Sean Connery could have made $450 million for The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Can you imagine Gandalf crying, “you shall not passh”? That’s what we might have had if Sean Connery accepted Peter Jackson’s offer to play the wizard in The Lord of the Rings. The legendary Bond actor declined, despite being offered $30 million upfront plus 15% of the trilogy’s profits, which would have earned him around $450 million overall. (Ian McKellen didn’t get the same deal.)
Russell Crowe could have made $300 million for The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Sean Connery wasn’t the only superstar who could have earned mad coin from The Lord of the Rings. Before Viggo Mortensen was cast, Russell Crowe was offered Aragorn in exchange for 10% of the trilogy profits. As the three films collectively earned almost $3 billion, this would’ve earned Crowe roughly $300 million. Crowe passed, believing Peter Jackson didn’t really want him in the role.
Matt Damon could have made $292.3 million for Avatar
Before Sam Worthington was cast as space soldier Jake Sully in James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi epic Avatar, the role was first offered to Matt Damon, whose pay deal promised him 10% of the profits. Damon declined to make The Bourne Ultimatum, missing out on the $292.3 million he would have earned after Avatar became the highest earning film ever. (Worthington didn’t get the same deal.)
Natalie Portman or Angelina Jolie could have made $70 million for Gravity
Before Sandra Bullock signed on for 2013’s space-based disaster drama Gravity, the role of Ryan Stone was offered to both Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie. Assuming these actresses were offered the same deal as Bullock – $20 million upfront, plus 15% of the box office – Portman or Jolie could’ve been $70 million richer. Bullock’s Gravity payday remains the most any actress has earned for one movie.
John Travolta could have made $60 million for Forrest Gump
Back in 1994, John Travolta enjoyed a huge career renaissance thanks to his performance in acclaimed cult classic Pulp Fiction. However, he was offered the chance to appear in another of 1994’s biggest hits: Forrest Gump, which earned Tom Hanks his second Oscar plus a sizeable chunk of change. If Travolta was offered the same deal as Hanks, he missed out on around $60 million.
Will Smith could have made $250 million for The Matrix trilogy
Will Smith’s 1999 would-be blockbuster Wild Wild West proved a critical and commercial failure. The rapper-turned-actor earned much mockery when it came to light that he chose to make that movie instead of playing Neo, the role made famous by Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. If Smith was offered Reeves’ deal, he missed out on $250 million from the sci-fi action trilogy.
Chris O’Donnell could have made $125 million for Men in Black
After playing Robin in Batman Forever, Chris O’Donnell was a hot property in Hollywood, and was the first actor offered the role of Agent J in 1997’s Men in Black. To his eternal shame, O’Donnell would instead make Batman & Robin in 1997. Smith wound up earning $125 million from the MIB trilogy, so O’Donnell missed out on a very big payday there.
Hugh Jackman could have made $82.4 million for James Bond
Hugh Jackman became a hot new movie star after playing Wolverine in the X-Men movies, but another major role was on the table for the Australian actor: James Bond. Jackman was considered for 2006’s Casino Royale, but passed as he felt one franchise was enough. The rest is history: Daniel Craig signed on as Bond and made over $80 million for his five films.
Christian Bale could have made $50 million to play Batman once more
Christian Bale became a major leading man and earned around $54 million from his work as Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy. Once Christopher Nolan left the franchise behind, Bale did likewise – even though some reports claimed the British actor was offered $50 million to play Batman just once more, before the character was rebooted with Ben Affleck in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Jerry Seinfeld could have made $110 million for one more season of Seinfeld
Like movie stars, successful TV actors also get offered massive paydays – which they sometimes turn down. When sitcom Seinfeld came to an end in 1998, leading man Jerry Seinfeld had no interest in continuing. This despite the fact that network NBC offered him $5 million per episode for one more season. As one season is usually 22 episodes, Seinfeld would have been $110 million richer.
Tom Cruise could have made $435 million from Iron Man
Before Robert Downey Jr signed on to play Tony Stark/Iron Man for the fledgling Marvel Studios, the original first choice to play the comic book creation was Tom Cruise. Though interested, Cruise ultimately passed as "it just didn’t feel to me like it was gonna work." Downey's tenure in the role reportedly earned him $435 million, so Cruise missed out on some potentially sizeable paydays.
Will Ferrell refused a $29 million offer to make an Elf sequel
2003 Christmas comedy Elf has become a perennial festive favorite for millions, hence studio Warner Bros have long been keen to make a follow-up film. Leading man Will Ferrell was reportedly once offered $29 million to play Buddy the Elf again, but has refused, arguing that he had no motivation to make another except for the money.
Matthew McConaughey turned down a $15 million offer to make a Magnum, P.I. movie
It was reported back in 2008 that Matthew McConaughey was being courted for the title role in a big screen reboot of 80s detective drama Magnum, P.I. $15 million was on the table, but McConaughey decided he'd rather "sit in the shadows for a while." The movie was shelved, eventually leading to the Magnum, P.I. TV reboot starring Jay Hernandez.
