20 of the Hardest Fought-For Roles in Hollywood History

As with many areas of life, some of the most iconic and star-studded Hollywood roles didn't just land in the laps of these once-unknown actors. In fact, many of them have to fight hard for the characters they want. Sometimes it doesn't pay off, but sometimes it does.

On this list are some of the hardest-fought roles in Hollywood history, and it's a good thing these actors fought as hard as they did. It is difficult to imagine any of these roles going to someone else.

To create a list of the hardest-fought roles in Hollywood history, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sites, magazines, and interviews with these actors. These sites and magazines include Good Morning America and IMDb.

This post was updated June 30th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

Winslet is the face of Rose from Titanic. It is hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Winslet has stated that upon reading the script, she cried and knew she had to play the character of Rose. After she wasn't immediately cast in the role after her screen test, she sent a single rose to David Cameron, the director, and signed it "From Your Rose." She continuously called as well, saying what she could to convince him that she needed to play Rose.

The actress set to play Ally in "A Star is Born" was Beyoncé. However, due to scheduling conflicts and money, the producers had to cast someone else in this role.

Many were surprised when Lady Gaga was cast since she had few acting credits. Yet, she went on to be nominated for an Academy Award and crushed her role as Ally.

Before "The Hunger Games," "Silver Linings Playbook," and "No Hard Feelings," Lawrence almost lost out on her breakout lead role in the film "Winter's Bone."

The director first thought Lawrence was "too pretty" to play Ree Dolly. After all, this girl was outdoorsy, doing what she could to survive. To prove the director wrong, Lawrence stated that she arrived in New York, "walked 13 blocks in the snow, and showed up to the audition with a runny nose and hair she hadn't washed in a week."

Before scoring the role of Rachel Chu in "Crazy Rich Asians" Wu was already committed to a comedy series, "Fresh Off the Boat." Although she wanted the part, she didn't see how the schedule would work.

However, she wanted the role of Rachel Chu so badly that she emailed the director explaining why this part meant so much to her. So, he accommodated the schedule to allow Wu to work both.

When Chris Carter pushed for Anderson to play Dana Scully on "The X-Files," the studio wasn't originally on board. They asked Carter, "Where's the sex appeal?" When it came to what was considered "sexy" on screen during that time, Anderson did not fit their mold. Additionally, she was unknown, which did not help.

Although several actresses were flown in to audition, Anderson landed the role. She has gone on to star "The Crown," "The Fall," and "Sex Education."

Swayze was not even considered at first for the role of Sam Wheat in "Ghost." In an interview on Good Morning America in 1990, Swayze stated that the director Jerry Zucker initially said, "Over my dead body will Patrick Swayze ever play this role."

However, Swayze convinced them to let him read for the part. When he went in for the read, he read six scenes, and before he left, the role was his.

Goldberg has several acting credits behind her name. These include "The Color Purple," "Sister Act," "Little Rascals," and "Eddie."

However, she almost didn't get her part in "Ghost" because the director saw her only as a comedian. Goldberg reminisced in an interview on "Loose Women" that Patrick Swayze had said he would only be in the movie if they hired Goldberg.

The incredible genius, albeit a bit socially awkward Spencer Reid, would not be the same if Gubler didn't play him. When he read for the character, the plan for Spencer Reid was the opposite of what Gubler made him. The studio wanted him to be "stoic."

Gubler continued to audition even after being told he was wrong for the part. After about the fifth audition, he was cast as Spencer Reid.

Gale Weathers was a stark contrast to Cox's Monica Geller. This is one reason Wes Craven didn't think she was the right person for the role; he wasn't sure she could be an audacious reporter.

However, Cox was convinced she was perfect for the role and wanted it badly. She wrote Craven a letter, and in it, she said, " I know that you don't think of me as this person, but trust me, I really can be an absolute bitch." As seen throughout the Scream franchise, Cox plays her role excellently.

At first, the studio thought Witherspoon was wrong for the role of Elle Woods. They believed she could not play a lead character who was so upbeat. She later said, "they thought I was a shrew." The studio head had difficulty seeing past her "Election" character.

