There's nothin' like missing out on one of the highest-grossing box office hits to make you regret that role you didn't take (we're lookin' at you, Gwyneth Paltrow). Coulda, shoulda, woulda, are we right? Ahead, 50 celebs who skipped out on iconic TV and movie roles.
Marilyn Monroe
The role: Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Who *actually* played it: Audrey Hepburn
Gillian Anderson
The role: Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011-present)
Who *actually* played it: Lena Headey
Denzel Washington
The role: Detective David Mills in Se7en (1995)
Who *actually* played it: Brad Pitt
Anne Hathaway
The role: Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Who *actually* played it: Jennifer Lawrence
Leonardo DiCaprio
The role: Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights (1997)
Who *actually* played it: Mark Wahlberg
Robert Pattinson
The role: Christian Grey in Fifty Shades (2015)
Who *actually* played it: Jamie Dornan
Sir Ian McKellen
The role: Dumbledore in Harry Potter (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Richard Harris
Dana Delany
The role: Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Who *actually* played it: Sarah Jessica Parker
Bette Midler
The role: Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act (1992)
Who *actually* played it: Whoopi Goldberg
Emma Stone
The role: One of the women in Ghostbusters (2016)
Who *actually* played it: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones
Christina Applegate
The role: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Reese Witherspoon
Charlie Hunnam
The role: Christian Grey in Fifty Shades (2015)
Who *actually* played it: Jamie Dornan
Julia Roberts
The role: Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side (2009)
Who *actually* played it: Sandra Bullock
Matthew Broderick
The role: Walter White in Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Who *actually* played it: Bryan Cranston
Katie Holmes
The role: Piper in Orange Is the New Black (2013-present)
Who *actually* played it: Taylor Schilling
Nicolas Cage
The role: Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings (2001)
Who *actually* played it: Viggo Mortensen
Julia Roberts
The role: Margaret Tate in The Proposal (2009)
Who *actually* played it: Sandra Bullock
Mark Wahlberg
The role: Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Who *actually* played it: Heath Ledger (R.I.P.)
Sarah Michelle Gellar
The role: Cher Horowitz in Clueless (1995)
Who *actually* played it: Alicia Silverstone
Paul Giamatti
The role: Michael Scott in The Office (2005-2013)
Who *actually* played it: Steve Carell
Johnny Depp
The role: Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Who *actually* played it: Matthew Broderick
Katie Holmes
The role: Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Who *actually* played it: Sarah Michelle Gellar
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A 'Titanic' Child Star Says a Devastating Scene Was Cut: "Heavily Rejected by Moms"\201cYou're still my best girl, Cora.\201d
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Julia Roberts Turned Down a 'Notting Hill' Sequel, Calling It a "Very Poor Idea"Hugh Grant is ready to destroy the movie's happy ending, though.
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Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
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Jude Law Devastates 'The Holiday' Fans by Revealing a Secret About the Film's Idyllic English Cottage"Just burst the bubble. Sorry!"
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Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
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Drew Barrymore Discovered Her Daughter Watching '50 First Dates' with Adam Sandler's Daughter"They were just so happy and I was like, 'Oh, but this is so sweet and wonderful.'"
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Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet ShotSo freaking cute.
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Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic CharactersTalk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
