Roles Stars Regret Turning Down

Roles stars turned down

Lester Speight, the muscle-bound comedian of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", recently shared with his hometown newspaper his regrets about dropping out of drama class. Let's look at other film stars and the roles they probably regret passing up.

Morgan State University 

Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute (1867–1890), Morgan College (1890–1939) and Morgan State College (1939–1975), is located in residential Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is a historically black college and Maryland's designated public urban university. It is the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland. As Maryland's "public urban university", Morgan is committed to providing opportunity of higher education to all persons regardless of socio-economic status. Though it is a public institution, Morgan is not a part of the University System of Maryland; the school opted out of becoming a part of the system and possesses its own governing Board of Regents.

Denzel Washington

Washington thought it was too dark a film for him, but upon seeing the final version, he reportedly said, "Oh, shoot."

Denzel washington turned down detective david mills in se7en

Bette Midler

The role was reportedly written for Midler, yet she turned it down, quipping, "My fans don't want to see me in a wimple."

Bette midler turned down sister mary clarence in sister act

Jake Gyllenhaal

Gyllenhaal flexed his pecs in a certain film and turned down one of the biggest hits in movie history.

Jake gyllenhaal turned down Avatar

Sarah Polley

An idealistic and very talented Polley walked away from a film that might have made her famous.

Sarah Polley turned down Penny Lane in almost famous

Will Smith

Smith has said the actor who got the role was perfect for it, which doesn't necessarily mean he has no regrets for passing on this sci-fi franchise.

Will Smith turned down Neo in Matrix

Bruce Willis

Ironically, Willis thought playing this type of role would hurt his career, yet he found success doing it a few years later.

Bruce Willis turned down Sam Wheat in Ghost

Melanie Griffith

Griffith had received an Oscar nomination for "Working Girl" when she turned down the role that may have propelled her into even more nominations.

Melanie Griffith Thelma & Louise

Michael Madsen

Madsen had the option to be in another Quentin Tarantino film but couldn't escape the rehearsals for a '90s western.

Michael Madsen turned down Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction

Kate Winslet

Coming off "Titanic" in 1997, Winslet turned down a role that gave its actress her first Oscar win.

Kate winslet turned down viola de lesseps in shakespeare in love

John Travolta

Travolta was starring in a hit sitcom when he was asked by a legendary filmmaker to play the lead in what some consider a cinematic masterpiece.

John travolta turned down bill in days of heaven

Halle Berry

Just imagine Halle Berry starring in this hit thriller -- you might also have some regret that she turned it down.

Halle Berry turned down Annie Potter, Speed

Ralph Macchio

If he could go back in time, Macchio might have chosen this role in addition to his own karate trilogy.

Ralph Macchio turned down Marty McFly back to The future

ulia Roberts

Let's face it, Roberts has been in some great films but turning down this Oscar-winning role for the less than acclaimed "Valentine's Day" earns a spot on the regrets list.

Julia roberts turned down leigh anne tuoy in the blind side

Dave Chappelle

When asked by a red-headed TV host about turning down a role in a film that earned six Academy Awards. Chappelle remarked.

Dave chappelle turned down pvt. benjamin buford 'bubba' blue

Sean Connery

Maybe if Connery had read a few more books, the former Highlander would have understood the script and gone on to make some serious coin with the profit sharing offered for this epic role.

Sir sean connery passed up gandalf in lord of the rings

Molly Ringwald

Ringwald was pretty in pink while capturing the hearts of millions throughout the '80s, but she turned down this film, which may have extended her career into the '90s.

Molly ringwald turned down pretty women role