Some of the most iconic roles in film and TV could have looked very different if they had followed the original casting choices.
For Billy Crudup brought Stillwater singer Russell Hammond to life in the 2000 musical drama, director Cameron Crowe had in mind Brad Pittwho was “just getting started” in his now legendary career. “He just really had something,” Crowe said during the series premiere episode “Origins: Almost Famous at Turning Twenty” podcast in July 2020.
While Pitt pulled off his audition well — and left Crowe “rolling on the floor” laughing — it just wasn’t a perfect fit for the moment. Crowe even admitted that he “cried” when the Fight club star withdrew from the project.
“But I think I knew in my mind that he never fully fell in love with the character,” Crowe said. “He fell in love with the idea of the character. But maybe there just wasn’t enough on the page.”
Scroll down to find out which stars almost played some of the most iconic roles in film and TV!