Dave Chappelle declined $50 million for two more seasons of Chappelle's Show
Premiering on Comedy Central in 2003, Chappelle's Show proved a huge career breakthrough for stand-up comedian and actor Dave Chappelle. After three seasons, he was offered a deal for another two at $25 million per season. However, feeling uncomfortable with being considered a cash cow for the network and unhappy with having to fight for creative control, Chappelle refused and the series ended.
Michael Keaton turned down $15 million to make Batman Forever
Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton's first two Batman movies prompted controversy for their dark tone, so studio Warner Bros pushed for a more light-hearted third film. This prompted Burton to quit, and Keaton - despite being offered $15 million - soon followed suit. 1995's more colorful Batman Forever would instead star Val Kilmer in the lead, with Joel Schumacher calling the shots.
Jim Parsons declined $50 million for two more seasons of The Big Bang Theory
To the surprise of many, The Big Bang Theory proved to be one of the most popular, longest-running sitcoms of all time, with a record-breaking 276 episodes produced over 13 years. Network CBS wanted two more seasons, but Sheldon actor Jim Parsons refused, believing it was time to move on - even though he stood to earn an extra $50 million.
Jodie Foster turned down $20 million to make Hannibal
After the massive critical and commercial success of The Silence of the Lambs, the producers of sequel Hannibal were keen to reunite the original cast. Anthony Hopkins signed on, but Jodie Foster refused to return as Clarice Starling, because she didn't like what the follow-up did with her character. Foster passed on a $20 million offer, though her replacement Julianne Moore only made $2 million.
Leonardo DiCaprio declined $20 million for American Psycho
Christian Bale was always director Mary Harron's first choice to play Patrick Bateman in 2000's American Psycho, but Leonardo DiCaprio - the world's biggest movie star after Titanic - was also interested in the role. Accounts vary as to why DiCaprio backed out, turning down $20 million; some say he was wary of the provocative material, others say he didn't want to steal Bale's part.
Keanu Reeves declined $12 million to make Speed 2: Cruise Control
These days, actors in blockbuster action movies routinely sign multi-picture deals up front. This hadn't happened to Keanu Reeves on 1994's Speed, so when studio 20th Century Fox offered him $12 million to make Speed 2: Cruise Control, Reeves was under no obligation. Reeves declined, and while this meant he missed out on a substantial payday, he also missed a critically-derided box office flop.
Julianna Margulies turned down $27 million for another season of ER
Medical drama ER was a huge small screen success in the 90s, elevating its cast members to huge stardom. However, after six seasons Julianna Margulies felt she was ready to move on, and announced her retirement from the series. Network NBC were so keen for Margulies to stay, they offered her a stunning $27 million for one more season, but the actress held firm.
Bruce Willis refused $3 million for four days' work on The Expendables 3
Bruce Willis had a small role in the first two Expendables movies as Mr. Church, working just a few days on each film. As scripted, his role on The Expendables 3 would have taken four days of shooting, for which he was offered $3 million - a huge salary for such little work. When Willis said he'd only do it for $4 million, his part was written out.
Charlie Hunnam missed out on around $6 million for Fifty Shades of Grey
When the big screen adaptation of the provocative romance novel series Fifty Shades of Grey first got underway, Charlie Hunnam was set to play the pivotal Christian Grey. However, Hunnam grew uncomfortable with the high profile role and backed out to be replaced by Jamie Dornan, who is believed to have made roughly $6 million for his work on the three films.
Christina Applegate missed out on $16 million from Legally Blonde
2001's Legally Blonde made Reese Witherspoon a major star - and after earning $1 million for the original, Witherspoon made a whopping $15 million for the sequel. This money could have been Christina Applegate's, as the future Anchorman star was the first choice to appear. Applegate declined, feeling unlikely law student Elle Woods was too similar to her character on TV's Married... with Children.
Emma Watson missed out on $22.5 million for La La Land
When work began on musical La La Land, Emma Watson was set to play Mia. The Harry Potter veteran dropped out to make Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and was replaced by Emma Stone. While Beauty and the Beast earned Watson $15 million, Stone's La La Land deal reportedly left her $22.5 million better off - as well as winning her the Best Actress Oscar.
Emily Blunt missed out on $60-80 million by declining the role of Black Widow
2010's Iron Man 2 introduced Scarlett Johansson as Natasha 'Black Widow' Romanoff, who became one of the most important characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Emily Blunt was actually the first choice, but dropped out as production clashed with family comedy Gulliver's Travels. Johansson subsequently earned somewhere between $60 million and $80 million for her tenure in the role.
Sylvester Stallone turned down $34 million to make Rambo IV in 1989
Back in the 80s, Sylvester Stallone's original three Rambo films made a huge amount of money. Studio Carolco were so confident in 1988's Rambo III, they offered Stallone $34 million upfront for a fourth film. Stallone declined, saying "let's not jump the gun," but later admits to feeling an "idiot." He eventually made a fourth Rambo movie in 2008, earning a comparatively meagre $16 million.
George Lazenby rejected $1 million to make Diamonds Are Forever
When George Lazenby became the second actor to play James Bond in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the producers were banking on him being 007 for a long time. Feeling trapped in the role and believing he'd succeed elsewhere, Lazenby refused to return for next Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, despite being offered $1 million: a massive sum in 1970, especially for a newcomer.
