7 Stars Who Refused Legendary Movie Parts

Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Roles Radiocity By Radiocity Team Published Jun 13, 2025 [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

Will Smith Passed on the role of Neo in The Matrix, fearing a sci-fi flop—only to see Keanu Reeves turn it into a global phenomenon. [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

Emily Blunt Opting out of playing Bella Swan in Twilight, citing a dislike for vampires, Kristen Stewart stepped in and launched a franchise. [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

Tom Selleck Turned down Indiana Jones because of Magnum P.I. commitments, leading Spielberg to cast Harrison Ford instead. [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

John Travolta Declined Forrest Gump, unsure about the script; Tom Hanks’s career-defining performance followed. [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

Christopher Walken Refused Han Solo in Star Wars, believing pawning blasters wasn’t heroic—Harrison Ford sealed the role. [{ "selector": ".custom-gradient", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ { "offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(100px)" }, { "offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)" } ] }]

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