Casting can make or break a movie. That’s why the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences isadding an Oscar for casting achievement.A stellar script should be the starting point. And there are a million other factors along the way: the cinematography, the soundtrack, the editing, and a director who can orchestrate all those elements together. Butfinding the ideal actor for a role is the capstone that brings it all together.Casting directors don’t always get the credit they deserve, but some of the most iconic performances are due to their efforts.
Andrea Romanofamously worked onBatman: The Animated Seriesand helpedBruce TimmfindKevin Conroy, who became the definitive version of Batman.Kerry Bardenwas the casting director forShakespeare in Love, one of the movies discussed here, as well asPrisonersandDallas Buyers Club. All of these movies could have been wildly different had fate swung the other way. Imagine Neo inThe Matrix, but notKeanu Reeves; instead, it’sSandra Bullock.A different actor has a different tone, a different delivery, and a different attitude.How might the industry have been impacted if these actors had been cast instead?
10The Fountain (2006)
The Fountain, directed byDarren Aronofsky, is a trippy time twister starringHugh Jackmanas Tom andRachel Weiszas Izzi. The film follows three timelines in which Tom seeks the gift of immortality and strives to hold on to his love. It struggled to gain traction at the box office, much like Aronofsky struggled to get the movie off the ground. In 2002, he castBrad PittandCate Blanchettin the lead roles of Tom and Izzi. However, he had to reset whenPitt left over disagreements on the script.
Despite its challenges, The Fountain found a home with fans, earning a 74% audience score onRotten Tomatoes. Now, with its own cult following, it’s hard to envision anyone but Weisz and Jackman in the roles.Still, one can’t help but imagine what Pitt and Blanchett would have delivered. Interested viewers can get a glimpse of what it would have been like from the two films they later starred in together,BabelandThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The Fountain
9Jumanji (1995)
Scarlett Johansson as Judy Shepherd
In 1994, whenJumanjiwas being developed,Kirsten Dunstwas just coming off two major credits to her name in the form ofInterview with the VampireandLittle Women.Scarlett Johanssonhad only just debuted in a film calledNorth.One that critics had unfortunately panned.Sony Pictures ended up going with the more experienced Dunst, butboth actresses have since built extensive and storied filmographies.
Johansson landedThe Horse Whispererat only 13 and gained critical appreciation. By 2003, she had earned Golden Globe nominations for her work inThe Girl with a Pearl EarringandSofia Coppola’sLost in Translation. Dunst did the inconceivable by holding her own while playing oppositeRobin Williams. She then went on to star in her own Coppola films,The Virgin SuicidesandMarie Antoinette. It’s interesting to note that both ladies would also star as Marvel characters, with Johansson playing Black Widow and Dunst as Mary Jane.
8Casino Royale (2006)
Hugh Jackman as James Bond
A new Bond is a tricky transition to achieve. James Bond has been portrayed by seven different actors over his sixty-two-year career. WhenCasino Royalewas in production, it was up to the filmmakers to once again cast the perfect 007 agent.Before they settled onDaniel Craig, Hugh Jackman was in the running.
It’s not hard to picture Hugh in a tuxedo, ordering the signature martini, but Craig had undeniable charisma. It helped that he was less known, allowing viewers not to be distracted by a major star. Jackman had already found fame wearing the claws of the Wolverine in the X-Men movies. Considering the film holds 94% and 90% onRotten Tomatoes, both gentlemen ended up right where they should be. Craig has recently mentioned hanging up the bowtie, which has led to tons of buzz and debate online as fanstry to guess who will next pick up the title of Bond, James Bond.
Casino Royale
7Pulp Fiction (1994)
Laurence Fishbourne as Jules Winnfield
Pulp Fictionmay be the most famous of directorQuentin Tarantino’s works. The script won him an Academy Award, and the film gained dozens of other nominations and awards. The film’s duo ofSamuel L. JacksonandJohn Travoltaas Jules and Vincent is iconic among movie-loving fans. The dialogue is frequently quoted even today, withJules being considered the most quotable character of all.
What would it have looked like hadLaurence Fishburnebeen cast as Jules instead? Fishburne had freshly come fromWhat’s Love Got to Do with ItandSearching for Bobby Fischer.As a phenomenal actor, he likely would have delivered an excellent performance.But would the chemistry between him and Travolta have sizzled quite the same? Would their easy arguing have had the same vibe? Fishburne says it was a matter of the handling of heroin in the film. “I felt like it made heroin use attractive. For me, it’s not just my character. It’s ‘What is this whole thing saying?’.”
Pulp Fiction
6Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Julia Roberts and Daniel Day-Lewis as Viola De Lesseps and Will Shakespeare
Edward Zwickwas initially producingShakespeare in Loveand planned on havingJulia Robertslead the film as Viola De Lesseps. Zwick states that Roberts was adamant thatDaniel Day-Lewiswould be her leading man. Unfortunately, Day-Lewis had already committed toIn the Name of the Father,and production for the movie conflicted. When Zwick attempted to find another leading man, none were found suitable by Roberts, and she eventually left the film.
