5 Superstars Who Missed Out on Biggest Roles in History

5. Matt Damon — Avatar

As Matt Damon revealed two years ago, he was actually approached about taking on the role of Jake Sully in Avatar.

While it was a massive loss for the actor's career, he couldn't have accepted the invitation because he was already committed to acting in The Bourne Ultimatum. It's a great movie, too, but it's definitely no Avatar.

4. Mel Gibson — Gladiator

For Mel Gibson, there was a simple reason to reject an offer to play Maximus in the historical drama Gladiator: the actor didn't feel like he would fit into the setting…

And considered himself too old to take on the role of this warrior. While thousands of actors would've killed for the opportunity to star in Gladiator, Gibson just let it go.

3. John Travolta — Forrest Gump

It may sound crazy now, but Forrest Gump could've been played by John Travolta! The actor is known for being picky about his roles, and he turned down the invitation.

Frankly speaking, we're glad he did: instead of Forrest Gump, Travolta joined the cast of Pulp Fiction and provided us with the most charming gangster in history.

2. Sean Connery — The Lord of the Rings

Sean Connery's personal preferences are simple: to agree to a role, he needs the script to be perfectly clear.

The Lord of the Rings script did not satisfy the actor, so he let millions of dollars slip through his fingers — if he agreed, he would've put on the robes of Gandalf, one of the trilogy's central and most essential characters.

1. Will Smith and Brad Pitt — The Matrix

Both Pitt and Smith were approached to take on the role of Neo, the main character of The Matrix, and they both rejected the offer.

The actors had very different reasons, though: while Brad Pitt didn't think this character was for him, Will Smith decided to join Wild Wild West instead… Which was not the wisest choice, all things considered.