The movies Brad Pitt almost starred in
Pitt once said in 2020 that "If we were doing a show on the great movies I’ve passed on, we would need two nights." Roles where Pitt turned down, dropped out of, considered or was rejected (!).
Turned down: Did not accept the role
Dropped out: Accepted the role but left afterwards
Was rejected: Auditioned or wanted to star but was rejected.
Movies where Pitt considered/ was considered for a role (but never officially offered):
Turned down: Did not accept the role
Dropped out: Accepted the role but left afterwards
Was rejected: Auditioned or wanted to star but was rejected.
Movies where Pitt considered/ was considered for a role (but never officially offered):
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) / Daniel Craig
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) / Johnny Depp
- Cold Mountain (2002) / Jude Law
- From Hell (2001) / Johnny Depp
- Memento (2000) / Guy Pearce
- Titanic (1997) / Leonardo DiCaprio
- A Time to Kill (1996) / Matthew McConaughey
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- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMichael FassbenderTilda SwintonCharles ParnellAfter a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.Pitt turned down: Went to Michael Fassbender.
Here is what Fincher said, "I’d originally been thinking of Brad [Pitt] back in 2008. But his response had been, "Eh, a little too nihilistic for me." OK, so, who? We needed someone who would embrace that aspect of the character. Then a dozen or so years later, when Andy and I were in the middle of hashing it out, I thought of Michael Fassbender. [I sent him the script with a note saying] "I’d love to send this to you to read, I don’t know what your life is like now, I know you’re racing…" And a few hours later, he called back and told me he was in." - DirectorJoe RussoAnthony RussoStarsRyan GoslingChris EvansAna de ArmasWhen the CIA's most skilled operative, whose true identity is known to none, accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.Pitt dropped out: Went to Ryan Gosling
Back in 2011 with New Regency producing, Pitt was attached to the lead role with director James Gray adapting the novel. Pitt however dropped out in 2013 due to scheduling conflicts and the director subsequently left the project. - DirectorJames MangoldStarsMatt DamonChristian BaleJon BernthalAmerican car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.Pitt dropped out: Went to Christian Bale
The earliest version of this movie, around 2011, had Michael Mann as the director and Brad Pitt attached to star. It is then titled "Go Like Hell" in 2013, with Tom Cruise and Pitt in the lead roles as Shelby and Miles respectively and director Joseph Kosinski directing. They went as far as a table read. Unfortunately, the proposed budget was too high and the project fell apart. - DirectorDavid LeitchStarsRyan ReynoldsJosh BrolinMorena BaccarinFoul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.Pitt turned down: Replaced by Josh Brolin
Director David Leitch said, “We had a great meeting with Brad, he was incredibly interested in the property. Things didn’t work out schedule-wise, though. He’s a fan, and we love him, and I think he would’ve made an amazing Cable.” Pitt still managed to do a cameo as The Vanisher. - DirectorJames GrayStarsCharlie HunnamRobert PattinsonSienna MillerA true-life drama, centering on British explorer Major Percival Fawcett, who disappeared whilst searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Charlie Hunnam
Pitt’s production company Plan B recruited director James Gray for the film in 2008, but Pitt dropped out of the lead role in 2010 due to scheduling conflicts. "Brad bought the book and I don't know how much thought he did give originally of him playing [Fawcett] but he knew it was something of interest," Gray said. "Then he went to make 'World War Z' and the movie fell apart." Gray and Pitt eventually decided that the role should go to a British actor. - DirectorGuy RitchieStarsHenry CavillArmie HammerAlicia VikanderIn the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.Pitt turned down: Replaced by Henry Cavill
Pitt was Guy Ritchie’s first choice for the role but Pitt turned it down for unspecified reasons. The role then went to Tom Cruise, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and Henry Cavill stepped in. - DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsMatthew McConaugheyJennifer GarnerJared LetoIn 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is diagnosed with the disease.Pitt dropped out: Went to Matthew McConaughey
- In 1996, Woody Harrelson and director Dennis Hopper were attached with a draft by writer Borten.
