Famous Movie Stars Who Turned Down Popular Roles

Julia Roberts had her breakthrough with Pretty Woman back in the day and became one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood. In 2009, she was asked to play the lead role in the adaptation for the big screen of Michael Lewis' book The Blind Side, but she politely refused. We guess it's probably a good thing that Roberts already won an Academy Award in 2001 for her work as "Erin Brockovich". Because after she turned the part down, Sandra Bullock took on the role of "Leigh Anne Tuohy"— and won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2010!

Back in 1996, Gwyneth Paltrow was actually the first choice to play the role of "Rose" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. But for reasons still unknown today, she declined the job offer. Had she only known how successful James Cameron's 'magnum opus' was going to be...!

Originally, Jennifer Lawrence was supposed to play the role of "Bella Swan" in the Twilight movies. As we all know, the part ultimately went to Kristen Stewart, and she did a superb job with it. Also, it turns out that not playing "Bella" was not really critical to Lawrence's success! Now, she is one of the most successful (and highest paid) actresses in Hollywood...

Winona Ryder withdrew from the role of "Mary Corleone" in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part III (after traveling to Rome for filming) due to exhaustion. Coppola's daughter Sofia Coppola was then cast in the role. It seems like Ryder dodged a bullet, since the film was the least successful one of the Godfather franchise.

Charlie Hunnam was actually cast for the role of "Christian Grey" in September of 2013 but one month later, the studio announced that he had withdrawn from the project. The reason— there were conflicts with the schedule of his series Sons of Anarchy. Jamie Dornan, who ended up starring in the 50 Shades franchise, probably did not mind those conflicting schedules...

Chris Pratt would probably not forgive himself today: he almost did not go to the audition for the role of "Peter Quill" in Guardians of the Galaxy after he "embarrassed" himself (as he put it) at the G.I. Joe casting call a couple of years before. These days, we are sure mighty glad Pratt changed his mind!

Rachel McAdams was wildly successful with her roles in both Mean Girls and The Notebook. However, she is considered very picky when it comes to choosing new roles. So far, she's turned down the leads in Mission: Impossible III, Casino Royale, and The Devil Wears Prada. Especially in the case of The Devil Wears Prada, she's probably still upset today. The movie helped Anne Hathaway achieve her breakthrough...

Brad Pitt was reportedly offered the role of "Jason Bourne" before Matt Damon signed up for the lead in the successful franchise based on the books by Robert Ludlum. Pitt and Damon previously worked together in Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve. While his colleague went on to play the secret agent with amnesia, let's just say NOT taking the role did NOT put a dent in Pitt's career...

Hugh Jackman missed a huge chance in 2006, when he was offered the role of "James Bond" in Casino Royale. When asked about it later by a reporter, he said: "My natural instinct is to keep as many doors open as possible." Previously portrayed by stars such as Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, the "007" role would later go to Daniel Craig.

Christina Applegate probably still regrets this one! Applegate turned down the lead in Legally Blonde because she didn't want to be cast as the 'dumb blonde' again after starring in Married... With Children as the naive "Kelly Bundy" for so many years. Reese Witherspoon landed the role instead, and the movie became a huge success!