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It's impossible to know how someone will work out in a role until they actually play it.
Marvel objected to the casting of Robert Downey as Tony Stark, because they thought he was "too old" (at 42). Now it's hard to imagine anyone but Downey in the role.
If you're old enough, you'll recall the fanboys' horror when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman. ("Where's the square jaw??") But he worked out pretty well, too.
We've discussed recently somewhere that Tom Selleck was almost Indiana Jones. I think it still would have been a good movie but I'm glad that Harrison Ford got the role. I read somewhere that the scene in the market in Raiders where Indy confronts the guy with the sword, taht it was supposed to be a drawn out fight. I believe it was Harrison Ford who suggested that Indy would just shoot the guy. If Tom Selleck was in the movie would it have been a big fight or would he have had the same suggestion as Harrison Ford? We'll never know.
Along the same lines there were many actors who auditoned for the main roles in Star Wars. I recently read that Christopher Walken was nearly cast as Han Solo. How weird would that have been? I think Kurt Russell also auditioned for the role, which would have been pretty similiar to Harrison Ford, I think. Again though in Empire it was Ford's idea allegedly to say " I know" when Princess Leia confesses her love for him during the carbonite scene. That is a classic scene and very true to the character. Would we still remember is as fondly if someone else was in the role and responded with "I love you" as it was intended?
Another film, the Wrestler. I heard the choices were running between Sylvester Stallone and Nicholas Cage. I'm very greatful that the film's creators went with Mickey Rourke.
While we're on Batman, I'd like to mention the most recent film, Dark Knight. I don't know if other actors were in consideration for the role of the Joker or not. I know before the film was released many people weren't so sure of the casting of Heath Ledger, now it seems like it was a no-brainer.
After this Summer we'll have some new roles to discuss. There were several actors up for the role of Captain America but it ultimately went to Chris Evans. One of the choices was John Krazinky from the Office. There were also a few options for Green Lantern which went to Ryan Reynolds. One of those options was Bradely Cooper from the Hangover. I guess after viewing these films if we'll lament the choices they went with or praise them.
Another film, the Wrestler. I heard the choices were running between Sylvester Stallone and Nicholas Cage. I'm very greatful that the film's creators went with Mickey Rourke.
I don't know if I'm the only one who feels this way, but I always felt the exact same cast that made the Batman TV series in the 60's would've been fine to do a "serious" version of Batman had it been decided to do so.
Particularly - Burgess Meredith is the Penguin to me. Everyone else is just someone playing the Penguin.