Who was Denied Their Role of a Lifetime?

If you are a true movie buff like me, you may also be interested in the behind the scenes gossip about your favorite films. Here is some of the most interesting that I have discovered throughout the years. I particulary like the information that uncovers the actors and actresses who didn't get their role of a lifetime, either my choice or happenstance.

Harrison Ford wasn't originally considered for the part of space cowboy Hans Solo. Lucas only brought him in to read lines during auditions for the part. Actors that were considered for this groundbreaking role included the following:

Steve Martin,
Jack Nicolson,
Nick Nolte,
Kurt Russell,
Sylvester Stallone and
Christopher Walken.

Thank heavens Lucas saw the error of his ways and put Ford exactly where he belonged all along.

Speaking of roles that alluded well known stars, Shirley Temple was an early favorite for the role of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." However, there was some worry that her voice range wasn't strong enough to carry off the singing required. While Judy Garland was a hard sell, playing a character far younger than her 16 years, she proved to be the right choice.

Elvis Presley was considered for the role of Tony in "West Side Story." He turned it down; however, because he didn't want his name connected to the kind of violence the film portrayed. I wonder if he ever regretted that decision?

Russell Crowe wasn't the first choice to play the role of Maximus in "Gladiator." That honor went to Mel Gibson. He turned it down because he thought he was too old for the character.

Seven men have played the role of James Bond. Many more men were considered for the part over the years. Here is a list of some of the most famous:

Christian Bale,
Eric Bana,
James Brolin,
Richard Burton,
Gerard Butler,
Henry Cavill,
Clint Eastwood,
Colin Farrell,
Colin Firth,
Mel Gibson,
Cary Grant,
Hugh Grant,
Rex Harrison,
Hugh Jackman,
Jude Law,
Heath Ledger,
Chistopher Lambert,
Christopher Lee,
Tom Jones,
Julian McMahan,
Liam Neeson,
Sam Neill,
David Niven,
Clive Owen,
Robert Pattinson,
Steve Reeves,
Burt Reynolds,
Will Smith,
Goran Visnjic,
Adam West and
Sam Worthington.

The odd choice of Christopher Lee was actually made by the author of the Bond series Ian Fleming. Henry Cavill, on the other hand, is getting ready to play the man of steel in the new version of "Superman".

Actor Liam Neeson, now known for his action films like "Taken," originally had no interest in becoming an action figure. That's why he turned down the role of a lifetime as Britian's bad boy spy, James Bond.

The list of actresses considered for the role of Scarlett O'Hara was even longer. Nearly 130 actresses were looked at. They included:

Jean Arthur,
Lucille Ball,
Clara Bow,
Tallulah Bankhead,
Joan Bennett,
Joan Crawford,
Claudette Colbert,
Doris Davenport,
Bette Davis,
Irene Dunne,
Alice Faye,
Joan Fontaine,
Janet Gaynor,
Paulette Goddard,
Susan Hayward,
Katherine Hepburn,
Mirim Hopkins,
Dorothy Lamour,
Carole Lombard,
Myrna Loy,
Ginger Rogers,
Merle Oberon,
Maureen O'Sullivan,
Anne Sheridan,
Norma Shearer,
Barbara Stanwyck,
Gloria Stuart,
Margaret Sullavan,
Lana Turner,
May West,
Jane Wyman and
Loretta Young.

Most of them were American. In the end; however, it was Britain's stunningly beautiful Vivian Leigh who proved to have the right stuff.

Check back in for more movie trivia in the future.

RESOURCES:

"Cinema by Year" by David Thomason, Dorling Kindersley Limited