- In 2002, with a script by Borten and Wallack, it had Brad Pitt and director Marc Forster attached and was sold to Universal Pictures. Unfortunately, the script went through several rewrites to the point where it was not the script that Brad wanted to do, so he dropped out, and Marc dropped out.
- in 2006, Ryan Gosling and director Craig Gillespie were attached but dropped out.
- Writers Borten and Wallack bought back their original script and this was the final product in 2013.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonNicolas CageChloë Grace MoretzDave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Nicolas Cage
Director Matthew Vaughn recalled that "No studio would touch it [his proposal for Kick-Ass]". Vaughn subsequently brought Brad Pitt onto the project as a producer. The two knew each from making Guy Ritchie’s Snatch (2001) and for a time Vaughn courted him to play the role of Big Daddy. But Pitt had to drop out from the acting role due to scheduling conflicts with Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. - DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsRussell CroweRachel McAdamsBen AffleckWhen a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Russell Crowe
Pitt invited director Kevin Macdonald to the project being a fan of his previous works. Pitt, who majored in Journalism, was committed to star and assisted in developing the project for 16 months. However, Pitt decided to drop out one week before filming as he disagreed with changes to the script by the studio and director. Pitt later said of the situation: "I had definite beliefs of what [the film] should be, and the director had his definite beliefs [and] we got up against this writers' strike where we couldn't fuse the two." Pitt was more interested in the original script that is closer to the BBC series while Macdonald wanted something else. - DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.Pitt dropped out: Went to Christian Bale
Back in 2007 with director Darren Aronofsky and Mark Wahlberg on the project, Pitt signed on the role of Dickie, replacing Matt Damon. In 2008, after the shooting start date was missed, Pitt dropped out of the project. Aronofsky subsequently left the project and was replaced by director David O’ Russell. - DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsHugh JackmanRachel WeiszSean Patrick ThomasAs a modern-day scientist, Tommy is struggling with mortality, desperately searching for the medical breakthrough that will save the life of his cancer-stricken wife, Izzi.Pitt dropped out: Went to Hugh Jackman
Brad Pitt and director Darren Aronofsky worked on the project for two and a half years, with a high budget of $70 million and starring also Cate Blanchett and Ellen Burstyn. However, in 2002, Pitt quit just weeks away from shooting. Aronofsky later said, "The only reason the film was happening was because of Brad. I think creatively we grew apart. By the time it was ready to go, he wasn't ready to go - and so it fell apart." - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Matt Damon
Brad Pitt's company Plan B purchased the rights to the remake with the intention of Pitt and Cruise in the lead roles. However, Pitt changed his mind when Martin Scorsese came aboard as director, saying "I thought it would be better if [the leads] were younger guys that were just starting their lives, guys coming out of the academy, guys who were hungry. I thought I was too old for it." - DirectorAng LeeStarsJake GyllenhaalHeath LedgerMichelle WilliamsEnnis and Jack are two shepherds who develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Their relationship becomes complicated when both of them get married to their respective girlfriends.Pitt turned down: Went to Jake Gyllenhaal/ Heath Ledger
Back when director Gus Van Sant was attached to the project, actors including Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Ryan Phillippe were courted for the lead roles but all turned him down. - DirectorGurinder ChadhaStarsMartin HendersonAishwarya Rai BachchanNadira BabbarA modern adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, that features the lives of four unmarried daughters in an Indian family.Pitt turned down: Went to Martin Henderson
Producers wanted Pitt to star but he was not interested. - DirectorOliver StoneStarsColin FarrellAnthony HopkinsRosario DawsonAlexander, the King of Macedonia and one of the greatest army leaders in the history of warfare, conquers much of the known world.Pitt turned down: Went to Jared Leto
