That Could Have Been . . . Them!

I was watching a TV special about "Friends" and they've mentioned that the role of Rachel (played by Jennifer Aniston) was first offered to Tea Leoni.  With the commercial success of Friends, everyone has fallen in love with the whole cast that I'm sure we can't imagine other actors playing the roles of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey.   (If you want to read more about the other actors who were considered for the cast of "Friends", please click on this link )

Then I found this online by chance--- a list of actors who have passed up on Iconic roles.

*All images are from espressogossip.com

Will Smith as Neo (Matrix)

Dana Delaney as Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City)
This one, I cannot imagine AT ALL!  
SJP is Carrie and Carrie is SJP, enough said, Haha!

Molly Ringwald as Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)

John Travolta as Forrest Gump

Bette Midler as Sis. Mary Clarence (Sister Act)
Bette Midler turned down this role because she thought her fans
would have some concerns over her playing the role of a nun

Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones
I think Tom Selleck is a good choice for the role and I can see him playing it actually.  
But I just love Harrison Ford more =)

Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone (The Godfather)
It's been said that Jack Nicholson turned down this role, not because he didn't like it.
He just felt that an Italian should play the role.

Sandra Bullock as Maggie Fitzgerald (Million Dollar Baby)
The story goes that there was a delay in the production so Sandra "packed her bags" 
and dropped out from this movie project 

Julia Roberts as Leigh Anne Tuohy (The Blind Side)
Julia turned downed the role because she is set to do a movie (Valentine's Day) 
with Garry Marshall, the director who gave her break in Pretty Woman

As I was going through the list, I have picked up  a thing or two from the stories behind these what ifs and could have beens:

1. When we give too much importance on what other people have to say, we end up losing because it stops us from doing what we want.

2. Patience is a virtue . . . and good things happen to those who wait =)

3. Giving up something doesn't mean we are weak, it means that we know ourselves better and that we acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses.    

4. You cannot put a price to the relationship you have built with the people who have made a difference in your life.


These actors have their own reasons why they passed up on these roles and I'm sure that somehow, there is a feeling of regret to most of them (if not all).  Just like them, I'm sure we have our stories to tell.  But we shouldn't dwell on these regrets.  Instead, let us learn from them.

Here's to more opportunities to come our way. . . and the courage to take our chances!

If you want to read more about the actors that passed up on iconic roles, please click on this link.