The very last thing Walt Disney wrote earlier than passing away was Kurt Russell’s title on a chunk of paper. As unbelievable as this might sound, it’s truly true. It additionally is sensible when one takes into consideration that Russell was a Disney star, being one of many studio’s high stars within the ’70s.

Many know Kurt Russell because the actor who takes on roles of anti-heroes and hard guys who don’t take crap from anybody else. His performances in The Hateful Eight (2015), the Quick and Livid Franchise, and the MCU are all fairly memorable. Nonetheless, as it’s within the film enterprise, there are some roles that Russell got here very near taking, however for some cause or one other, didn’t comply with by with. Listed below are 11 main roles that Kurt Russell turned down or didn’t get:

11 Man of Metal (2013)

The primary installment within the DC Prolonged Universe (DCEU), Man of Metal is a reboot of the Superman movie sequence. The movie stars Henry Cavill as Superman and depicts his origin story. Many is likely to be shocked to find that Kurt Russell was thought of for the function of Clark’s adoptive father, Jonathan Kent. When speaking concerning the casting, director Zack Synder acknowledged that the casting of Kent’s adoptive dad and mom was essential in setting the tone for the general movie. Synder wished Man of Metal to have a extra severe tone and wished this to be mirrored within the casting as properly. The function of Jonathan Kent was given to Kevin Costner ultimately.

10 Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained is a revisionist Western movie that facilities round an enslaved Black man, Django Freeman (Jamie Foxx), who trains beneath a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) and goals to reunite together with his long-lost spouse (Kerry Washington). Russell was solid for the function of Ace Woody, an antagonistic character who trains slaves for amusement and served because the right-hand man of plantation proprietor, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Whereas Russell did movie some scenes for his function as Ace, he ended up departing from the mission. It appeared that the function of Ace Woody was cursed from the get-go, as previous to Russell, Kevin Costner was given the function, however left attributable to scheduling points. The scenes that Russell shot within the movie had been minimize, and Ace’s character was merged with Walton Goggins’ character, Billy Crash.

9 The Expendables (2010)

Directed and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables follows a group of elite mercenaries who’re employed to overthrow a Latin American dictator, solely to find that the dictator is a mere puppet beneath the management of an ex-CIA agent who has gone rogue. Stallone reached out to Russell for the function of Mr. Church, the one who decides to rent the Expendables for the mission. In keeping with experiences, Russell turned down the roles as he was not enthusiastic about ensemble roles. Previous to Russell, the function was additionally supplied to Arnold Schwarzenegger, however he ended up portraying mercenary chief, Trench. The function of Church was finally taken up by Bruce Willis.

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8 I Am Legend (2007)

Based mostly on Richard Matheson’s novel of the identical title, I Am Legend is set in post-apocalyptic New York Metropolis after a virus has worn out most of humanity. Will Smith stars as virologist Robert Neville, who rallies collectively the remaining survivors and tries to discover a attainable treatment. Throughout the preliminary levels, Kurt Russell was thought of for the mission, nonetheless, it didn’t turn into something. It will be fascinating to see who Russell would have performed within the movie. Would he have performed Dr. Robert Neville, or maybe would he have stored his streak of enjoying anti-heroes and would have portrayed the Alpha Male Darkseeker?

7 Primary Intuition 2 (2006)

Sequel to the 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller movie Primary Intuition, Michael Caton-Jones’ Primary Intuition 2 follows novelist and suspected serial killer, Catherine Tramell, who’s beneath Scotland Yard’s radar for the crimes she’s dedicated. Sharon Stone reprises her function as Tramell, whereas David Morrissey co-stars as Dr. Michael Glass, a psychiatrist and the most recent sufferer of the writer’s psychological manipulation. Kurt Russell was supplied the function of Dr. Glass, however the actor turned it down. It undoubtedly would have been fascinating to see the tables activate Russell, who normally performs the antagonistic character, as he turns into a sufferer of Tramell’s manipulation.

6 JarHead (2005)

Based mostly on US Marine Anthony Swofforrd’s 2003 memoir, Jarhead is a biographical conflict drama movie. It follows Swofforrd’s life story, with a selected concentrate on his army service within the Persian Gulf Struggle. Russell was supplied the function of Lieutenant Colonel Kaziski, one among Swofford’s battalion commanders. The function was finally taken up by Chris Cooper.

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5 Batman Begins (2005)

Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins is a reboot of the Batman movie sequence and facilities across the hero’s origin story. Phrase on the road was that Nolan thought of casting Russell for James Gordon, the uncorrupted Gotham Metropolis police officer who kinds a particular bond with Bruce Wayne, and by extension with Batman. The function was additionally supplied to Chris Cooper and was finally taken up by Gary Oldman.

4 Paparazzi (2004)

Paparazzi is an motion thriller that follows Hollywood star Bo Laramie, portrayed by Cole Hauser, after he will get right into a automobile crash brought on by 4 paparazzi tabloid photographers. This movie follows the actor as he seeks to get revenge on the photographers for nearly killing him and his household. Russell was supplied the function of Bo Laramie, which makes excellent sense given the actor’s portfolio of villains and anti-heroes. Nonetheless, Russell turned down the function.

3 As soon as Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, As soon as Upon a Time in Mexico is a neo-Western motion movie that follows El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) who’s employed by CIA agent Sheldon Sands (Johnny Depp) to kill a corrupt basic. Russell was supplied the function of Agent Sands, the grief-stricken agent who seeks to avenge the homicide of his spouse and hires El Mariachi for the duty. Nonetheless, the actor turned down the function, and it was supplied to Johnny Depp.

2 Jumanji (1995)

Those that have watched Joe Johnston’s 1995 Jumanji will fondly bear in mind Robin Williams’ portrayal of the grownup Alan Parish, who returns to a modified world after being caught within the Jumanji sport for 26 years. Russell was thought of for the function of Alan Parrish, given the actor’s previous as a Disney star who acted in household motion pictures, the function does appear becoming. In the long run, issues labored out for the most effective as Robin Williams took up the function and left the viewers with an unforgettable efficiency.

1 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

In some parallel universe, Kurt Russell in all probability performed Hans Solo or Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, the primary Star Wars movie within the franchise. In keeping with experiences, the actor auditioned for each the roles of Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo, however earlier than he might hear affirmation for both function, the actor confirmed his look within the Western TV sequence, The Quest. Later in an interview, Russell revealed that he had no regrets and that he was pleased with the best way issues turned out.