Iconic Movie Roles Turned Down by Famous Actors

Some of the most famous movie characters in American cinema would have been radically changed if the original actors offered the roles hadn't turned them down. Robin Williams as Jack Torrance, the Jack Nicholson character, in 'The Shining?" Williams was director Stanley Kubrick's first choice. Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather?" Nicholson turned it down, saying the role should go to an Italian. Al Pacino as Han Solo in "Star Wars?" Pacino says it was the height of his fame from being in "The Godfather", and everybody was offering roles, even if he wasn't right for them. He turned it down, saying he didn't understand the script. Mel Gibson was offered the role of "Maximus" in "Gladiator," and turned it down because he thought he was too old for the part. John Travolta was offered the Tom Hanks role in Forrest Gump, but opted to star in the movie "Pulp Fiction" instead....here's the stories behind 39 actors who turned down some of the greatest roles in the movies, and why.