Guided by her manager, she met with the studio head and "dressed sexy." Witherspoon went on to create the perfect Elle Woods character that we all know and love.

Kudrow plays Phoebe Buffay to the T in "Friends." It's hard to say if any other actress would have played a better Phoebe. Yet, she was the one cast member who had to audition for her role multiple times before it became hers.

When one thinks about Brando, the words "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" most likely pop into mind. Of course, Brando played his role as Don Vito Corleone iconically, which is why it is wild to think the role almost was not his, to begin with. While the studio was casting for the movie, they originally shrugged Brando off because he was "seen as toxic."

However, Francis Ford Coppola pushed for an audition for Brando, and his screen test landed him the role. He used black shoe polish to make his hair black and pretended to stuff Kleenex into his mouth. Brando had immediately morphed into character, and this action landed him the role.

Lautner was already the face of Jacob Black when the time to shoot the second "Twilight" movie came around. However, he was almost let go because he wasn't big enough to play Black. To keep his role, Lautner worked hard to build his muscles and convince the producers to keep him in the film.

Paul's breakthrough role was Jesse Pinkman in "Breaking Bad." However, he did not have an easy time landing this gig. His first screen test did not go well; Paul later stated that no one wanted him to play Jesse Pinkman after that.

But Vince Gilligan pulled for Paul, telling everyone else that he wouldn't do "the show unless he's the guy."

Reynolds was an avid fan of "Deadpool" becoming a film and advocated for its production. However, after disappointing roles in both "Green Lantern" and "Wolverine," it didn't look likely that Reynolds would land the role when "Deadpool" was green-lit.

Yet, he continued pushing for the part, and in the end, his fighting for the role proved worth it.

Meadows played opposite Jackie Gleason in "The Honeymooners," yet originally, he didn't want to hire her. Gleason believed that Meadows was too pretty and too young. This made her "not right for the part."

To fight for the role, Meadows hired a photographer to capture her without makeup, hair pulled back, and in an "ugly outfit." When Gleason saw the photo, he said, "That's the one," not remembering that he initially turned her away. Upon finding out, Gleason thought Meadow's humor was ingenious and it landed her the job.

Ryder played the role of Veronica Sawyer in "Heathers." While she played this role excellently, she almost didn't land the part because of her looks. Ryder was a huge fan of the script, stating it "was the greatest piece of literature since 'Catcher in the Rye.'"

However, Daniel Waters didn't think Ryder was attractive or pretty enough for the role of Veronica Sawyer. Then, when he finally met her, Ryder's enthusiasm and talent changed his mind.

When casting for "The Devil Wears Prada," Hathaway was not the person they had in mind for the role of Andrea Sachs. The role was offered to Rachel McAdams three times. However, she kept turning the role down. Others considered for the role included Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Kate Hudson.

Yet Hathaway wanted the role of Andrea Sachs so much that she continuously campaigned for it. Hathaway was seen more as a "teen" star than right for a more mature role. However, Meryl Streep said she would meet with her and then told the studio they would "work well together."

Macy stated in an interview that he wanted this role "real bad" and was "born to play the role." So, after being auditioned a few times for the part, he discovered that the team would be auditioning in New York.

Macy went to New York and crashed the audition, saying, "I'm afraid you are going to screw up your movie by casting someone else in this role." So, they gave him a chance to read again, and in the end, the part went to Macy.

Field was initially cast to play Mary Todd Lincoln opposite Liam Neeson. However, when Daniel Day-Lewis replaced Neeson as Abraham Lincoln, Spielberg thought about letting Field go. He believed she was too old to play opposite him since she was 10 years older than Day-Lewis.

Field was determined not to let the role slip out of her hands. She tested for the role again with Spielberg, in full costume, and he said she was still too much older than him. However, the next day, Spielberg called Field and said that Day-Lewis wanted to meet her, and the two met while in costume. Field described the meeting as a "magical reality."