Whether they’re willing to admit it or not, everyone has a favorite Disney character they all adore, and more than likely, an actor that helped bring said character to life whether by voice or by performance. Who could ever forget Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Tom Hanks as Sheriff Woody, or Ellen DeGeneres as Dory?
While it’s true that these performances helped bring the characters to life, they weren’t all intended for the actors that portray them. Several Disney mainstays were actually meant for other actors in the beginning. To show you what we mean, we have a list of 10 famous actors who were supposed to be Disney royalty.
Jack Nicholson as Hades
Nowadays, it’s hard to think about the blue-haired lord of the dead without hearing the slick and shifty Hollywood-agent-styled voice of James Woods. But there was a time when the king of the underworld was to be voiced by someone a little more famous. Hades was originally meant for the one and only Jack Nicholson.
Nicholson was certainly interested in the role, and there exists original concept art featuring a very devilish looking Hades with the actor’s eyebrows and sunglasses. However, due to contract disputes, the studio had to find a new actor. Enter James Woods with an improvised audition and the rest is history.
Jim Carrey as Prince Eric
Jim Carrey takes our next two spots not only for almost being cast as Disney characters but a pair of some of the most unlikely roles to be associated with the famous comedian. If you’ve not seen The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, the idea of Jim Carrey as a romantic lead might seem farfetched, but it wasn’t for Disney.
A young Carrey was almost cast as Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid back during the developmental days of the film, but that was before the comedian assumed his recurring role on a little show called In Living Color.
Jim Carrey as Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Jack Sparrow is considered by many to be the epitome of Johnny Depp’s career, but it might come as a shock to some to learn he wasn’t the first choice. In fact, Jim Carrey was offered the role before Depp. The image isn’t too hard to grasp, but they would no doubt be two entirely different performances.
Captain Jack and Jim Carey are both a little bit more than wildly eccentric in their ways and mannerisms, but could you honestly see Ace Ventura commanding the crew of the Black Pearl? We didn’t think so either. Good casting call on this one, Disney.
Lily Tomlin as Edna Mode
Edna Mode is an absolutely fabulous addition to Pixar’s The Incredibles movies. But before the film’s director, Brad Bird, was the guy behind the gigantic glasses and fashionista flair, Lily Tomlin was approached to voice the Supers’ flamboyant fashion designer. The question is, what changed?
Surprisingly, it was a mock reading from Brad Bird as Edna that forced the role to be changed. Lily Tomlin herself even admitted Bird’s reading was better and even had her laughing. Directors are known for having a cameo or two in their films, but we’re willing to bet Bird didn’t bank on becoming a character.
Ryan Gosling as The Beast
Before Dan Stevens was behind the ludicrous amount of CGI as The Beast in a certain 2017 live-action-remake, another leading man was in strong consideration for the role. Before he was jonesing for the Oscar in La La Land, Ryan Gosling was being pursued by Disney to don the fangs and horns in their musical remake.
We’re not knocking Dan Stevens in the slightest bit, but we can’t help but wonder what might have been. Why did Gosling turn down a chance to work with Disney? Simple, he wanted the lead in La La Land. Oscar bait will do that to a guy.
William H. Macy as Marlin
Before Albert Brooks was put into the role as Nemo’s dad, Marlin, William H. Macy was not only considered for the role, but fully recorded as well. Macy was Pixar’s first choice for the lead in Finding Nemo, but when the filmmakers heard his readings, they ultimately found it wasn’t what they were looking for.
Macy was soon dropped from the project and replaced by Brooks because the team felt his performance didn’t convey the right emotions to grab the audience. In a way, the casting change really changed the film entirely. Marlin was made more sympathetic and loveable thanks to Brooks.
Joe Pesci as Mushu
At one time, Mushu wasn’t the fiery red dragon we all know and love, but a multitude of different creatures before the Disney animators finally settled on the obvious choice of a dragon. Mushu was everything from a phoenix to a two-headed lizard, and you’d be surprised who the first choice in actor actually was.
Not Eddie Murphy, but Joe Pesci was the first choice back when the two-headed variation was still on the table. Though there’s no denying Pesci’s star-power in the ’90s, we can’t stay this is something we can visualize easily.
Reese Witherspoon as Merida
For a film set in medieval Scotland, you would assume a Scottish accent would be required for pretty much most of the cast, right? So it might come as a surprise to some fans that the Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald was not the original actress for Princess Merida, but Reese Witherspoon.
Though she’s not our first choice to play the bow-wielding beauty of Brave, That is until she failed to make a convincing Scottish accent. Reese Witherspoon was Disney’s. After admitting she wasn’t the right fit for the role, Kelly MacDonald stepped in and the rest is history.
Billy Crystal as Buzz Lightyear
Before he was our favorite one-eyed-wonder, Mike Wazowski, Billy Crystal was not only asked by Pixar to portray Buzz Lightyear, but was even used for the character’s test animation when the film was in development. Some of this animation can still be seen on the bonus features for the original Toy Story.
At the time, Crystal did not have much faith in the movie, like many others at the time, so he turned down the role. The comedian has since revealed that it’s one of the biggest regrets in his career. Fortunately, they’re always hiring at Monsters Incorporated.
Patrick Stewart as Multiple
If there was an award for most refused Disney roles, Sir Patrick Stewart has to have some sort of claim. Disney approached the famous Enterprise captain for no less than three different parts. Stewart was offered the roles of Cogsworth, Jafar, and even Scar when Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King were all in production.
It wasn’t that Stewart was against being in the films, quite the opposite. It was just a matter of scheduling conflicts due to his prominent role in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was able to do a few minor roles for Disney after, but we can’t help but wistfully wonder what might have been.
