Disney is one of the biggest movie-producing companies in Hollywood. But that doesn’t mean that every actor is jumping for the opportunity to be in one of their films or TV shows.
As a matter of fact, there are a lot of big-name actors who turned down a part in a Disney movie, and some of these performers will leave you stunned. Whether it was because they didn't want to be associated with "the happiest place on Earth," or they just couldn't reach a deal with the famous studio, these actors won't be famous for their Disney roles any time soon.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio would have played Max Dennison, the teen who accidentally brought the Sanderson sisters back in “Hocus Pocus.” But he turned the part down because he was waiting to see if he landed the lead in the film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and boy, did that pay off for his career!
Emma Watson
Emma Watson was offered the role of Cinderella in the live-action film of the same name, but she said no. So, the role went to Lily James instead. But a few years later, she finally said yes to Disney princess dress, and took on the role of Belle in the live-action “Beauty and the Beast.”
Will Smith
Will Smith was offered the role of Holt Farrier in Disney’s live-action version of “Dumbo,” but he reportedly turned it down. Eventually, he signed on to play the Genie in the live-action version of “Aladdin.”
Selena Gomez
Disney wanted Selena Gomez to play Mitchie in the Disney Channel TV movie “Camp Rock.” But Gomez didn’t feel like she was ready to take on such a role yet and wanted to build her acting base first. So, the role went to Demi Lovato instead.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling was offered the role of the Beast in the live action remake of “Beauty and the Beast.” Although the reason why he turned down the role is unknown, the role ended up going to “Downton Abbey” actor Dan Stevens who did a spectacular job.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston was the first one in line to play Giselle in the Disney classic “Enchanted,” but she rejected the role because she allegedly needed some time off after she finished wrapping up “Friends.” According to IMDB, it’s possible that the salary wasn’t up to par with Aniston, who at the time, was making a lot of cash. Bummer! Rachel’s signature hair would’ve made her the perfect Giselle!
Channing Tatum
The gorgeous 6′ 1″ actor looks like he was made to play a fictional mutant superhero. But sadly, we won’t get to see him in action for now. Apparently, Hollywood had their eyes on Channing Tatum to play Gambit in the movie of the same name. Unfortunately, the movie was officially cancelled in May 2019, according to Wikipedia.
Natalia Dyer
Believe it or not, “Stranger Things,” one of the biggest and most popular TV shows of the last decade, was rejected by 15 to 20 networks before Netflix finally said yes. Can you imagine if the talented Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of the show, would’ve listened to Disney or Warner Bros. and had given up? Yeah, we can’t imagine a world without Eleven, Jim Hopper, or Mike and Nancy Wheeler, either!
Kelly Clarkson
At this point, it’s safe to say that the super talented Kelly Clarkson knows the formula to the perfect pop song. Which is why we were seriously shocked to learn that at one point, Clarkson turned down songs written by Disney star, Nick Jonas. During an episode of “The Voice,” Jonas told Clarkson, “I think I’ve submitted songs for you that you turned down,” which left her speechless. “WHAT?! Have you?!” she replied. OMG! Can you imagine a collab between these two mega pop stars? We’re hoping it’s not too late!
Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas can’t remember which role he was offered in “Frozen,” but he told James Corden on his talk show that he was offered one. Unfortunately, he turned it down and while he didn’t come out and say it directly, he appeared to regret not taking on a role that would have made him a lot of money.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is perhaps best known for his roles in “Dr. Doolittle,” and the “Shrek” film series. But he could have also played Eddie Valiant in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” But Murphy allegedly wanted too much money, so the role went to actor Bob Hoskins and the film became a hit.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé has rejected a number of roles over the years, including the chance to voice Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog.” And when Disney offered her the role of Plumette in a live action “Beauty and the Beast,” she claimed the role was beneath her.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor was offered the role of Will Turner for the Disney produced film, “Pirates of the Caribbean,” but he reportedly turned it down. We can definitely see the hunky actor playing Will, though! Other actors were considered as well, but the role was ultimately given to Orlando Bloom who absolutely rocked it.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie was reportedly offered the role for the live-action version of “Cinderella.” Unfortunately, it was reported that other filming-related commitments got in the way so she was unable to fit into the role, but that would've been a match made in Disney heaven, don't you think?
Harry Styles
The former One Direction singer, Harry Styles, was reportedly offered the chance to play Prince Eric in the upcoming live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.” But sadly, a lot of sites like TheWrap, claimed that he had turned the role down. The actor said he wanted to “put music out and focus on that for a while,” according to The Face magazine. But he thinks everyone involved is amazing. "I think it’s going to be great," he added.
Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace Moretz was all set to play Ariel in the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.” But rumors claimed that director Sofia Coppola reportedly quit the project because Moretz was cast. However, Moretz told The Hollywood Reporter that she pulled the plug on all her movies in order to regain focus on her career as an actress.
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart played Snow White in “Snow White and the Huntsman,” but she reportedly turned down the sequel because she didn’t like some of the early scripts she was asked to read. Then she was offered a brief cameo, but she also turned it down.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon reportedly landed the role of voicing Merida in the animated film “Brave.” She even worked with an accent coach to get the accent just right. But during a 2017 interview, the actress claimed her Scottish accent was so bad that she had to quit.
Lily Tomlin
Can you imagine Lily Tomlin voicing Edna Mode in “The Incredibles?” Well, she almost did! The film’s director, Brad Bird, had completed the voice work for Edna with the intention of getting Tomlin to fill in the role. But she was so impressed by how well he did that she felt she couldn’t do better and turned it down.
Tim Curry
Tim Curry has lent his voice to a number of animated projects throughout his Hollywood career. He was also approached to voice the role of Scar, the villain in the animated version of “The Lion King.” Unfortunately, he couldn’t accept it because of scheduling conflicts.
Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews played “Mary Poppins” in the 1964 Disney film. And 54 years later, she was asked to do a cameo for the film, “Mary Poppins Returns.” But she turned it down because she didn’t want to steal the spotlight from actress Emily Blunt, who was the new Mary Poppins.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson was what “Hercules” director and writer John Musker envisioned when he created the villain Hades. But Nicholson’s payment demands were too high, so the role went to James Wood, and according to Scribol.com, Musker claimed he was great to work with, so there were no regrets!
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart was too busy roaming the galaxy as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” So, he didn’t really have time to play Cogsworth, the grandfather clock on “Beauty and the Beast.” But when the role of Jafar in Aladdin came up, he also turned it down cold.
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal is known by Disney-Pixar fans as the voice of Mike Wazowski in the “Monsters, Inc.” films. But most people don’t realize that he actually turned down the role of voicing Buzz Lightyear. He later told ABCNEWS that he didn’t think he was right for the role.
Woody Allen
Can you imagine Woody Allen voicing Tantor in “Tarzan?” Well he was offered the role but he unfortunately turned it down. And then he went ahead and accepted a role in DreamWorks’ “Antz” because they allegedly promised to distribute whatever future films he produced.
Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts was supposed to star alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez in “Spring Breakers.” But she reportedly pulled out of the film. And according to director Harmony Korine and Roberts herself, it was all because of “creative differences that couldn’t be resolved.”
Matt Damon
Matt Damon turned down the lead role of Jake Sully in “Avatar” because he had a scheduling conflict with “The Bourne Ultimatum.” But he has a reputation of turning down big roles. He also turned down playing the lead in “Daredevil” and passed on the role of Harvey Dent in “Dark Knight.”