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Romantic films, whether they are clever romantic comedies, emotionally charged dramas, or sweeping historical tales, have a universal appeal. While not everyone may adore them, many of these films are celebrated as some of the most iconic and beloved in cinematic history.
Even by today’s standards, when accounting for inflation, the 1939 romantic masterpiece Gone with the Wind still holds the title of the highest-grossing film ever made. But imagine if different actors had been chosen for the lead roles in these timeless classics. Would they have succeeded, or would the films have failed to capture the same magic?
Below is a curated list of ten beloved romantic films and the actors who were nearly cast in their leading roles.
10. Pretty Woman: Burt Reynolds and Meg Ryan
Burt Reynolds dominated the film industry in the 1970s, starring in some of the decade’s biggest box office successes. Following his breakthrough role in John Boorman’s highly praised survival thriller Deliverance (1972), Reynolds soared to stardom with films like The Longest Yard (1974) and Smokey and the Bandit (1977). Similarly, Meg Ryan became one of the most beloved actresses of the 1990s, shining in hits such as You’ve Got Mail (1998) and Kate & Leopold (2001).
How could such a duo not guarantee box-office success? Sadly, we’ll never find out. But before criticizing their decision to decline the roles of Edward Lewis and Vivian Ward (which later became iconic for Richard Gere and Julia Roberts), consider this: Reynolds passed on Pretty Woman in 1990 to star in the CBS sitcom Evening Shade, a role that earned him his only Emmy Award.
Meanwhile, fresh off the triumph of 1989’s When Harry Met Sally, and three years before her role in Sleepless in Seattle, Ryan’s decision to reject the part that catapulted Roberts to stardom didn’t hinder her career. It was a “win-win” for all involved! Additionally, Garry Marshall initially considered Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer for the lead roles—a pairing that feels equally mismatched.
9. An Affair to Remember: Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl
In the 1950s, few actors exuded charm like Cary Grant. Interestingly, just a few decades earlier, Grant was more recognized for his comedic performances in films such as Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Arsenic and Old Lace (1943) than for the sophisticated roles he later became famous for. However, when seasoned director Leo McCarey chose to remake his 1939 romantic classic Love Affair, he imagined it as a project for the real-life couple Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl.
Given the triumph of another married acting duo in 1957, I Love Lucy’s Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, pairing the Argentinian Lamas with the red-haired Dahl seemed like a logical twist on the Cuban Arnaz and flame-haired Ball combination.
However, destiny had other plans, and An Affair to Remember (1957) ultimately featured Grant alongside six-time Oscar nominee Deborah Kerr. This casting choice proved to be a masterstroke. In 2002, the American Film Institute named the film the fifth most romantic movie of all time. Unfortunately, it was a double blow for Lamas and Dahl, who not only missed out on these legendary roles but also divorced just three years later.
8. The Bishop’s Wife: Dana Andrews and Teresa Wright
A holiday favorite that has gained a loyal following over the years, this film originally intended to feature Cary Grant, though he wasn’t the first choice for the role of the angel Dudley in Henry Koster’s cherished romantic comedy The Bishop’s Wife (1947). Producer Samuel Goldwyn aimed to capitalize on the chemistry between Dana Andrews and Teresa Wright, who had delivered standout performances in the post-World War II drama The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Goldwyn planned to cast Andrews as the bishop, Wright as his wife, and David Niven as Dudley.
When Wright turned down the role due to her pregnancy, Goldwyn had to loan Andrews to RKO, who in exchange released Loretta Young to play the lead. Grant then joined the project, only for director Koster to make another casting change. Instead of replacing Andrews as the bishop, Grant was cast as the angel, while Niven reluctantly took on the bishop’s role. Although the film initially underperformed at the box office, it has since become a beloved classic and was remade in 1996 as The Preacher’s Wife, starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
7. Rocky: James Caan and Carrie Snodgress
Despite its numerous sequels and villains who could seamlessly transition into the Marvel universe or a sports film series, many overlook three key facts about the original Rocky. First, the 1976 movie clinched the Academy Award for Best Picture. Second, Sylvester Stallone was a relatively unknown actor at the time, nearly losing the lead role. Third, the film contains surprisingly little boxing. At its heart, Rocky isn’t purely a sports movie. As Carl Weathers, who portrayed Apollo Creed, famously said, “It’s a love story.”
United Artists executives were impressed by Stallone’s screenplay but insisted on a proven star for the lead role. Following his success in testosterone-fueled projects like Rollerball (1975) and the emotional TV drama Brian’s Song (1971), James Caan, known for playing The Godfather’s eldest son, seemed like the perfect fit for Rocky. For the role of Adrian, Rocky’s love interest, Carrie Snodgress, who famously inspired Neil Young’s song “A Man Needs a Maid” in 1972, was the top contender.
Stallone revealed that Adrian was initially envisioned as Irish, and he considered Harvey Keitel for the role of her brother. With Martin Scorsese potentially directing, this alternative casting might have been a success.
6. Grease: Henry Winkler and Marie Osmond
In the 1970s, few films could match the widespread appeal of the musical romantic comedy Grease. Based on a Broadway hit, Grease (1978) became the top-grossing musical film ever, a record it held for three decades. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John skyrocketed to fame after portraying the legendary characters Danny and Sandy. Travolta became a box-office sensation, while Newton-John used the role to reshape her image as a singer. However, neither was the initial pick for these coveted roles.
