What a very different Elysium we almost had. Director Neill Blomkamp originally wanted Eminem to play the role of Max, the irradiated proletarian from 2154 who decides to storm the orbital citadel of Earth’s elite and get free healthcare. Squint and you almost see a little Marshall Mathers in Matt Damon‘s take on the character: the punkish rage, the sweaty desperation. But the role ultimately went to Damon because Eminem turned down the part after Blomkamp refused to shoot the film in Detroit. He was far from the first to turn down a major movie role, however. Tom Selleck was the first choice for Indiana Jones. Sean Connery was top pick for Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. Click through our gallery of actors who said “No Thanks” to some of the most beloved characters ever created.
GALLERY: 12 Iconic Movie Roles That Famous Actors Turned Down
Follow Christian Blauvelt on Twitter @Ctblauvelt | Follow @Hollywood_com
More:
10 Actors Who Could Have Played Wolverine
Bikinis & Briefs: 20 Sexiest Movie Swimsuits
What Happened to 31 Child Stars You Forgot About?
From Our Partners:
40 Most Revealing See-Through Red Carpet Looks (Vh1)
15 Stars Share Secrets of their Sex Lives (Celebuzz)
