Other Actors Considered For Famous Roles

Dr. No (1962): Sean Connery made history as British secret service agent James Bond. But could you see Cary Grant or Patrick Magoohan (The Prisoner) as 007. Or even a much younger Roger Moore.


The Godfather (1972): Al Pacino hit the big time playing Michael Corleone but could you imagine Warren Beatty in that part. How about Jack Nicholson or Ryan O'Neal? Actors considered to play Vito Corleone include Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra and Danny Thomas.

Star Wars (1977): Robert Englund, who later found fame as Freddie Kruger in the Nightmare On Elm Street movies, auditioned for the part of Luke Skywalker. So did William Katt, Perry King and Bruce Boxleitner.
James Caan, Nick Nolte and Al Pacino were all considered to play Han Solo, while Cindy Williams, Jodie Foster and Eve Plumb (of the Brady Bunch?!) were up for Princess Leia. How about Orson Welles as the voice of Darth Vader.

Superman (1978): Both Warren Beatty and Jeff Bridges were considered for the part of Clark Kent / Superman. So were James Caan, Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Ryan O'Neal. Carrie Fisher and Jessica Lange were considered for Lois Lane. Dustin Hoffman turned down the role of Lex Luthor.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981): Can you imagine someone else other than Harrison Ford in the fedora? How about Jeff Bridges or Willem Dafoe? Others who auditioned were Sam Neill, Tom Selleck and Nick Nolte.

Back To The Future (1985): Eric Stoltz (Mask) originally was cast to play Marty McFly but was replaced by Michael J. Fox and the rest, as they say, is history. Both Ralph Macchio and C. Thomas Howell were up for the part as well. Jeff Goldblum and John Lithgow were both considered to play Doc Brown.

The Lord Of The Rings (Trilogy 2001-2003): Sean Connery as Gandalf? Russell Crowe or Daniel Day-Lewis as Aragon?? Jake Gyllenhaal as Frodo??? Hard to imagine but all were considered.