Hollywood has given us many memorable characters who have been played multiple times over the years by popular actors in movies and their sequels. Naturally, fans adapted to these familiar faces and their specific roles. But what would have happened if these actors had refused to play their iconic roles? Well, many came close. Join us as we explore the list of 10 actors who almost quit famous franchises.
1. Al Pacino – Michael Corleone (The Godfather)
Paramount executives found Al Pacino’s acting “too timid for a future mob boss.” So, no one wanted him to join ‘The Godfather,’ but director Francis Ford Coppola insisted only Pacino could play Michael Corleone. The condition was so dire that he was about to get fired from the role. Pacino himself became insecure and considered walking away with dignity. It wasn’t until the studio saw the intense “Sollozzo scene,” where Michael commits his first murder, that they finally understood Pacino’s brilliant, slow-burn approach.
2. Johnny Depp – Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Captain Jack Sparrow is more than a character. Johnny Depp’s portrayal and flamboyant performance made Sparrow a real-life legend among the fans of the franchise. Disney, on the other hand, was rather baffled by his performance. “What is he doing? Is he drunk? Is he gay?” Depp said the executives “couldn’t stand” him, and he was on the verge of being replaced for not playing the character as a straightforward, heroic pirate.
3. Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen (Twilight)
Robert Pattinson may have become Batman in recent years, but before his superhero debut, he was known for his brooding performance as the vampire Edward Cullen. However, the role that gave him global stardom was poised to be a huge personal failure. He revealed that his agents had to fly to the set to warn him, saying, “You have to do the opposite of what you’re doing now or you’re going to get fired today.” Pattinson considered leaving, and since then, has expressed his disdain for the character and hatred for the ‘Twilight‘ films.
4. Chris Evans – Captain America (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Chris Evans may be the shining beacon of hope as Captain America in the MCU, but for him, a multi-film contract with Marvel was more than terrifying. He turned down the role of Captain America multiple times, scared of being typecast and losing his anonymity. It took persuasion from his mother and Marvel chief Kevin Feige to convince him.
5. Harrison Ford – Han Solo (Star Wars)
For a character that made him a legend on screen, Harrison Ford was not too keen about playing Han Solo in ‘Star Wars.’ He felt Han Solo had a limited shelf life and was not as interesting as other characters. He famously wanted Han to be killed off at the end of ‘Return of the Jedi‘ to give the story more emotional weight.
In case you missed it: Top 15 Cult Classic Films That Were Box-Office Disasters
6. Zoe Saldaña – Gamora (Guardians Of The Galaxy)
Sometimes, playing an alien superhero can become too taxing for an actor. As Gamora, Zoe Saldaña had to spend hours into application of green makeup, a process that she despised to the core. She was actually relieved when the character was killed off in ‘Infinity War,’ only to learn she would have to come back as a time-displaced version, a prospect she openly admitted she was “not looking forward to.”
7. Emma Watson – Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
The ‘Harry Potter‘ franchise was a decade-long commitment that began when Emma Watson was just a child. Around the time of ‘Order of the Phoenix,’ she seriously considered leaving the role of Hermione. Watson was unsure of signing the final films because of the immense fame and pressure ‘bubble‘ of being trapped.
8. Ian McKellen – Gandalf (The Hobbit)
Sir Ian McKellen nearly quit during the filming of ‘The Hobbit‘ trilogy. Unlike ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ which used practical sets and perspective, ‘The Hobbit‘ relied heavily on green screens. The isolation was so miserable that the acting legend broke down in tears, saying, “This is not what I became an actor for.“
9. Idris Elba – Heimdall (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Idris Elba is celebrated as a dramatic actor. He did not like the idea of being stuck in a horned helmet with uncomfortable contact lenses, even if the MCU demanded it. He was openly miserable playing Heimdall in the ‘Thor‘ films, calling the experience “torture.” Well, the Marvel realm doesn’t suit everyone.
10. Daisy Ridley – Rey (Star Wars)
Daisy Ridley was under a lot of pressure for being the new lead for the ‘Star Wars‘ trilogy. She was overwhelmed by the expectations of director J.J. Abrams and feared that she would have a panic attack. She considered herself a “total mess” and genuinely thought she wouldn’t be able to handle the role, nearly quitting before finding her footing.
