First port of (casting) call

At the centre of this weeks cinema-redefining, action blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road rides Tom Hardy. Carrying on the role of Max Rockatansky decades after Mel Gibso✱n riotously m🍸ade the part his, you might not know that the late Heath Ledger was one of director George Millers initial choices to lead the long-awaited sequel.

And Max isnt the only role to undergo some major casting changes. Theres a ton of major performances by A-listers and ꦚnewbies alike that were originally planned with other actors in mind. Its impossible to imagine anyone other than Arnie delivering the Te𓃲rminators iconic line Ill be back. Or another actress chained to Jabbas side in the Star Wars saga. But the Austrian Oak and Carrie Fisher are but two in a long list of A-listers who were nearly bypassed in favour of someone else. Read on for a glimpse at what could have been...

Axel Foley - Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

The original choice: 80s action beefcake Sylvester Stallone topped early shortlists for the role of Californian cop Axel Fol𒉰ey. Initial drafts of the script toned down the fast-talkin quips the character would later adopt in favour of a more action-centric approach. Presumably so 𝓀Sly could flex his biceps at criminals to scare them away.

Who they went with: Once Stallone dropped out to pursue more manly projects, the scriptജ was re-written to punch up the comedy for stand-up star Eddie Murphy.

Donnie - Donnie Darko (2001)

The original choice: An accepted part of casting - thats been going on since the Romans - is filling the roles of teens and early twentysomethings with actors at least a decade older. One of those instances nearly occurred in Richard Kellys groundbreaking sci-fi drama Donnie Darko, as Swingers star Vince Vaughn was in th🦂e crosshairs for the titular 💙role.

Who they went with: Then-newcomer Jake Gyllenhaal nabbed the part, whose obscurity lent the chara💙cter some much-needed mystery. Still, couldve been so money with Vince....

Allie Hamilton - The Notebook (2004)

The original choice:After the frankly dire Crossroads, Britney Spears was determined to stake h🐷er claim as a convincing romantic lead. Try as she might, she didnt score the part of Ryan Goslings love interest/argue partner in the most popular Nicholas Sparks adaptation to date.

Who they went with: Rachel McAdams. Its n꧂ot a surprise if youve seen her .

Who they went with: Now synonymous with the role, its impossi🔜ble to imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox tackling the part.

Maverick - Top Gun (1986)

The original choice: In the midst of a winning streak during the 80s, Matthew Modine was the studios prime contender for th⭕e part of cocky pilꩵot Maverick in Tony Scotts aeronautic blockbuster.

Who they went with: After Modine passed - ouch - Tom Cruise, whose ෴career soared afterwards, accepted t𒁃he role. The rest is history.

Harvey Two Face Dent - Batman Forever (1995)

The original choice:The first Mad Max himself, Mel Gibson, was up for the role of scarred attorney Harvey Dent in the third Batman outing. The Aussie stepped down as the part would have interfered with his shooting commitments on Braveheart. Oh, what could have been...

Who they went with: After Gibson ✱passed, the part went to Tommy Lee Jones whose animated performance still couldnt save J🥀oel Schumachers comic book dud.

Wolverine - X-Men (2001)

The original choice: A decision that would have given his career a much-needed boost, Dougray Scott was in Foxs crosshairs to play the metallic-clawed mutant for Bryan Singers first X-Men outing. His commitment to Mission: Impossible 2 put the kibosh on his accepting the part as shooting went over schedule, the🧔 studio had to recast the pa൩rt.

Who they went with:ಌ Up-and-comer Hugh Jackman, who went on to transform hi💫s physique on multiple occasions to play the rugged mutant, and is still going strong. Hes set to shoot Wolverine 3 shortly.

Candyman - Candyman (1992)

The original choice: Producers on the Clive Barker adaptation had Eddie Murphy in their sights for the role of the beekeeper with a hooked hand, hoping 🌟that the actors career slump would have him jump at the chance. Alas, he turned it down.

Who they went with: The filmmakers ultimately gave the part to Tony Todd, who cut his genre teeth on the 1990 remake of Night Of The Living Dead.

Sam Wheat - Ghost (1990)

The original choice: After arriving in Hollywood Paul Hogan struck a sweet deal with Paramount who offered him one of two choices; a part in the Jerry Zucker-directed romantic drama or a comedy about a thief-turned-celestial being, Almost An Angel. He chose the latter.

Who they went with: Dirty Dancer Patrick Swayze, whose chemistry with Demi Moore scored huge wit𒁃h audiences. Bit difficult to imagine Hogan conjuring up that same romance.