Brad Pitt was offered the role of Hephaestion but reportedly turned it down due to concerns/ doubts about the character. - DirectorDoug LimanStarsFranka PotenteMatt DamonChris CooperA man is picked up by a fishing boat, bullet-riddled and suffering from amnesia, before racing to elude assassins and attempting to regain his memory.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Matt Damon
Pitt pulled out of the movie due to a schedule conflict with his starring role in Tony Scott's Spy Game. - DirectorAdrian LyneStarsRichard GereDiane LaneOlivier MartinezA New York suburban couple's marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous fling.Pitt turned down: Went to Olivier Martinez
Pitt reportedly turned down the role. - DirectorChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.Pitt turned down: Went to Hugh Grant
Brad Pitt turned down the lead role of Will Freeman on the grounds that it was implausible that someone so attractive would need to pretend to be a single father to meet women. He nevertheless appears in the film (sort of) - he is on the cover of an issue of "Esquire" magazine that Will is reading in his flat. - DirectorMary HarronStarsChristian BaleJustin TherouxJosh LucasA wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.Pitt dropped out: Went to Christian Bale
Pitt was attached to an earlier version of the project with David Cronenberg as director and the author of the original novel penning the script. The project did not finalise due to creative differences between the author and Cronenberg. - DirectorStephen HerekStarsMark WahlbergJennifer AnistonDominic WestLead singer of a tribute band becomes lead singer of the real band he idolizes.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Mark Wahlberg
Brad Pitt signed to star in 1998, but wound up dropping the project following creative differences with the studio. Screenwriter John Stockwell said, ”Brad had some ideas about what he wanted to do, but in the end he couldn’t find a director he wanted to work with that Warner Bros. also wanted to work with,” says Stockwell. ”But Brad really is a metalhead from Missouri, and I think part of him was completely absorbed in playing this character.” - DirectorRobert RedfordStarsWill SmithMatt DamonCharlize TheronA down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddie.Pitt turned down: Went to Matt Damon
Pitt reportedly turned the role down for unknown reasons. - DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.Pitt dropped out: Replaced by Billy Crudup
Brad Pitt was director Cameron Crowe's first choice to play the lead role. Pitt and Crowe first met while the director was making "Say Anything" (1989). They developed the character for four months before Pitt dropped out as he didn’t “get it [the character] enough to do it”. Crowe believes Pitt never did fall in love with the character, and was also uncomfortable with the age difference between Russell and Penny Lane (Natalie Portman was playing the role at the time). - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBill PaxtonBilly Bob ThorntonBridget FondaThree blue-collar acquaintances come across millions of dollars in lost cash and make a plan to keep their find from the authorities, but it isn't long before complications and mistrust weave their way into the plan.Pitt turned down: Replaced by Bill Paxton
In the 1995 Vanity Fair featurette "Brad Attitude": "Pitt was offered the lead in the film version, but passed because, after Interview [with a Vampire] and Legends [of the Fall], he couldn't stomach another depressing story. And he doesn't like to talk about it, because he doesn't want his turning it down to make people think there's something wrong with it, and also, he doesn't want people knowing his business." - DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppChristina RicciMiranda RichardsonIchabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.Pitt turned down: Went to Johnny Depp
Brad Pitt was offered the role of Ichabod Crane but turned it down for unspecified reasons. - DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossWhen a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.Pitt turned down: Replaced by Keanu Reeves
Warner Bros told the directors back then that if Brad Pitt would do the picture, they'd green light it right then. Pitt later revealed in an interview in 2020 that "I did pass on The Matrix. I took the red pill. That’s the only one I’m naming … I wasn’t offered two or three. Only the first one. Just to clarify that. I come from a place, maybe it’s my upbringing, if I didn’t get it, then it wasn’t mine. I really believe [the role] was never mine. It’s not mine. It was someone else’s and they go and make it. I really do believe in that. If we were doing a show on the great movies I’ve passed on, we would need two nights."