Matthew Broderick – ‘Breaking Bad’
The role of Walter White, an emotionally broken chemistry teacher who finds out he is terminally ill with cancer, gave Bryan Cranston a second life in Hollywood. However, the career- turning job almost went to ’80s legend Matthew Broderick. He was given a copy of the script with the thought that if he liked it, the role would be his. Broderick was no doubt skeptical of AMC as a network and their history of unscripted programming. Thus, he decided to pass on the role to somebody else. And, the rest is history. Breaking Bad ran for 5 seasons, receiving numerous nominations and awards in the process.
Matthew Broderick – Breaking Bad
Hugh Jackman – ‘Casino Royle’
Hugh Jackman has had a series of movie hits under his belt and he truly does not need much more. However, he may have regrets for passing on the role of James Bond in Casino Royale. In an interview with Variety, Jackman said that he did not want to take on the part because the scripts at that time were becoming crazy and far from believable. He was also worried that between James Bond and X-Men 2, he would not have time to do other things that are different. He felt that exclusively playing a hero is becoming a bit claustrophobic and that he was afraid of being earmarked as an action-only actor. He got the chance to do so, however, by starring in films like Les Miserables, The Fountain, and The Prestige.
Hugh Jackman – Casino Royle