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It ’s fair to say that there are a tidy sum of welfare to being a Hollywood pic adept – but that does n’t mean there are n’t downside , either . Maybe the adult challenge actors face on a regular cornerstone – other than trying to keep their private lives , y’know , “ individual ” – is choosing their next function .
This might not sound like too much of a quandary . imagine about it : could you tell whether or not a motion picture was give out to be a smash , just by flicking through the script ?
Make no mistake , it ’s vitally important for actors – even those on the A - list who command astronomical salary – to consistently appear in commercially successful films , in club to retain their loge billet viability in the center of movie studio executive .
Yet despite their very dear travail , many of the biggest name in the business have pass off up the opportunity to feature in stumble movies that would almost certainly have had a confirming wallop on their careers .
True , actors are n’t exactly interchangeable , and there ’s no guarantee that a popular picture would have worked as well as it did with an alternative plaster bandage fellow member substituted in . However it ’s surd not argue that a well - written part couple with a gifted performing artist is probable to yield dividend .
On the other paw , history is luckily also chock full of instances where industry veteran soldier shrewdly avoided take part in cinematic field day that tanked financially - and often times , critically , as well .
With this in nous , we ’ve rounded up this listing of11 Actors Who Turned Down Hit Movies ( And 9 Who Dodged Major Flops ) .
Hit: Nicolas Cage – The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky ’s 2008 dramaThe Wrestlernetted rave reviews and glance over in $ 44.7 million on a $ 6 million budget . Most significantly , it revive Mickey Rourke ’s career , with commentators noting the line of latitude between him and get on professional matman Randy “ The Ram ” Robinson .
Rourke attend to up a highly nuanced twist as Randy , trance the heat , loneliness , and passion of this fading entertainer . He was nabbed a Golden Globe , BAFTA and Academy Award nominating speech for his quiet performance .
Funnily enough , Nicolas Cage wasoriginally attach to the role – ironically , someone infamous for OTT acting displays mile forth from how Rourke portrayed Randy . Cage ultimately pulled out over business he ’d be required to take steroids to convincingly achieve a pro - wrester ’s bulk , so we ’ll never bed if he could have crafted a similarly restrained , effective tailspin on the character .
Flop: Natalie Portman – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
unsportsmanlike Dancingwas an unexpected breadwinner back in 1987 , amassing a cool $ 214 million worldwide despite its shoestring budget . Much of the film ’s collection can be chalked up to the smolder chemistry ( and dance moves ) between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey , not to mention its insanely salutary soundtrack .
Unfortunately , Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights – released a mere 17 age after – was n’t able to replicate its predecessor ’s success . ab initio developed as an unrelated project before evolve into aDirty Dancingsequel , Havana Nightslacked the memorable musical issue and inspired choreography of the original .
Also leave out was Grey ( Swayze record up for a abbreviated cameo ) , with British actress Romola Garai abuse in to take on the Modern lead persona of Katey Miller . However , Garai was n’t conductor Guy Ferland ’s best-loved choice to dally Katey – allegedly , he approached Natalie Portman first , who ( wisely ) worsen .
Hit: Katie Holmes – The Dark Knight
When it arrived in theaters in 2005,Batman Beginsdid solid box berth enough to earn Christopher Nolan the chance to helm another installment . While audience responded positively to Nolan ’s ground franchise reboot , nobodycould have foresee the transcription - breaking commercial-grade succeeder of follow - upThe Dark Knight .
This includes Katie Holmes , whoopted not to recapitulate the roleof Rachel Dawes for Christian Bale ’s second second go - around as Batman , appearing in forgettable comedyMad Money , instead . Maggie Gyllenhaal was quickly drafted in to supersede Holmes – and arguably made for a more convincing assistant territorial dominion lawyer than her precursor .
To her quotation , Holmes has no sorrow about walking away from one of the most far-famed and remunerative superhero flicks ever made .
She ’s even address lovingly of working with Nolan and praised Gyllenhaal ’s performance – which is pretty classy .
Flop: Brad Pitt – The Fountain
The 2nd Darren Aronofsky joint on this lean , The Fountaincertainly is n’t lack when it comes to narrative range , thematic subtext , or breathtaking visuals . drive home in the remote past , present , and far future , The Fountainoffers up a earnest speculation on sexual love and mortality rate – and looks dead gorgeous along the means .
lamentably , this symbolism - heavy cinematic journey prove extremely polarizing for viewers , which translated into very underwhelming ticket sales .
This came as bad news to Aronofsky and stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz , who were leave with a fondly - crafted boxwood office turkey on their workforce . Interestingly , Jackman well-nigh dodged a fastball on this one – asBrad Pittoriginally took on the triple header role of Tomas / Tom / Tommy !
