Life
Angelina Jolie, Rooney Mara and 8 other actresses who almost got the part
By Stylist Team
Updated 8 years ago
It's never easy receiving a rejection letter for a job you've applied for, but we can find some comfort in knowing that a few of the best actresses out there have missed out on high profile roles. From Oscar nominated character Ryan Stone in Gravity to iconic literary figure Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, here are the actresses who almost had that part.
Words: Sejal Kapadia, Images: Rex Features
Ryan Stone in 'Gravity'
When director Alfonso Cuaron started developing the film he had conversations with Angelina Jolie, but she went onto direct her upcoming film Unbroken and star in another film. The director said, "Something happens, you part ways".
Tiffany in 'Silver Linings Playbook'
Anne Hathaway was originally given Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar winning role, where the film's executive producer Harvey Weinstein, said, "She's marvellous, and wonderful and she was my choice, I love her." Hathaway had to decline the part due to scheduling conflicts.
Marilyn Monroe in 'My Week with Marilyn'
Scarlett Johansson was the frontrunner to play Monroe in this biopic but she had no interest in the role. She said, "It's lovely to be compared to somebody as sort of effervescent and charming and fragile and...beautiful and everything. But it's never been one for me".
Maya in 'Zero Dark Thirty'
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara had to miss out on the role of Maya, a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer who hunts for Osama bin Laden due to scheduling conflicts with her film Side Effects.
Daisy Buchanan in 'The Great Gatsby'
Carey Mulligan was one of the numerous actresses, including Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson, who were vying for the role in Baz Lurhmann's £100million remake of F Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.
Allie Calhoun in 'The Notebook'
Jessica Biel auditioned for the part of Noah's love interest in The Notebook. She said, “[It was] the one that I wanted so badly. I was in the middle of shooting Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I auditioned with Ryan Gosling in my trailer — covered in blood”.
Leigh Anne Tuohy in 'The Blind Side'
Julia Roberts was the movie bosses’ original choice for the lead role which went on to earn Sandra Bullock her first Oscar in 2009. Roberts turned it down to appear in the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day.
Cher Horowitz in 'Clueless'
Sarah Michelle Gellar was originally considered to play the role of Beverly Hill teenager Cher Horowitz, but Geller had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts with All My Children.
Sabina Spielrein in 'A Dangerous Method'
Though Keira Knightley was director David Cronenberg's first option for the part, Amanda Seyfried had her heart set on the role. She said, “I wanted to do A Dangerous Method but he [Cronenberg], the director, just didn’t see anybody else for it”.
Lily in 'Black Swan'
Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively auditioned for the role of Lily, however, Natalie Portman suggested Mila Kunis to the director. He met Kunis over Skype and the role was hers.
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