Should actors say yes to every single role they’re offered? Of course not, even though for some names that seems the case. Even if there’s a chance something becomes a hit, you can’t overwork yourself with no guarantee, in particular if your name itself has already become a sort of brand.
So now we’re here to congratulate these following actors on their smart decision making, since they all dodge a bullet by saying no to all these problematic films. In many cases, you’ll notice that it makes perfect sense for them to have said no, but the fact that they were offered the role is entertaining nonetheless.
Keanu Reeves, Speed 2: Cruise Control
Instead of reprising his role, Keanu chose to tour with his band, Dogstar, and perform Shakespeare. It was a good call. The 1997 sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, became one of Hollywood’s most infamous box office bombs.
Madonna, Showgirls
Madonna was offered the lead but said she’d only do it with a full script rewrite. The studio refused, having already paid $2 million for it. She later called the movie a “legendary Vegas stripper flop” with zero regrets.
Will Smith, Superman Returns
Will Smith was considered for the lead in 2006’s Superman Returns, but he passed. While the movie wasn’t a total disaster, it didn’t quite relaunch the franchise as hoped, and Smith’s career continued to soar without it.
Matt Damon, Daredevil
A huge fan of the comic, Damon was offered the role before his friend Ben Affleck but “chickened out.” He disliked the script and didn’t know the director, so he passed on the dull and unconvincing 2003 film.
Ashley Judd, Catwoman
Ashley Judd was in the running for the lead role in the 2004 Catwoman movie. The part eventually went to Halle Berry, and the film became one of the most famously panned comic book movies ever made.
Rihanna, Cats
Rihanna was offered a part in the big-screen version of the musical Cats, but she turned it down. Given the 2019 film’s bizarre visuals and massive box office losses from its $100 million budget, that was a smart move.
Winona Ryder, The Godfather Part III
Winona Ryder was cast as Mary Corleone but had to drop out right before filming began. While not a total bomb, 1990’s The Godfather Part III is widely seen as the weakest entry in the legendary trilogy.
Val Kilmer, Batman & Robin
After clashing with the director on Batman Forever, Val Kilmer didn’t return for the sequel. Scheduling conflicts were the official reason, but it saved him from the infamous flop that was 1997’s Batman & Robin.
Vin Diesel, Triple-X: State of the Union
After the success of 2002’s Triple-X, Vin Diesel declined to return for the sequel. The studio moved on without him, casting Ice Cube in 2005’s Triple-X: State of the Union, which failed to capture the original’s magic.
Jack Nicholson, The Bonfire of the Vanities
Director Brian De Palma wanted Jack Nicholson for a key role, but he passed. The studio then pushed for Bruce Willis in the part, leading to a notoriously miscast film that became a huge critical and financial failure.
Robin Williams, Howard the Duck
The legendary Robin Williams was the first voice of Howard, but he quit after just a few days. He found it impossible to match his fast-paced improv style to the movements of the animatronic duck’s bill in the 1986 film.
Harrison Ford, Basic Instinct 2
It took over a decade to get Basic Instinct 2 made, and Harrison Ford was one of many big names considered for the male lead along the way. He wisely passed, avoiding the critically slammed and unsuccessful sequel.
Bradley Cooper, Green Lantern
It came down to Bradley Cooper and Ryan Reynolds for the lead in 2011’s Green Lantern. The director reportedly preferred Cooper, but the studio cast Reynolds and the film ultimately flopped, failing to launch a new franchise.
Russell Crowe, Alexander
Russell Crowe was reportedly considered for Oliver Stone’s historical epic. The $150 million film was a disaster in the US, with Stone blaming American “fundamentalism” for its rejection at the box office. Crowe dodged a big one.
Jim Carrey, Dumb and Dumberer
When it came time to make the prequel, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Jim Carrey flat-out refused. He felt that trying to recreate the magic of the first film was a bad idea, and he was right. Too bad he went back on that decision for the sequel.
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