Stars That should Have Said Yes!

Did you know that Jonathan Taylor Thomas of the long-running ‘Home Improvement’ show was offered the lead in ‘American Pie’ but turned it down, giving Jason Biggs the opening he needed to take the part and explode into fame and fortune? What are a few other memorable ‘whoops’ moments for actors that could have changed the trajectory of their careers?

Julia Phillips turned down the ‘Blind Side’ lead to spend more time with her family, giving Sandra Bullock the part. Sandra got lucky again when Angelina Jolie turned down the lead in ‘Gravity’ co-starring George Clooney, to direct her first film. It’s hard to believe anyone else other than Harrison Ford could have played the lead in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ but Tom Selleck passed when offered the part.

Al Pacino was spectacular as Michael Corleone in the ‘Godfather,’ but the juicy role could have gone to Jack Nicholson had he simply accepted the offer. Finally, ‘Pulp Fiction’ revived John Travolta’s career, but can you imagine him as the lead in ‘Forest Gump?” He had to choose between the two at exactly the same time; frankly, he was perfect as Vincent in ‘Pulp Fiction.’

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