Actors Who Were Refused Roles For Being Too Famous

One of the hottest British actors of the early 2000s, thanks to films like “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Enemy at the Gates,” Jude Law nevertheless missed out on a number of plum roles, including that of Patrick Stewart’s clone in “Star Trek: Nemesis,” which went to newcomer Tom Hardy. But half a decade later, Law was under serious consideration for a rock n’ roll biopic, the 2007 film “Control.” That film chronicles the life of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of new wave rock band Joy Division, though few knew at the time that Law almost played the role.

Word of this came out in a 2011 Guardian interview with the film’s eventual star, Sam Riley. According to the outlet, Riley heard Law was being eyed for the part, but the director had reservations about the “Alfie” star’s big name and recognizable face. As Curtis told the paper, director Anton Corbijn was intent on casting a relative unknown, and Riley believes that this is the only reason he even had a shot at the part to begin with.

A box office bomb, “Control” still met with strong reviews. Though Riley was given high marks for his performance, it’s fair to wonder if it would have been a bigger hit with a superstar like Law playing Curtis.

One of the hottest British actors of the early 2000s, thanks to films like “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Enemy at the Gates,” Jude Law nevertheless missed out on a number of plum roles, including that of Patrick Stewart’s clone in “Star Trek: Nemesis,” which went to newcomer Tom Hardy. But half a decade later, Law was under serious consideration for a rock n’ roll biopic, the 2007 film “Control.” That film chronicles the life of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of new wave rock band Joy Division, though few knew at the time that Law almost played the role.

Word of this came out in a 2011 Guardian interview with the film’s eventual star, Sam Riley. According to the outlet, Riley heard Law was being eyed for the part, but the director had reservations about the “Alfie” star’s big name and recognizable face. As Curtis told the paper, director Anton Corbijn was intent on casting a relative unknown, and Riley believes that this is the only reason he even had a shot at the part to begin with.

A box office bomb, “Control” still met with strong reviews. Though Riley was given high marks for his performance, it’s fair to wonder if it would have been a bigger hit with a superstar like Law playing Curtis.