http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/20157.html James Bond in Dr. No: Neo in the Matrix: Will Smith is being generous, Keanu Reeves's name being used in the same sentence as a "smart actor" is rarified air indeed.
Will Smith is a class A kinda guy. You have no choice but to like him. And while I do think he's leaps and bounds ahead of Reeves, I don't think he would have pulled off Neo.
I agree. Will is a class act. He would of tried to make Neo funny at that point in his career. But really...Keanu Reeves and "smart actor".
It's really hard not to like Will Smith. In addition to showing class, he also exudes that "boy from next door" kind of vibe.
Will Smith is golden. Now I heard Nick Nolte was almost Han Solo in Star Wars. Didn't turn it down, from what I understand, but can you imagine how different the character would have been? "Chewie, Jeeesus Christ you Goddam throw rug! Did you fix the ****ing hyperdrive, or are you still licking the fleas outta your ***?" Edit: I just read he was in the running to play Superman too. Wow!
Sandra Bullock turned down Trinity, she said before Kenau was involved so it must have been when Smith was being looked at. Can you imagine the Matrix..... Will Smith & Sandra Bullock??????
"Im not trying to place an order for a pizza delivery Ma'am. I mean, I'm not... there is trouble here... please send help..." Yeah, good call on that one.
Tom Selleck turned down Indiana Jones because he was just starting Magnum P.I. "Selleck, after years of little interest, was cast as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. and as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark in the same year. Magnum, P.I. producers would not release the actor and he had to pass on the film role, which then went to Harrison Ford. The decision of choosing the role of Indiana Jones vs. Magnum actually haunted him so much that before making the decision, he consulted his best friend on what to do. Together they came to the conclusion that honoring the contract with Universal Studios was the honorable thing to do. It turned out that the shooting of the pilot for Magnum was delayed for over 6 months, which would have enabled him to complete the role as Indiana Jones. Coincidentally, while Selleck was waiting in Hawaii for Magnum, P.I. to commence, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were in Hawaii as well to shoot scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Selleck later went on to star in High Road to China, one of the many adventure films inspired by the success of Raiders that emerged in the early to mid-1980s."
Dude, Patton Oswalt did a KILLER impression of just that. I can't find the video anymore, but it is classic! Stumbling in hungover, like he's just had it, annoyed with everything. Made me wish Nolte would have been Han Solo.