Mel Gibson - Trivia

Roles turned down by Mel Gibson:

Mel Gibson auditioned to play Amadeus Mozart.

Actor who got the part: Tom Hulce

Turned down the Robert Rath role due to prior commitments.

Actor who got the part: Sylvester Stallone

Mel Gibson turned down the role of John Steed.

Actor who got the part: Ralph Fiennes

Mel Gibson was the first choice to play Batman, but he was already committed to Lethal Weapon 2.

Actor who got the part: Michael Keaton

Gibson was considered for the role of Harvey Dent / Two Face.

Actor who got the part: Tommy Lee Jones

Gibson was one of the actors to be offered the lead role of Jacques Mayor but turned down for an unknown reason (maybe $$).

Actor who got the part: Jean-Marc Barr

Gibson nearly passed on the lead role because he felt he was too old.

Actor who got the part: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was reportedly up for the lead role, when Jeff Kanew was attached as director, but wanted to much money.

Actor who got the part: Robin Williams

According to IMDB, had to turn down a role in Martin Scorsese's crime drama due to his commitment to "Apocalypto."

Gibson was considered for the role of Dan Gallagher.

Actor who got the part: Michael Douglas

Mel Gibson was considered for the role of Lancelot.

Actor who got the part: Richard Gere

Mel Gibson was reportedly considered for the role of Fred Flintstone.

Actor who got the part: John Goodman

Was considered to play the leading male role in Darren Aronfksy's romantic sci-fi movie that spans 1000 years.

Actor who got the part: Hugh Jackman

Mel Gibson was up for the role of Sam Wheat.

Actor who got the part: Patrick Swayze

Mel Gibson was offered, but turned down the lead role.

Actor who got the part: Russell Crowe

Mel Gibson turned down the lead role of Chandler.

Actor who got the part: Eddie Murphy

Gibson was considered to become James Bond.

Mel Gibson was supposed to have a cameo in the movie but the idea was dropped when the cast and crew protested against the idea.

Actor who got the part: Liam Neeson

Mel Gibson turned down the part of Jim Garrison.

Actor who got the part: Kevin Costner

In the early 90s, was originally supposed to star in the film for director Steven Soderbergh.

Actor who got the part: George Clooney

Mel Gibson was offered a chance to star but declined.

Actor who got the part: James Caan

Mel Gibson was considered for the lead role but he turned it down.

Actor who got the part: George Clooney

Gibson was set to star as Stu but backed out.

Actor who got the part: Colin Farrell

Gibson was considered for the role of Jack Stanton.

Actor who got the part: John Travolta

Mel Gibson turned down the lead role.

Actor who got the part: Russell Crowe

Mel Gibson turned down the role of Robin Hood because he had just done Hamlet.

Actor who got the part: Kevin Costner

One of several actors attached at some point, because the film was in development for over 10 years.

Gibson was considered for the role of Simon Templar.

Actor who got the part: Val Kilmer

Mel Gibson was interested in this film, but Steven Spielberg thought a major star would be distracting.

Reportedly turned down for the part of the Terminator.

Actor who got the part: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Mel Gibson was considered to play Eliot Ness.

Actor who got the part: Kevin Costner

Screenwriter Andrea Berloff reportedly had Gibson in mind while writing the screenplay.

Actor who got the part: Nicolas Cage

Considered for the role of Wolverine.

Did you know that Mel Gibson was not the only choice for these movies? (click to learn more)