There's nothin' like missing out on one of the highest-grossing box office hits to make you regret that role you didn't take (we're lookin' at you, Gwyneth Paltrow). Coulda, shoulda, woulda, are we right? Ahead, 50 celebs who skipped out on iconic TV and movie roles.
Marilyn Monroe
The role: Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Who *actually* played it: Audrey Hepburn
Gillian Anderson
The role: Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011-present)
Who *actually* played it: Lena Headey
Denzel Washington
The role: Detective David Mills in Se7en (1995)
Who *actually* played it: Brad Pitt
Anne Hathaway
The role: Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Who *actually* played it: Jennifer Lawrence
Leonardo DiCaprio
The role: Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights (1997)
Who *actually* played it: Mark Wahlberg
Robert Pattinson
The role: Christian Grey in Fifty Shades (2015)
Who *actually* played it: Jamie Dornan
Sir Ian McKellen
The role: Dumbledore in Harry Potter (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Richard Harris
Dana Delany
The role: Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Who *actually* played it: Sarah Jessica Parker
Bette Midler
The role: Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act (1992)
Who *actually* played it: Whoopi Goldberg
Emma Stone
The role: One of the women in Ghostbusters (2016)
Who *actually* played it: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones
Christina Applegate
The role: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Reese Witherspoon
Charlie Hunnam
The role: Christian Grey in Fifty Shades (2015)
Who *actually* played it: Jamie Dornan
Julia Roberts
The role: Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side (2009)
Who *actually* played it: Sandra Bullock
Matthew Broderick
The role: Walter White in Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Who *actually* played it: Bryan Cranston
Katie Holmes
The role: Piper in Orange Is the New Black (2013-present)
Who *actually* played it: Taylor Schilling
Nicolas Cage
The role: Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Viggo Mortensen
Julia Roberts
The role: Margaret Tate in The Proposal (2009)
Who *actually* played it: Sandra Bullock
Mark Wahlberg
The role: Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Who *actually* played it: Heath Ledger (R.I.P.)
Sarah Michelle Gellar
The role: Cher Horowitz in Clueless (1995)
Who *actually* played it: Alicia Silverstone
Paul Giamatti
The role: Michael Scott in The Office (2005-2013)
Who *actually* played it: Steve Carell
Johnny Depp
The role: Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Who *actually* played it: Matthew Broderick
Katie Holmes
The role: Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Who *actually* played it: Sarah Michelle Gellar
-
Prince William Says He Wants to "Challenge Homelessness" While Promoting New Documentary"We see it every day in our lives."
-
Meghan Markle Connects to Little Boy She Says is "So Close" to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's AgeThe Duchess of Sussex greeted young fans during a solo appearance at the Children's Hospital L.A. 2024 Gala.
-
Suki Waterhouse Wears Floral Maxi Dress Alongside Robert Pattinson in First Joint Appearance Since Becoming ParentsThe pair welcomed their first child, a baby girl, back in March.
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic CharactersTalk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible""Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
-
How Timothée Chalamet's "Emotional Intelligence" Will Transform the Character of Willy WonkaLiterally perfect casting.
-
Adam Sandler Brought His Wife Jackie and Lookalike Daughter Sunny to 'The Out-Laws' PremiereSo cute!
-
'SATC' Star Evan Handler Says He'll "Welcome" Kim Cattrall's Return on His TV SetShe didn't see anyone while filming her cameo.
-
Nicholas Hoult Told Toni Collette He Still Thinks of Her as His Mom When He Watches One of Her MoviesI love this so much.
