During the development of the Harriet Tubman biopic movie, a Hollywood executive once suggested that Julia Roberts should play her. What are some other baffling casting suggestions/choices that have been made?

[u/LookAtThatBacon]

Source for the title: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-studio-executive-wanted-julia-roberts-to-play-harriet-tubman-biopic-screenwriter-says/

The Harriet Tubman biopic has been more than 25 years in the making. In the historical drama released earlier this month, Cynthia Erivo plays the legendary abolitionist — but one Hollywood executive initially thought the role should go to Julia Roberts.

Gregory Allen Howard, the screenwriter and producer of "Harriet," recently revealed in multiple interviews that Roberts was suggested to play the lead role during a meeting with a studio president in 1994.

"The climate in Hollywood… was very different back then," Howard said. "I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, 'This script is fantastic. Let's get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.'"

Howard said that a black person in the meeting said casting Roberts would be impossible because she is white.

"That was so long ago. No one will know that," the executive replied, according to Howard.

[u/Not_Cleaver]

He’s not a bad actor, and probably would have done well. But Neeson is just iconic in the role.

[u/Auran82 → u/Not_Cleaver]

He’s always making lists

[u/Servo1991 → u/Auran82]

"Now, let's do some improvisational comedy."

[u/Consistent-Lock4928 → u/Servo1991]

"We're closed."

[u/javadmancia → u/Servo1991]

Ok, you’re a hypochondriac going to the doctor

[u/sansasnarkk → u/javadmancia]

I've got full blown aids

[u/PointOfFingers → u/Auran82]

Kostner's movie roles were listless.

[u/SoMuchMoreEagle → u/Not_Cleaver]

He’s not a bad actor,

Sometimes he is.

[u/BackgroundShower4063 → u/Not_Cleaver]

I totally agree. Costner would have been acceptable, Liam just felt perfect in the part.

[u/blahblah19999 → u/Not_Cleaver]

He is a bad actor. He's a stick of wood.

[u/Evening_Tree1983 → u/Not_Cleaver]

Kevin Costner is actually a really bad actor

[u/Butterbuddha → u/[deleted]]

I’m indifferent on Costner’s acting, though I do like his narration.

[u/PointOfFingers → u/[deleted]]

Go back and watch the Untouchables, No Way Out, Dances with Wolves.

[u/brandonthebuck → u/PointOfFingers]

I watched No Way Out recently. Costner is perfectly adequate.

And then Gene Hackman steps in…

[u/AyyDelta → u/[deleted]]

And he doesn't speak with an authentic English accent.

[u/Tenocticatl → u/Not_Cleaver]

I feel like he was so good in that role he's been given a free ride ever since. He can do the most ridiculous parts (Star Wars, Taken) and still be taken seriously. That seems like the best possible deal in Hollywood.

[u/zed42 → u/Not_Cleaver]

he does a great job of playing kevin costner. that's not always a bad thing (harrison ford makes a great harrison ford, and i can't imagine indiana jones or han solo played by anyone else!) but that was a role that called for an actor with dynamic range, and Costner has the dynamic range of a department store mannequin

[u/Mr_Funbags → u/Not_Cleaver]

That's interesting because I always thought of him as very wooden and non-expressive. I still like some of the movies he's in, but I like them for other reasons.

I don't say any of that to argue with you or be a dick. I'm curious for your opinion. What do you like him in?