs and tears. Throughout our lives movies, to some degree, has always been a part of our lives. But what if some of the biggest movies had gone with their original choices for lead actors or actresses, would they have as successful? What if?

Gone With the Wind – The Rhett Butler role was originally offered to Gay Cooper. He turned it down because he felt the movies was going to be a big flop and would hurt his career. So, the role went to Clark Gable and made him a major star and the film obviously was no flop and Cooper did quite well in his career.

Star Wars – When this franchise began the studio and producers had only one person in mind for the role of Hans Solo…..Al Pacino. After he read the script, he said not thanks because it was “too confusing”. That opened the door for Harrison Ford and we all know what happened after that.

Elf – Originally slated to begin in the late 1990’s Jim Carrey was signed to do the main role of Elf. But production problems kept putting the movie off and Carrey got out of his contract to do other things. When the production resumed Will Ferrell was given the role that was originally slated for Carrey.

Sleepless in Seattle – Meg Ryan was tremendous as Annie Reed in the big hit film, but the first choice for the role opposite Tom Hanks was Julia Roberts. She turned it down because she didn’t feel it was the right film for her  after her success with Pretty Woman and had other projects she was working on.

Die Hard – We all know this film franchise made Bruce Willis a major star, but he was not the first choice by the studio. They wanted Al Pacino for the role. After the Godfather films, Pacino had more roles come his way than ever before. But this one he turned down and that opened the door for Willis.

Footloose – The producers had wanted Tom Cruise to play the film’s rambunctious main man, but the star was already busy filming All the Right Moves. So they moved on and got Kevin Bacon to take on the role and do it justice. Of course Cruise’s dance moves would get seen in Risky Business.

The Godfather – there were a number of actors who were interviewed for the role of Vito Corleone but Brando was not one of them. The one actor the studio desperately wanted for the role was Jack Nicholson. he appreciated it but turned it down saying that such a major role should only be played by someone Italian. Director Francis Ford Coppola insisted on Brando and the rest became history.

Indiana Jones –We all know that Harrison Ford became an even bigger star after taking on  this role to replace the original choice who was Tom Selleck. However, because of contractual obligations to Magnum P.I. television series, Selleck couldn’t take the role leaving the door open for Harrison Ford to take it.

Forrest Gump – The producers of the film first offered the lead role to John Travolta who was an extremely popular star at the time but he didn’t feel it was a good fit for him so he turned it down. So the producers went to Tom Hanks with it and he accepted the role turning in one masterful performance. Here’s a fun fact: At the 1995 Oscars, Travolta went head-to-head for Best Actor against Gump’s Tom Hanks for his role in Pulp Fiction and lost.

Million Dollar Baby – It took a while to get this film off the ground and into production and Sandra Bullock was set as the lead. But with various delays and then getting Clint Eastwood to direct, Bullock had to drop out because she was now filming Miss Congeniality 2. So, Hillary Swank was brought in and got the role then topped it off winning the Oscar for Best Actress.

And here is a bonus from the world of television…………..

All In the Family – One of the biggest ground breaking series in TV history the show almost had a couple of different actors for lead roles. The role of “Meathead” was supposed to go to Richard Dreyfuss, but Norman Lear refused to do the show unless Rob Reiner got the role. Then the role of Archie Bunker was given to Mickey Rooney, but he refused to play Archie Bunker saying he would not play a bigot. So, Lear brought in Carroll O’ Connor, who had played bad guys in movies, to take on the role and once again, as they say, the rest was history.

Want to see how many other movie roles might have been done by other actors and why the didn’t do them? Then check out this list of 50 and be ready for even more surprises about some of your favorite films. Go to: https://bestlifeonline.com/iconic-movie-roles/ Now for some popcorn and a movie! Have a great week everyone.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN