Martin Scorsese directs Mel Gibson in "Schindler's List" (notstarring.com)

[Bucky]

NotStarring.com is absolutely addictive! The actors considered, and sometimes even hired, for films before the role went to somebody else is amazing and thought provoking. Scorsese passed on Schindler's List because he thought the film needed to have a Jewish director (a decision mirrored by Steven Spielburg when he passed on The Last Emperor--oops).

So they offered it to Roman Polansky, who turned it down because as a Holocaust survivor he was too close to the project's topic. California-born Spielburg took the gig instead (having just realized he wasn't actually Chinese). Actors considered for the lead part include Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson (!), and (wait for it) Alan Thicke. That is not a typo. You probably thought reality couldn't top Mel Gibson for this part. Really, Alan Thicke.

Now, imagine Michael Stipe as the killer in Seven vs Denzel Washington in the Brad Pitt role. Or picture Stephen Baldwin or Jeff Bridges screaming "get off the bus!" to Ellen DeGeneres or Halle Berry in Speed. At least the part didn't go to Tom Cruise, the star of Donnie Brasco, Cry-Baby, Edward Scissorhands, and (wait for it) Footloose.

[hopein08]

1. It is addictive! And great minds think alike, by the way...

I went to this site once before but forgot the name of it and have been racking my brain for three days, trying to remember. So, naturally, I almost jumped off my chair when I saw that you mentioned it!

Great minds, Bucky, great minds!:yourock:

I'm sure I'll be there for hours now!

[terrya]

2. Oh, wow....Jerry Lewis turned down the role of Daphne...

in "Some Like It Hot". Thank GOD.

Cool site. :-)