Brad Pitt trivia: 10 Iconic movie roles Brad Pitt turned down

American Psycho

Looking back on Christian Bale’s acclaimed performance as psychopathic investment banking executive Patrick Bateman, it’s hard to picture any other actor playing the film’s iconic character. However, it turns out the lead role in American Psycho almost went to several other prominent leading men before the film’s casting team finally landed on Bale.

Among the many actors who almost landed the part was none other than Brad Pitt.

It turns out Pitt was attached to the film during its early stages of development until creative differences led to a change in writer and overall direction for the film.

Apollo 13

Tom Hanks has played many iconic roles over his illustrious career including the lead role in Ron Howard’s Oscar-nominated 1995 space drama Apollo 13. Were it not for another film that debut that very year, the role may very well have gone to Brad Pitt.

When putting the cast together, Pitt was originally approached about taking the role of Jim Lovell. As Pitt would later reveal, he passed on the role in deciding to instead accept the co-lead in David Fincher’s Se7en.

The Bourne Identity

Jason Bourne could have looked very different had the creative team had their original pick for the title role of the multi-film franchise.

During the early stages of the film’s development, Brad Pitt emerged as the preferred favorite for the role. Due to a commitment he made to star in Tony Scott’s Spy Game, however, Pitt had to pass on The Bourne Identity role which eventually when to Matt Damon.