Celebrity News

Lithgow as Lecter and 10 more missed cinematic opportunities

In a new Q&A with John Lithgow, the esteemed actor says, “I almost got the role of Hannibal Lecter. At first, Anthony Hopkins was not available for it, and if he couldn’t get out of his other commitment, it would have gone to me. And I was crazy to play it.”

That blew my mind bucket. Tales of missed opportunities in Hollywood are dime a dozen. For every major role, there are 10 stars who wanted to play it. But every so often you’ll come across an almost-casting anecdote that makes your head spin.

And while John got the chance to carry out his murderous impulses with a sure to be rewarded Emmy-worthy turn as “Dexter’s” Trinity Killer, not every star is so lucky. Here are, in my opinion, the ten biggest missed movie opportunities.

Chevy Chase in “Forrest Gump”

This is a real head scratcher on both sides of the coin. Why would Zemeckis want Chevy and why would the actor turn down this role. Supposedly the script Chevy read for the 1994 Oscar winner (Best Picture, Actor, Director and Screenplay for starters) was subpar. He asserts that Tom Hanks helped shaped the script into the classic it eventually became.

Molly Ringwald in “Pretty Woman”

To quote the character Molly didn’t think was worth playing, “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”

Kevin Costner in “The Shawshank Redemption”

Kevin Costner was on a roll in the late 80’s when it came to picking winners — “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams.” That golden touch extended to the early 90’s — “Dances with Wolves,” “Prince of Thieves,” “JFK,” “The Bodyguard”. But his streak came to a halt when Kevin passed on playing Andy Dufresne in the beloved 1994 film and went on to deliver one of the biggest bellyflops of all time, “Waterworld” instead. Kevin has since said that he strongly regrets letting Tim Robbins get away with the role.

Gwyneth Paltrow in “Titanic”

Thank the movie gods Gwyneth didn’t sail away with the role of Rose DeWitt Bukater. This big screen swap would have probably been the most detrimental out of all ten.

Sean Connery in “Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix”

Sean Connery passed on both fantasy franchise’s because he didn’t understand the complex mythology and watched helplessly as the billions poured in. So when the impenetrable script for “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” plopped on his desk, Sean ignored his inability to comprehend the superhero schlock, signed on and suffered through one of the worst filmmaking experiences of his career.

Michelle Pfeiffer in “Silence of the Lambs”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled Jodie Foster brought Clarice Sterling to life, but had Michelle played the F.B.I. agent as originally planned (she dropped out because the film was too violent), Michelle might have the Oscar she so justly deserves.

Michael Madsen in “Pulp Fiction”

Although he worked with Quentin Tarantino before and after the 1994 new classic, neither “Reservoir Dogs” nor “Kill Bill” did for his career what “Pulp” could have.

Halle Berry in “Speed”

Sandra Bullock has often remarked that her career’s been defined by picking up roles other actors reject. That tradition was born early in her career when Sandy scooped up Halle’s sloppy seconds.

Mel Gibson in “Gladiator”

Mel’s career isn’t lacking in hits or Oscars, but passing on this role — which was both a critical and financial juggernaut — has gotta sting.

Warren Beatty in everything!

Warren Beatty is arguably Hollywood’s worst project picker, having passed on “The Sting,” “Wall Street,” “Misery” and “Boogie Nights.” All roles that helped shape (or in Burt Reynolds’ case, reinvigorate) the careers of the actors who eventually played them.

Photo: WireImage; Reuters; Getty Images