Gal Gadot missed out on $50 million for Barbie
As hard as it is to imagine now, Margot Robbie originally intended to produce but not star in 2023's Barbie, offering Gal Gadot the lead role. Gadot passed in part due to scheduling issues. Robbie then agreed to play the lead herself, and has reportedly earned around $50 million from her upfront salary and a cut of the profits (although that includes Robbie's producer fees).
Topher Grace turned down $6-7 million for the last season of That '70s Show
Since the crimes of the disgraced Danny Masterson came to light, 90s sitcom That '70s Show has lost a lot of its appeal, but at the time it was hugely popular. Actor Topher Grace netted around $300,000 per episode, but says he opted to leave the show before its final season because "I realized... that I didn't really need a lot more money."
Brad Pitt could have made $87 million playing Jason Bourne
Brad Pitt hasn't exactly struggled financially throughout his illustrious career, but he did miss out on one lucrative role when he passed on 2002's The Bourne Identity. Pitt's Ocean's Eleven co-star Matt Damon took the role of Bourne instead, earning $10 million for the original, $26 million apiece for 2004's The Bourne Supremacy and 2007's The Bourne Ultimatum, and $25 million for 2016's Jason Bourne.
Emma Roberts could have made $18.76 million playing Harley Quinn
Margot Robbie became a household name on the strength of her turn as Harley Quinn in the DC movies. While her debut in 2016's Suicide Squad only earned her $760,000, she netted $10 million for 2020's Birds of Prey and $8 million for 2021's The Suicide Squad. All this could have been Emma Roberts', who was offered the comic book anti-heroine role first but passed.
Jim Carrey could have made $265 million from Pirates of the Caribbean
It's easy to forget that when Johnny Depp signed on to play Captain Jack Sparrow in 2001's Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, he seemed an unlikely choice for a blockbuster leading man. However, studio Disney originally wanted an even less likely contender: funnyman Jim Carrey, who passed to make Bruce Almighty. The five-film series earned Depp an eye-watering $265 million.
John Krasinski could have made $75-$100 million playing Captain America
John Krasinski says he got as far as putting on the suit to screen test as Captain America before bailing, feeling insecure about playing a superhero - even though he was Marvel's top choice. This paved the way for Chris Evans to take the role instead, and for his tenure as Steve Rogers, Evans is reported to have earned somewhere between $75-$100 million.
James Gandolfini turned down $4 million to replace Steve Carrell in The Office
When Steve Carrell left The Office in 2011, network NBC had an unlikely replacement in mind: The Sopranos star James Gandolfini, who they offered $4 million to star in the sitcom's eighth season. According to Gandolfini's Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli, HBO paid Gandolfini $3 million to turn the offer down, as they feared the comedy role might tarnish the legacy of Tony Soprano.
Ja Rule could have earned $5-$10 million from Fast & Furious
Rapper Ja Rule had a small role in 2001's The Fast and the Furious, which was intended to be expanded in sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious. When the rapper demanded more than the $500,000 he was offered, fellow rapper-turned-actor Ludacris was cast instead. His character Tej became a mainstay of the series, earning Ludacris somewhere between $500,000 and $1.5 million per picture.
Sylvester Stallone turned down $20 million to headline The Expendables 4
Back in 2017, Sylvester Stallone was offered $20 million to once again play Barney Ross as the lead role of a fourth movie in action ensemble series The Expendables. However, Stallone refused over clashes with producer Avi Lerner. Eventually, Stallone agreed to appear in 2023's Expend4bles for just $3 million, in a significantly reduced role, with Jason Statham taking over as the lead. It flopped.
Vin Diesel could have made $25 million for 2 Fast 2 Furious
2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious is the only Fast & Furious movie in which Vin Diesel doesn't appear. The actor was reportedly offered $25 million to reprise the role of Dominic Toretto, but passed to make xXx. Later, Diesel would cameo in 2006's The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift before fully reuniting with Paul Walker on 2009's fourth entry Fast & Furious.
Ice Cube turned down $9 million for Oh Hell No!
Back in 2020 (during the pandemic), a comedy was in the works at Sony entitled Oh Hell No!, which was poised to star Ice Cube. The rapper and actor was offered $9 million for the role, but dropped out when he was told it would be mandatory for him to be vaccinated. To date, the film has not been made.
Mickey Rourke could have made $37.5 million from Beverly Hills Cop
When 1984 action comedy Beverly Hills Cop was first in the works, the role of Detroit cop Axel Foley was originally offered to Mickey Rourke. However, Rourke didn't like the script and passed, paving the way for Eddie Murphy to star. With salary and profit share, Murphy reportedly earned $14.5 million from the original, $8 million and $15 million respectively from the two sequels.
Bruce Willis could have made $12 million from Training Day
2001's Training Day proved to be a major career turning point for leading man Denzel Washington. As well as earning him $12 million, Washington also landed the Best Actor Oscar for his performance, making him only second black actor to ever land that honor. Things could have been different, however, as early in development corrupt cop Alonzo Harris was to be played by Bruce Willis.
