15 Iconic Comedy Roles That Almost Went To Completely Different Actors
I can’t imagine some of these movies with any other actor than the one who played in them.
Actors are typically either offered a role or have to audition for it, but they don’t always accept the role. Sometimes actors are busy, or they don’t necessarily align with the film or the character, so they turn it down.
Fortunately, this is what happened with some of these movies. I say fortunately because I think we can all agree that these films wouldn’t be the same without the comedic actors who took on the roles.
We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves if Will Ferrell had never played Buddy the Elf. Many of these comedy roles are extremely iconic and classics in most of our households.
Comedy roles are crucial and a bit challenging because you really need to have the perfect actor for the part. I can’t imagine any of these movies with different actors, though.
I think they did an amazing job casting them, so I feel sorry for the actors who didn’t get the roles. Anyway, we’ve gathered some of the most iconic comedy movies so we can take a look at who almost got the roles instead of the actors who were ultimately cast.
Let’s dive into it and see who almost landed these famous comedy roles.
1. Johnny Depp as Ferris Bueller.
Matthew Broderick is known for his performance in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but what would you think if Johnny Depp had played this role instead? Depp was offered the part, but it just didn't fit into his schedule at the time.
American Zoetrope2. Jim Carrey as Buddy The Elf.
When the film began production, Jim Carrey was actually the first choice for the role. When it finally came time to film the movie, Jim Carrey didn't have time for it in his work schedule, so the part was given to Will Ferrell.
Columbia Pictures3. John Travolta as Forrest Gump.
You wouldn't believe that John Travolta was the first choice for the film Forrest Gump. He was actually going to take the role, but he decided to be in Pulp Fiction instead, so the Forrest Gump role went to Tom Hanks.
Paramount Pictures Studios
4. Christina Applegate as Elle Woods.
Christina Applegate was almost the star of Legally Blonde, but of course, it went to Reese Witherspoon. Applegate later stated that she regretted not taking the role, but she acknowledged that Reese did an amazing job.
Fox
5. Tom Lennon as Ron Swanson.
Tom Lennon almost made it as Ron Swanson, but fortunately, Nick Offerman got the role, and it fits perfectly.
Cherry Garcia Productions
6. Reese Witherspoon as Cher Horowitz (Clueless).
Reese Witherspoon was almost cast as Cher Horowitz because the director loved Reese's work. Despite that, she decided to cast Alicia instead, stating, "Alicia is Cher," and she is.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
7. Tiffani Thiessen as Rachel on Friends & Matt LeBlanc on Modern Family
Tiffani Thiessen was one of the actresses asked to audition for the role of Rachel; however, she wasn't cast because she was only 20 years old. Jennifer Aniston was 25 years old and was still the youngest member of the cast.
Matt LeBlanc, from Friends, was also almost cast in Modern Family, but he declined the role, stating that he felt he wasn't the best fit for it.
8. Tom Hanks in When Harry Met Sally
Many different actors were considered for the role of Harry, including Tom Hanks. Eventually, they decided to go with Billy Crystal to play Harry in the film.
Columbia Pictures
9. Robin Williams as Hagrid.
Robin Williams actually reached out to J.K. Rowling to ask if he could play the part of Hagrid; however, Rowling declined, as her goal was to have an entirely British cast.
Columbia Pictures
10. Dana Delany as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City.
Dana Delany was actually considered for the role of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, but she turned it down. They cast Sarah Jessica Parker in the role, and it's said that Dana does regret her decision.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
11. Bob Odenkirk as Michael Scott.
Odenkirk actually made it extremely far in the audition process. Even the directors said that The Office still would have worked if they had cast Odenkirk as Michael Scott.
NBC Universal
12. Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly.
Eric Stoltz actually filmed for the part of Marty McFly, but the directors eventually removed him because they said they needed someone with more comic flair.
Paramount Pictures
13. T.J. Miller as Schmidt on New Girl.
T.J. Miller had the chance to play Schmidt in New Girl, but his audition didn't do him justice as he took things just a little bit too far.
20th Century Studios
14. Jon Hamm as Jack Donaghy.
This show was actually made with Alec Baldwin in mind, but Jon Hamm almost got the role. Fortunately, he had other plans, so the role still went to Baldwin.
Universal Pictures
It's hard to imagine some of these classics with someone completely different in the roles. This really proves just how much the actors become the characters for those of us who love watching movies and television shows.
Was there a movie you think should have been cast differently?
