Billy Crystal could have been... Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
The Part: The bravest (if more than a little deluded) Space Ranger in the known universe, and star of Pixar’s Toy Story trilogy.
How They Would’ve Played It: Crystal’s Lightyear would be a jittery, fast-talking wiseguy with a whole bundle of neuroses just waiting to spill out.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Because then we’d probably have been denied Crystal’s performance in Monster’s Inc . Having proclaimed his decision to pass on Toy Story the biggest regret of his career, he jumped at the chance to climb on the Pixar bandwagon.
David Boreanaz could have been... Batman (Batman Begins)
The Part: Warners' new incarnation of the Bat, as seen in the Dark Knight trilogy. Warners wanted Boreanaz, Nolan wanted Bale…
How They Would’ve Played It: God only knows, although if his work as a brooding outsider on Buffy is anything to go buy, “incredibly woodenly” springs to mind.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Because Bale is a revelation in the role and Nolan knows best.
Eric Stoltz could have been... Marty McFly (Back To The Future)
The Part: Probably the most likeable hero in movie history, Marty is the (suspiciously old-looking) teen at the heart of the Back To The Future franchise.
How They Would’ve Played It: We’re not sure Marty would be quite so loveable if played by Stoltz and his jittery bug-eyed mannerisms.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Never has it been so easy to root for the little guy, thanks to Michael J. Fox’s seminal performance. You just want to be mates with the guy.
O.J. Simpson could have been... The Terminator (The Terminator)
The Part: The boots/clothes/motorcycle-demanding killing machine that made Arnie a star.
How They Would’ve Played It: According to Jim Cameron’s thinking, O.J. would have played it too nicey-nice. Apparently the director was worried that no-one would buy O.J. as a killer…
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Let’s be honest… it probably wouldn’t have aged quite so well, would it?
Jim Carrey could have been... Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates Of The Caribbean)
The Part: Swashbuckling sea dog Captain Jack is part pirate, part rock star and all box office. Somewhat incredibly, Christopher Walken was also considered for the role!
How They Would Have Played It: Can you imagine? Carrey’s rubber-faced schtick allowed to run wild, customised by Disney’s finest dressing-up box. It doesn’t bear thinking about.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Because Carrey seems to have toned down the buffoonery of late and he doesn’t need any encouragement to return to it!
John Travolta could have been... Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump)
The Part: The loveable simpleton who propelled Tom Hanks to Oscar glory with his talk of chocolate boxes and the like.
How They Would’ve Played It: Given that some people have criticised Hanks’ slow-witted delivery, we can’t imagine Travolta managing to reign himself in enough to keep it the right side of offensive.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: The part requires an everyman, but there’s only one Travolta.
Mickey Rourke could have been... Butch Coolidge (Pulp Fiction)
The Part: Pulp Fiction ’s prize fighter, looking for one last payday by screwing over Marsellus Wallace’s fight-fixing operation.
How They Would’ve Played It: Judging by Rourke’s performance in The Wrestler , he can do “washed up fighter” pretty well. Undoubtedly, his version wouldn’t be quite so together as Bruce Willis’.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Bruce’s version oozes cool. Rourke wasn’t at a very cool period in his career at this point... the call probably came a little too early for him.
John Belushi could have been... Peter Venkman (Ghostbusters)
The Part: The snarkiest of the Ghostbusters was initially written for John Belushi, in what would likely have been a very different performance indeed.
How They Would’ve Played It: Belushi’s involvement would have likely made Ghostbusters a different beast entirely, more akin to the buddy-comedy he and Aykroyd specialised in.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Belushi is great and all, but a Ghostbusters without Bill Murray is a bleak thought indeed.
Robin Williams could have been... Hagrid (Harry Potter)
The Part: Williams was reportedly keen on playing Hogwarts’ lumbering gamekeeper, with Warners hot on the chance to land such a big name. Fortunately, J.K. Rowling’s insistence on British actors soon put paid to this.
How They Would’ve Played It: We’d likely have been treated to another airing of Williams’ Scottish accent, last heard on Mrs. Doubtfire .
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Robbie Coltrane is Hagrid. He looks the part, but more importantly, has Hagrid’s blend of oafishness, kindliness and loyalty down pat.
Dustin Hoffman could have been... Deckard (Blade Runner)
The Part: Grouchy Replicant-hunter Deckard, the star of Blade Runner , who was initially to be played by Hoffman until he fell out with the studio over some suggested rewrites.
How They Would’ve Played It: According to producer Michael Deeley, Hoffman was to play things even darker than Harrison Ford, with his Deckard described as “a mean and embittered little man”.
Why We're Glad They Didn't Get It: Its crucial that despite his world-weary demeanour, Deckard be someone that the audience can root for. Harrison Ford’s version ticks all the boxes.
