ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO TURNED DOWN NOTABLE ROLES?

I've always been really interested in this topic. When I hear that Actor A almost landed a certain role instead of Actor B (B being the guy who got the gig), my imagination always runs wild what "what if...?" scenarios and I try to envision the actor playing the role that they never had.

What notable roles are you guys aware of that have been turned down by actors/actresses? Would you have liked to see them land the role?

Three that I like to think about are...

Christopher Walken as Han Solo
Hey, he auditioned for it! While Harrison Ford definitely made the role his own, can you imagine Christopher Walken as Han Solo? It's incredibly hard for me to picture, but it would have been so fantastic to see Christopher Walken arguing with Chewbacca. It would have been comedy gold for sure, but I have a lot of trouble imagining Christopher Walken as a ill-mannered scroundel and lady's man. Something about it just doesn't click.

Sean Connery as Gandalf
I think that Sean Connery could play almost ANY role and somehow get away with it just because he's Sean Connery, but I have trouble picturing him as Gandalf. I have no doubt in my mind that he'd do a really good job, but Ian MacKellen did so great in portraying an elderly wizard that I just don't know if he could be topped. Sean Connery could definitely impress in the role I'm sure, but part of me feels that he's a bit too gruff for the role. Sean Connery as Gandalf? I don't know, I try to imagine it but all I keep seeing in my head is Gandalf dropping his staff and solving everything with his espionage and fist fighting.

Will Smith as Neo
While I don't really care for the Matrix movies, something tells me that I would have been able to digest them a lot better if Will Smith hadn't turned down the role of Neo. It's interesting to know that the role was written with him in mind, and it's unfortunate that he didn't wish to take on the role. Instead we were left with Keanu Reeves who, well, just always comes across as being very wooden. I know that I would have liked Will Smith in this role and I don't doubt that he would have made Neo feel more human than the robotic Keanu Reeves.


So what notable roles are you guys aware of that have been turned down by big names?