Film Casting that Might Have Been for John Travolta and Richard Gere

I love movies. I think most people do. But sometimes when watching a film I find myself thinking "this actor isn't right for this role at all". Here are a few film roles that actors John Travolta and Richard Gere lost or passed on.

John Travolta

John Travolta is known as being the comeback kid. He's found superstar success many times only to turn around and lose it. Travolta is better known nowadays as a proponent of Scientology and a chooser of bad film roles.

American Gigolo- Travolta turned down the lead role that Richard Gere snapped up. This movie made Gere a heavy Hollywood player.

Apollo 13- Travolta was offered and turned down the role of Jim Lovell that was played by the very talented Tom Hanks. Can you hear it now "Mr. Caaarterrr we have a problem"?

Chicago- One thing that John Travolta is known for is being very light on his feet. He seemed like a natural to play the part of shady lawyer Billy Flynn. Travolta seemed to disagree and the role went to Richard Gere. I see a pattern emerging.

Donnie Brasco- Travolta was offered the role of Brasco after his Academy Award nominated role in Pulp Fiction. Travolta demanded more than the producers were willing to pay and the role went to Johnny Depp.

Forrest Gump- John Travolta actually turned down the role of Forrest Gump. The role went to Tom Hanks who won an Oscar for his efforts.

The Green Mile- According to Travolta himself he was offered the role of Paul Edgecomb but turned it down. Hanks once again snapped this role up. He wasn't nominated for an Academy Award but he should have been.

An Officer and a Gentlemen- Once again another brilliant choice by Travolta. Who knows how his career would have turned out if he had stared in this role instead of Richard Gere.

Reservoir Dogs-Quinten Tarantino actually wrote the part of Mr. Blonde for Travolta. Travolta was not interested in starring in a low budget indie film. The role of Mr. Blonde went to Michael Madsen instead. Of interest: The role of Vinnie Vega in Pulp Fiction was actually written for Michael Madsen. Madsen was unavailable for the film and Travolta was given the part that kicked off his official comeback. Mr. Blonde real name in Reservoir Dogs is Victor Vega. Victor Vega and Vinnie Vega are meant to be brothers.

Splash- John Travolta turned down the role of Allen Bauer the mermaid loving goofball. Once again Tom Hanks took a role that John Travolta had turned down.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere should be known best for his acting abilities but unfortunately that's not the case. Mr. Gere is best known for the rumor of enjoying what can best be described as gerbiling. Here are a few of Richard Gere's what might have been:

Die Hard- Richard Gere was offered the role of John McLain but he turned it down. Not only did Die Hard make Bruce Willis a superstar but it helped to reinvent the auction genera.

The Jackal- The producers of this film originally wanted Gere to play the lead role of the Jackal. Gere turned it down and opted to play the good guy. My bet is he turned down the role so he could torture the world's eardrums with his horrific Irish accent.

Traffic- Gere turned down the role of Judge Wakefield. The role went to Michael Douglas instead.

Wall Street- Richard Gere was the first choice to play Michael Douglas's part, Richard Gekko.

So what have we learned from this edition of what might have been? John Travolta gave his career away to both Tom Hanks and Richard Gere. Gere made some decent choices while Tom Hanks laughed all the way to the bank.