Giamatti decided to turn down the role because, according to Splitsider magazine, Michael Scott lacked complexity, and Giamatti tended to like characters that were more cerebral. Thankfully, Steve Carell took the role and absolutely crushed it.
Bruce Willis, Ghost
Bruce Willis had just gotten married to Demi Moore when Ghost was being filmed. By proxy, he was offered the opportunity to take the lead role alongside her, as opposed to Patrick Swayze. He rejected the offer but went on record through The New York Times saying that he was "a knucklehead" for denying the gig.
“I just didn’t get it,” Stated Willis. “I said, ‘Hey, the guy’s dead. How are you gonna have a romance?’ Famous last words.”
Liam Neeson, Lincoln
Lincoln was in production long before anyone decided to completely fund or plan the movie's shooting. Long before Lincoln even got started, the producers approached Liam Neeson about taking the lead. However, at the table read of the script, Neeson had a breakdown that was likely related to the death of his wife, Natasha Richardson, just one month before.
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