Could you imagine anyone other than http://www.mamamia.com.au/entertainment/the-bag-that-changed-sex-and-the-city/ Sarah Jessica Parker playing the role of Carrie Bradshaw? We definitely can’t.

In our heads, SJP was always meant to be the lead inSex and the City, writing about her sexcapades (or sometimes, lack thereof) and looking stunning no matter what she pulled out of that enormous damn wardrobe of hers.

Seriously, we challenge you to imagine another actress in that role. Can you picture Katie Holmes wearing that fabulous Vivienne Westwood with a bird on her head? How about Nicole Kidman in the arms of Mr. Big or Aiden? And Gwyneth Paltrow could never have pulled off the bag and shoe stealing scene with that same panache.

Watch the trailer for the Sex And The City reboot, And Just Like That. Post continues after video.

And Matthew Broderick is not Matthew Broderick. He is Ferris Bueller. You know, the bad boy who skipped school, did the Twist and Shout on national live TV and ‘borrowed’ a Ferrari. And he stole our hearts by doing so.

But the actors in these cult classics weren’t necessarily destined to play those roles.

In fact, some of our best loved stars were only made famous by the film and TV roles that they were never supposed to have.

Here are 20 A-listers we know and love, who turned down golden movie and TV roles.

Liam Neeson turned down the James Bond in the 1995 filmGoldenEye.

The role went to Pierce Brosnan instead.

Tom Cruise turned down the role of Edward Scissorhands in the 90s cult classic filmEdward Scissorhands.

The role went to Johnny Depp instead.

Sir Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in theLord Of The Ringstrilogy.

The role was played by Ian McKellen instead.

Pierce Brosnan turned down the role of Batman in Tim Burton's 1989 filmBatman.

Micheal Keaton took on the role instead.

Laurence Fishburne turned down Jules Winnfield inPulp Fiction.

Samuel L. Jackson played the role instead.

Anne Hathaway turned down Alison Scott inKnocked Up.

Katherine Heigl played the role instead.

Jason Momoa turned down Drax the Destroyer inGuardians of the Galaxy.

The role was played by Dave Bautista instead.

Charlize Theron turned down Hippolyta (Wonder Woman's mother)in Wonder Woman.

The role went to Connie Nielsen instead.

Mark Wahlberg turned down a leading role inBrokeback Mountain.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger played the starring roles.

He also turned down the role of Donnie inDonnie Darko.

Jake Gyllenhaal ended up taking the role.

Desperate Housewivesstar Dana Delany turned down Carrie Bradshaw inSex And The City.

None other than Sarah Jessica Parker took the role.

Paul Giamatti turned down Michael Scott inThe Office.

The role went to Steve Carell instead.

Bridget Fonda turned down Ally McBeal inAlly McBeal.

The role went to Calista Flockhart instead.

Mel Gibson turned down Maximus inGladiator.

The role went to Russell Crowe instead.

Emily Browning turned down Bella Swan inTwilight.

Kristen Stewart took on the role instead.

Ryan Reynolds turned down Xander Harris inBuffy the Vampire Slayer.

The role went to Nicholas Brendon instead.

Emily Blunt turned down Black Widow inIron Man 2 / The Avengers.

Scarlett Johansson took the role instead.

Michael Richards turned down Adrian Monk inMonk.

Tony Shalhoub took the role instead.

Jack Nicholson turned down Michael Corleone in theGodfather.

The role went to Al Pacino instead.

John Travolta turned down Forrest Gump inForrest Gump.

Tom Hanks got the role instead.

Julia Roberts turned down Leigh Ann Tuohy in theBlind Side.

Sandra Bullock went on to take the role.

Which famous actors and actresses would you have preferred to see in iconic roles?

This article was originally published on July 28, 2012 and was updated on January 3, 2022.

Feature Image: Getty / HBO / Paramount.

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