James Cameron&rsquo;s Titanic (1997) remains one of the most iconic films in cinema history &mdash; but what if Jack Dawson hadn&rsquo;t been played by Leonardo DiCaprio? According to the late producer Jon Landau&rsquo;s memoir, actor Matthew McConaughey was seriously considered for the role. He even read with Kate Winslet and impressed the team with his Southern charm.
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However, McConaughey was reportedly unwilling to drop his accent or adjust his performance when asked. Director James Cameron had a specific vision for Jack, and McConaughey&rsquo;s refusal to adapt sealed the decision. The part ultimately went to DiCaprio, launching him into global stardom. McConaughey later said he felt confident he&rsquo;d get the part and was surprised when he didn&rsquo;t. Still, his career flourished &mdash; he won an Oscar for "Dallas Buyers Club" and earned widespread acclaim.
McConaughey&rsquo;s story is not unique. Hollywood is full of iconic roles that almost went to someone else. Here are some of the most surprising near-castings:
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Amanda Seyfried in &lsquo;Wicked&rsquo; (2024)
While filming &lsquo;The Dropout&rsquo;, Seyfried auditioned to play Glinda in &lsquo;Wicked&rsquo; and spent her weekends preparing for the role. However, Ariana Grande ultimately landed the part, earning her first Oscar nomination.
<a href="https://ibb.co/n8K5CfZN"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/5xJfFvtg/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T101655-292.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T101655-292" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Emma Watson in &lsquo;La La Land&rsquo; (2016)
Watson was originally cast as Mia but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with &lsquo;Beauty and the Beast&rsquo;. Emma Stone stepped in and went on to win an Oscar.
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Eminem in &lsquo;Mad Max: Fury Road&rsquo; (2015)
Director George Miller had Eminem in mind for the lead role, inspired by his performance in &lsquo;8 Mile.&rsquo; However, the rapper declined, and the role went to Tom Hardy.
<a href="https://ibb.co/Fbr5Gs0z"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/pv7fCWRd/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102310-021.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102310-021" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Jennifer Lawrence in &lsquo;Twilight&rsquo; (2008)&nbsp;
Lawrence auditioned for Bella Swan but didn&rsquo;t make the final cut. Reflecting on it later, she said, &ldquo;It was just another audition&hellip; then it turned into this whole other thing.&rdquo;
<a href="https://ibb.co/0pjzh5wr"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/5XWJBZ7L/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102605-192.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102605-192" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Gwen Stefani in &lsquo;Mr. &amp; Mrs. Smith&rsquo; (2005)&nbsp;
The pop star was close to starring alongside Brad Pitt. &ldquo;It was very competitive, and I wanted to do it&mdash;but I wanted to do music more,&rdquo; Stefani told Howard Stern in 2016.
<a href="https://ibb.co/bRRKjV4D"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/wrrzZqnj/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102943-012.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T102943-012" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Britney Spears in &lsquo;The Notebook&rsquo; (2004)
Spears read for the role of Allie opposite Ryan Gosling, but Rachel McAdams ultimately brought the character to life.
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Will Smith in &lsquo;The Matrix&rsquo; (1999)
Smith turned down the role of Neo to star in &lsquo;Wild Wild West.&rsquo; &ldquo;I probably would have messed &lsquo;The Matrix&rsquo; up,&rdquo; he joked years later.
<a href="https://ibb.co/VWBrFjjq"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/MDNWz22C/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T115424-926.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T115424-926" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Ben Affleck in &lsquo;Clueless&rsquo; (1995)
Affleck was a top contender to play Josh, but the role went to Paul Rudd. Casting director Carrie Frazier later said Affleck &ldquo;would have been fabulous.&rdquo;
<a href="https://ibb.co/qF0Tg3p0"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/sJ581dq5/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T115932-254.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T115932-254" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
John Travolta in &lsquo;Forrest Gump&rsquo; (1994)
Travolta was originally offered the role but declined. Tom Hanks accepted&mdash;and won an Oscar.
<a href="https://ibb.co/TBm1xd7Q"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/vxZh6RTN/Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T120931-966.jpg" alt="Be-Funky-collagegery-2025-08-06-T120931-966" border="0" /></a>&nbsp;
Kristin Davis in &lsquo;Friends&rsquo; (1994-2004)&nbsp;
Davis nearly played Monica Geller, but Courteney Cox&rsquo;s warmer portrayal won out. Co-creator David Crane said they originally imagined the character as darker and edgier.
&nbsp;
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