At the height of his popularity as “Fonzie” from TV’s Happy Days, Henry Winkler was first approached to play Danny. For Sandy, producers considered Marie Osmond, another beloved TV star and teen idol. Winkler, aiming to avoid being pigeonholed as a “greaser,” declined the role. Osmond, worried that Sandy’s rebellious transformation would tarnish her reputation, also rejected the offer, as did her brother Donny, who turned down the chance to play the “Teen Angel.” In what became one of the most regrettable career moves, both Donny and Marie chose to star in the poorly received Goin’ Coconuts instead.
5. Ghost: Bruce Willis and Michele Pfeiffer
Who could forget the unforgettable pottery wheel scene in Ghost (1990), where Patrick Swayze’s Sam tenderly embraces and kisses Demi Moore’s Molly to the haunting melody of The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody”? Now, imagine the same scene with Moore’s then-husband, Die Hard star Bruce Willis, and Michele Pfeiffer, who a year earlier delivered a standout performance singing “Makin’ Whoopee” atop a piano in The Fabulous Baker Boys. It’s a fascinating concept that had real potential.
Ultimately, it was Moore’s remarkable ability to cry on command, from either eye, that secured her the role of Molly over Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, and Nicole Kidman, among others considered. Willis openly admitted he didn’t grasp the script when he read it and later called himself a “knucklehead” for turning down what became 1990’s highest-grossing film. He doubted a romance between a ghost and a living person would resonate. Clearly, Willis learned from this, starring in the acclaimed The Sixth Sense in 1999, a film centered on a child who could see “dead people.”
4. Doctor Zhivago: Peter O’Toole and Sophia Loren
If any romantic epic rivals the historical grandeur of Gone with the Wind, it is David Lean’s adaptation of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago. Featuring a stellar cast, including Sir Alec Guinness and Oscar winner Rod Steiger, the film ranks as the eighth highest-grossing movie of all time when adjusted for inflation.
Omar Sharif, in the titular role, exuded unparalleled charm, while Julie Christie, as his muse Lara, radiated beauty. Yet, neither was Lean’s initial choice. Peter O’Toole, who starred in Lean’s earlier masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia, was originally envisioned as Zhivago. Producer Carlo Ponti believed his wife, global icon Sophia Loren, was perfect for Lara. However, O’Toole declined, unwilling to endure another demanding epic, and Loren was deemed unconvincing as a youthful, innocent schoolgirl in the film’s opening scenes.
Reportedly, director John Ford recommended Christie after working with her on Young Cassidy, while actor Michael Caine suggested Sharif after auditioning for Zhivago himself. Regardless, the final casting choices proved impeccable, cementing the film as one of the greatest romantic epics ever made.
3. Casablanca: George Raft and Michele Morgan
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made—second only to Citizen Kane, according to the American Film Institute’s 1998 “Top 100” list—Casablanca (1942) remains a timeless classic. Its unforgettable dialogue, the tragic romance between Rick and Ilsa, and the magnetic chemistry of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman have left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
Yet, Bogart and Bergman weren’t the first choices for their iconic roles. Warner Brothers’ Jack Warner initially wanted George Raft, an actor infamous for poor career decisions, to play Rick. Raft had previously rejected roles in The Maltese Falcon and High Sierra, which catapulted Bogart to stardom. Meanwhile, Bergman almost lost the role of Ilsa to French actress Michele Morgan, who demanded $55,000 for a seven-week shoot. Producer Hal Wallis refused and hired Bergman for just $25,000—a bargain for a performance that defined her career.
2. Gone With the Wind: Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard
Known for his grandiose style, Cecil B. DeMille’s films mirrored his larger-than-life personality. Following the release of his 1947 epic Unconquered, Time magazine described it as a “Technicolor celebration of Gary Cooper’s masculinity, Paulette Goddard’s allure, and the pioneering spirit of America.” Critic Emanuel Levy later noted that the film’s popularity stemmed from the actors’ undeniable charisma.
This on-screen dynamic nearly led David O. Selznick to cast Cooper and Goddard as the leads in his 1939 adaptation of Gone with the Wind. Goddard, one of the finalists for Scarlett O’Hara, was the only actress besides Vivien Leigh to complete a Technicolor screen test for the role. While Clark Gable was Selznick’s top pick for Rhett Butler, Cooper was also in contention until his contract with producer Sam Goldwyn prevented him from taking the part.
Given the monumental success and enduring legacy of Gone with the Wind, the pairing of Leigh and Gable seems unbeatable. However, for a glimpse of what could have been, consider watching Unconquered on a quiet evening.
1. Titanic: Matthew McConaughey and Gwyneth Paltrow
It’s curious how few people notice that Kate Winslet, as young Rose in Titanic (1997), looks strikingly different from Gloria Stuart, who portrayed the older version of the character. This might be because several actresses were in the running for the role of Rose DeWitt Bukater before Winslet was cast.
One of the top candidates director James Cameron considered was Gwyneth Paltrow, who would win the Best Actress Oscar just a year later. With her elegant, blonde appearance, Paltrow would have been a closer match to Stuart’s portrayal of the elderly Rose.
For the role of Jack, which launched Leonardo DiCaprio to global fame, Matthew McConaughey was a serious contender. However, Cameron felt McConaughey was too old for the part and chose DiCaprio, who convincingly looked like a teenager in 1997. Winslet, after passionately pursuing the role of Rose, won Cameron over with her screen test. With 11 Oscars and over $2 billion in earnings, Cameron’s choices proved impeccable. It’s just as well—imagine Jack saying, “It’s all right, all right, all right,” as Rose vows never to let go.
