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David Schwimmer could have been... Agent J (Men In Black)
Joaquin Phoenix could have been... Dirk Diggler (Boogie Nights)
The Part: The ultra-endowed star of Boogie Nights , who finds himself catapulted into superstardom by the contents of his boxers.
How They Would’ve Played It: Phoenix is an intense performer, but Diggler is rather a simple character. He wouldn’t have been enough of a blank canvas.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: No disrespect to Mark Wahlberg, but it’s the blank likeability of his performance that really makes this one work. A backhanded compliment perhaps, but a compliment all the same!
Russell Crowe could have been... Wolverine (X-Men)
The Part: The wisecracking, claw-sporting anti-hero of the X-Men franchise. Grr!
How They Would’ve Played It: Crowe would have played up the character’s snarling outsider persona, potentially at the expense of the humour.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Hugh Jackman might not be everybody’s cup of tea (die-hard fans continue to complain that he’s not short enough), but for us, he nails the character’s mix of savagery and don’t-give-a-fuck humour.
Dougray Scott could have been... Wolverine (X-Men)
The Part: While Crowe had been offered the role, Dougray Scott had actually accepted it, only for scheduling issues to force him out again.
How They Would’ve Played It: As a debonair gentleman who only gets his claws out when he absolutely has to.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: We really can't see how this ever could have worked. Sure, Scott is likeable enough, but as a fully paid-up badass like Wolverine? Not for us.
Edward Furlong could have been... Spider-Man (Spider-Man)
The Part: Your friendly neighbourhood wall-crawler, circa James Cameron’s mid-‘90s bid to bring the character to the big screen.
How They Would’ve Played It: As a grungy, sulky teenager, rather than the peppy, plucky hero presented to us by Tobey Maguire.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Furlong was set to star opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger as Doctor Octopus. Yes, lets all have a think about that for a while…
Bruce Willis could have been... Sam Wheat (Ghost)
The Part: One half of Ghost ’s famous pot-making duo with Demi Moore. And, er, a ghost.
How They Would’ve Played It: Had Bruce Willis been taking on those muggers, his character would never have wound up dead in the first place…
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Brucie is just a little too rough and ready for this one. Patrick Swayze on the other hand strikes a better balance between badass and romantic smoothie.
Cary Grant could have been... James Bond (Dr No)
The Part: The first incarnation of 007, a role offered to Grant by Cubby Broccoli himself, at whose wedding Grant had been the best man.
How They Would’ve Played It: With the same effortless cool he brought to practically every role he ever played.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: While Grant would certainly have made for a likeable Bond, Connery brought a hint of steel that was perhaps truer to the character as written by Ian Fleming.
Liam Neeson could have been... James Bond (Goldeneye)
The Part: Neeson was in the running for the role back in 1994, being called back on several occasions before finally missing out to Pierce Brosnan.
How They Would’ve Played It: With neck-snapping vigour, if the Taken films are anything to go by. After all, Bond also has a very particular skill set.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: In the early outings at least, Brosnan had the perfect blend of smarm, charm and machismo, with Goldeneye proving to be the finest Bond film in years.
Mel Gibson could have been... Maximus (Gladiator)
The Part: Gladiator ’s vengeance-fuelled hero. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife… you know the drill.
How They Would’ve Played It: You’ve seen Braveheart ? Like that, basically.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: The role demanded a tough, controversial, Australian action man with an aptitude for bellowing war cries at the top of his lungs. Maybe Mel would have done fine!
Colin Farrell could have been... James Bond (Casino Royale)
The Part: Colin Farrell was the leftfield choice for the new Bond back in 2004, with the Irish actor under serious consideration before Daniel Craig finally snagged the role.
How They Would’ve Played It: Farrell could do the hard-drinking, womanising bit in his sleep, while he’s also no slouch in the action department. It certainly would have been interesting.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Farrell is a bit rough and ready for Bond, even in his new harder-edged incarnation. Too many tattoos for one thing. And then there’s the fact that Craig has been excellent throughout.
