Alternate Universes

One of the things we love about Fringe is the fun they have with the idea of an alternate universe. In one episode, they showed a theater marquee reading “Back to the Future starring Eric Stolz,” who was originally cast as Marty McFly, then replaced after five weeks of filming.

Stolz is not alone! There are many stories of actors who were almost cast in what would become iconic roles, only to lose the part to those we now indelibly associate with the role. But if you will, imagine these alternate realities – they almost came to pass…

Gene Hackman was almost Hannibal Lecter and Michelle Pfeiffer was almost Clarice Starling!



Robert Redford was almost Michael Corleone! Ernest Borgnine was almost Don Vito Corleone!



Dustin Hoffman was almost Blade Runner Rick Deckard!



My favorite -- Christopher Walken was almost Han Solo (Nick Nolte was even considered)!



O.J. Simpson was almost The Terminator! James Cameron vetoed the studio's idea. Why? He didn't think audiences would find Simpson believable as a killer.