Actresses Screen Test Footage Of Actors Who Didn’t Get Iconic Roles
List Rules Vote up the actors you wished you could've seen in those roles.
Every actor knows the pain of auditioning. It's a constant cycle of hope, fear, and inevitable rejection for even the most talented of stars. However, for some actors, there reaches a point where auditions are no longer necessary and we can hardly imagine anyone turning them down for a part. There are some roles that we so closely associate with an actor (James Bond, Indiana Jones, Iron Man) that they're now iconic, and it's nearly impossible to picture anyone else in the role.
On the flip side, though, it may shock you that some actors who didn't get iconic roles went on to be big stars. These are examples of actors who didn't get the part. While normally the footage from auditions or screen tests are hidden from the public (sometimes for good reason) there are a few gems to be found online. Here are some screen tests from actors almost...but not quite...cast in major Hollywood roles.
Scarlett Johansson As Judy In Jumanji
Jumanji was an instant classic when it came out in 1995. It also marked a big moment in the career of young Kirsten Dunst. However, Hollywood now A-lister Scarlett Johansson had auditioned for the role as well. The role went to Dunst, but don't feel bad for Johansson; being the highest grossing actor of 2016 is a decent enough trade-off.
Age: 31
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Also Ranked
#22 on The Most Beautiful Women of All Time
#23 on The Best American Actresses Working Today
#1 on The Most Beautiful Women In Hollywood
#4 on The Most Beautiful Women Of 2018
In 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark hit screens and audiences were introduced to arguably the greatest film character of all time. While we all associate the iconic role with Harrison Ford, he actually wasn't the first choice for the film. In fact, creator George Lucas didn't want him, saying, "Oh, Steven. He's been in two of my movies. I don't want him to be my Bobby De Niro." Spielberg and Lucas landed on Tom Selleck for the role, feeling he was perfect for the hero. However, Selleck had shot a pilot for the series Magnum P.I. and was unable to get out of the contract. "[Spielberg and Lucas] held the offer out for about a month," Selleck told David Letterman. "The more they held out the offer and talked to the network the more the network said no...so I had to kind of move on." The series was a hit for Selleck but Harrison Ford ended up donning Indy's hat...and the rest is legendary.
Age: 73
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Also Ranked
#59 on The Coolest Actors Ever
#19 on Celebrities Who Should Run for President
#85 on The Hottest Men Over 40
#13 on The Best TV Actors of All Time
Kurt Russell As Han Solo In Star Wars
Back in 1977, Star Wars was released. But no one knew just how mammoth the mega-hit would become, least of all Hollywood actor Kurt Russell. Russell was in the running for both Luke Skywalker as well as Han Solo. The competition was closing in and Russell was one of the finalists for film, however the actor was offered a role in an ABC western series. He asked creator George Lucas if he was going to be cast and the role was still up in the air. Russell made a choice claiming " got to go to work, so I did the western. Clearly, made the right choice." That last part was a joke by the way, but The Thing/Big Trouble In Little China/Escape from New York/Guardians of the Galaxy 2/Hateful Eight star has done just fine for himself, after all.
Age: 67
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
Also Ranked
#36 on The Coolest Actors Ever
#63 on The Greatest Actors Who Have Never Won an Oscar (for Acting)
#41 on Celebrities Who Should Run for President
#35 on The Greatest Western Movie Stars
Jessica Alba As Agent 99 In Get Smart
The cinematic reboot of Get Smart ended up starring Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, but Jessica Alba threw her name into the ring with her audition. She didn't get the part but hey, she had time on her hands to get into Fantastic Four!
Age: 36
Birthplace: Pomona, California, United States of America
Also Ranked
#39 on The Most Beautiful Women of All Time
#3 on The Most Beautiful Women In Hollywood
#3 on The Hottest Celebrities of All Time
#43 on Famous Women You'd Want to Have a Beer With