Pitt bend out seven calendar week prior to main picture taking , reportedly after alterations to the script that he call for were n’t implemented by Aronofsky .
Hits: Will Smith – The Matrix & Django Unchained
It ’s bad enough miss out on one smash hit film – Will Smith get two slip through his finger . The first of these arrived at the peak of his ' 90 popularity , whenSmith was bid the lead role of digital messiah NeoinThe Matrix , but refused the part .
The Wachowskis subsequently spew Keanu Reeves to headline their cyber-terrorist masterpiece , which scored four Oscars and gross over $ 460 million globally . Smith afterwards admit that he struggled to wrap his capitulum around the avowedly high concept source material , and acknowledge that Reeves was probably a practiced fit for Neo at the time .
The 2d smasher motion picture Smith walked off from was Quentin Tarantino ’s blistering westerly Django Unchained .
come on to dally Django himself , the former Fresh Prince of Bel - Air turn his nose up at the part , believing it was n’t a true lead role .
Flop: Keira Knightley – House Of Wax
You could be forgiven for entirely draw a blank thatHouse of Waxeven exist : this formulaic 2005 remake is n’t exactly a landmark submission in the horror musical style . That ’s not to say that the moving picture – about a group of teens terrorized by twin lunatics bent on turn them into living sculpture – is downright terrible .
It ’s just fantastically “ middle of the road ” fare – which is no doubt why it failed to make much in the way of moolah .
One wonders ifHouse of Waxmight have perform better financially if it had shoot a line a few bigger names in the cast – like , say , Keira Knightley , perhaps ?
Rumor has it thatKnightly was considered for the Paige Edwards role(handled in the film by Paris Hilton ) , but she knock conductor Jaume Collet - Serra back .
Hit: Emma Watson – La La Land
When it came to filling the part of Mia Doolan in Damien Chazelle ’s musical read-only storage - comLa La Land , it was a typeface of trade an Emma for an Emma . This is becauseHarry PotterstarEmma Watson was attached to the project early on , before vacating the role to more fully commit to Disney’sBeauty and the Beastlive - action remake , allowing Emma Stone to step in .
On the one hand , we ’re sure Watson is pretty comfortable with this conclusion .
dish and the Beastpulled in over $ 1.2 billion internationally , and bring in the actress for the most part complimentary reviews . On the other bridge player , when she watch Stone assume the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portraying of Mia , Watson was likely left contemplating what might have been !
Flop: Meg Ryan – To Die For
To croak Foris wickedly queer fateful comedy about Suzanne Stone , a wannabe newsworthiness anchor who plots to find - off her husband – but the actual offence is how few people wrap up see it !
Critics raved about Gus van Sant ’s vituperative caustic remark , single out Nicole Kidman ’s Golden Earth - winning twist as Stone for exceptional praise , but this was n’t enough to draw an interview .
Meg Ryan – the original choice to bring the ruthless Ms. Stone to life – is n’t likely to have lose any quietus overpassing on the film . Sure , the $ 5 million earnings she was promised would have been courteous ( Kidman was only capable to batten $ 2 million ) , and awards season silverware is nothing to sneeze at . But no actress – especially Ryan , still ride richly in 1995 – wants a box power bomb on her resume .
Hit: Sean Connery – The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
It ’s tough to imagine anyone other than Sir Ian McKellen as the ace Gandalf after realise the renowned histrion incarnate the character across six epical films . McKellen very about did n’t land the part he spiel to flawlessness across theLord of the RingsandHobbittrilogies – music director Peter Jacksontried ( and failed ) to hire Sir Sean Connery , instead !
Prior to retiring , Connery was of Hollywood ’s go - to “ wise onetime mentor ” figures , thanks to his commanding covert front and fertile , typical part . Jackson obviously felt these were qualities Gandalf urgently needed , offering Connery $ 6 million per film – plus 15 % of the enfranchisement ’s overall net ( which correspond to an centre - water $ 450 million ) .
Connery could n’t understand the fantastical mediate - earth mythology devised by J.R.R. Tolkien .
He he declined the part , and the biggest payday of his sprightliness .
Flop: Val Kilmer – Batman & Robin
When Val Kilmer don Batman ’s iconic cape and cowling inBatman Forever – give up by Michael Keaton followingBatman homecoming – fans assumed he would carry on for at least one more continuation . Yet whenBatman & Robinfinally rolled around , it wasERstar George Clooney who featured as the Cape Crusader , not Kilmer .
It become out Kilmer and director Joel Schumacher clash during the filming ofForever , and this – along with the star ’s inflated self-importance , fit in to Schumacher – issupposedly why he abandon ship .
give the disappointing box role return and critical maulingBatman & Robinreceived , you ’d cogitate this was a savvy move on Kilmer ’s behalf - until you think of he made the equally terribleThe Island of Doctor Moreauinstead !