After some time in limbo with Universal, Miramax stepped in to get the ball rolling again.Gwyneth Paltrowwas chosen to portray Viola, alongsideJoseph Fiennesas their Shakespeare. The two were surrounded by immense talent, includingDame Judi Dench,Geoffrey Rush,Colin Firth,Tom Wilkinson, and evenBen Affleck. Between the simmering chemistry of the pair’s Romeo and Juliet anda script from Tony Award-winning playwright Tom Stoddard(who elevated a draft byMarc Norman), it’s no surpriseShakespeare in Lovewon seven Oscars,including Best Picture over Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.
Shakespeare in Love
5Donnie Darko (2001)
Vince Vaughn as Donnie Darko
The world may never have seenDonnie Darkowithout Christopher Nolan’s support. Written and directed byRichard Kelly, the movie struggled to gain a distributor before Newmarket Films asked for the opinion of one of its newest directors. They had recently distributed Nolan’sMementoto a warm reception that earned their trust. He and Drew Barrymore were able to convince Newmarket to give the film a theatrical release.
Long before Donnie’s debut at Sundance in 2001,Vince Vaughnwas approached four times, despite his objections about playing a 16-year-old. He was 31 at the time. He wasn’t the only unusual choice.Mark Wahlbergwas approached, but Kelly dropped him when he bizarrely asked to play Donnie with a lisp. As odd as it may seem, it’s not hard to see why Vaughn would have been in the running.Vaughn had recently been inPsychoandThe Cell, embracing darker subject matter and stretching his dramatic wings.
Donnie Darko
4Gravity (2013)
Robert Downey Jr. and Angelina Jolie as Matt Kowalski and Ryan Stone
Gravitystars Sandra Bullock andGeorge Clooneyas astronauts struck bydebris, an all-too-real and terrifying danger. A critical darling,Gravitywas a welcome-back film for Bullock, and the timing of production had a lot to do with its casting.Robert Downey Jr.had been signed in 2010, butAngelina Joliehad originally been targeted for the role of Ryan Stone, whose back the film rests largely on. Unfortunately, she had a hectic schedule working on her directorial debut,Unbroken, and negotiations ceased.
The film struggled to find the right leading lady until Bullock happened to return from her hiatus.The clouds cleared, and production could begin, but RDJ was no longer available. He was headed off to work onThe AvengersandIron Man 3.Luckily, Clooney had a window of time free that worked perfectly.Alfonso Cuaron’s cosmic drama went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Achievement in Directing. The stars had aligned just as they ought to.
3The Matrix (1999)
Sandra Bullock as Neo
Speaking of Sandra Bullock, she almost played Neo in theWachowski Sisters’The Matrix. Given the popularity ofThe Matrix, many would find it hard to envision Bullock in Keanu Reeves' most iconic role. It came down to a connection between Bullock and producerLorenzo di Bonaventura, who had worked with her previously onDemolition Man. The studio wanted a big name, and she was one.
Ultimately, despite their willingness to gender-bend Neo for her, Bullock felt she was wrong for the role. She later regretted not taking the role of Trinity, which was also offered, but she thoughtCarrie-Anne Mosswas incredible and believed thatthe right people were cast in the end. This is undoubtedly true. The film was a rocking success and becameone of the most parodied works of fiction ever.And you know what they say about parody…
The Matrix
2Batman Returns (1992)
Sean Young as Catwoman (Selina Kyle)
WhenTim Burtonwas putting togetherBatman Returns, withMichael Keatonreturning as Batman, the question of who would play Catwoman was paramount. Catwoman had long been Batman’s counterbalance, both his love interest and foil, not to mention his rooftop dance partner.Sean Youngwas itching to be the one to don the catsuit, but there’s quite a bit of backstory as to why. Originally, Young was set to play Vicki Vale in 1989’sBatman.
While practicing her horse-riding skills for a scene that ended up being cut from the movie, she took a fall and had to be replaced byKim Basinger. WhenBatman Returnsrolled around,Young felt the role of Catwoman would help make up for the loss she suffered. To her surprise, Burton wouldn’t entertain the idea, even aftershe took to the Joan Rivers show in her version of a catsuit. As lovely an actress as Young is,Michelle Pfeifferabsolutely slayed in her stitched leather.
Batman Returns
1Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Glenn Howerton as Star-Lord (Peter Quill)
The gang from theGuardians of the Galaxywas almost led by a member of the gang fromIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. DirectorJames Gunnhas statedhe doesn’t like discussing castingsas they are a personal matter. But in this case,Glenn Howertonmade the news public first, and Gunn confirmed it. As Dennis Reynolds, Howerton has shown great comedic talent and easy chemistry with his team, traits perfect for the role of Peter Quill.
However,Parks and Rec’sChris Prattwalked away with the role and did a fantastic job with it. Many consider the entire trilogy to be the strongest in theMCU, thanks in large part to the acting talents of Pratt and the whole gang. Fans of Howerton shouldn’t lose hope yet, though! With Gunn in charge of the new DCU,one popular idea would be for Howerton to take on a role that is, in many ways, DC’s answer to the character Star-Lord, Booster Gold.
Guardians of the Galaxy
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