Hey there, fellow movie fans! Have you ever wondered what would have happened if your favorite actors were cast in different roles than the ones they played? It’s always interesting to picture what could have been, and luckily for us, there are plenty of famous movie what-ifs to explore. Here are some of the most interesting movie casting ideas that will have you saying, “what if?”

1. Robin Williams as Hagrid in Harry Potter

Can you imagine the beloved late Robin Williams as the warm-hearted giant in the Harry Potter series? It’s a casting possibility that’s both intriguing and heart-warming. Robin’s sense of humor and kindness would have been a perfect fit for the role, making Hagrid’s character even more lovable.

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An illustration of Robin Williams with a beard and Hagrid's hair style, wearing a brown coat over a pink shirt, leaning down and smiling

2. John Travolta as Forrest Gump

You probably know that Tom Hanks played the role of Forrest Gump, but did you know that John Travolta was also considered for the part? Though Travolta turned down the role, it’s hard not to wonder what the movie would have been like with him in it. Travolta might have brought a different kind of energy to Forrest’s character, but Tom Hanks did such a superb job that we can’t imagine it being any better.

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An illustration with a split screen of Tom Hanks and John Travolta both in the role of Forrest Gump

3. Nicolas Cage as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings

We can’t talk about movie what-ifs without mentioning Nicolas Cage. Cage was once considered for the role of Aragorn in Lord of the Rings, but it just wouldn’t have been the same without Viggo Mortensen. Can you imagine Cage’s intense, almost manic energy in the role of the regal Aragorn? It’s definitely a weird idea, but we kind of want to see it anyway!

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An illustration of Nicolas Cage dressed as a middle-aged lord with a sword, shield and long hair

4. Will Smith as Neo in The Matrix

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix is an iconic choice, but did you know that Will Smith was also considered for the part? In an interview, Smith mentioned that he turned down the role because he didn’t understand the concept of the movie. Looking back, it’s hard not to wonder what Smith would have brought to the table. Although, we can confidently say that Keanu embodied Neo’s character perfectly.

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An illustrated split screen of Keanu Reeves and Will Smith both in a black trench coats

5. Eddie Murphy as The Terminator

Here’s a crazy what-if! Before Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast in the role of The Terminator, Eddie Murphy was actually being considered for the part. While it’s hard to imagine Murphy as a killing machine, we can’t help but wonder what that movie would have been like.

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An illustration of Eddie Murphy dressed in a ripped leather jacket over a white vest, holding a machine gun, with his trademark smile on his face.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the most interesting movie casting what-ifs out there. It’s fun to think about what might have been, but we all know that the actors who were chosen for each role did a fantastic job. What are some of your favorite movie what-ifs? Let us know in the comments below!

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