Comedian Bill Murray coulda, shoulda, woulda had the most storied career in Hollywood history, if only he’d taken half of the many movie roles he was allegedly offered. If you believe it, many of our biggest stars wouldn’t have had careers if not for Murray’s leftovers, as The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray suggests that a number of the most successful films of the past 50 years almost starred Murray.
Batman
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Um, what now? Murray was supposedly considered to play Tim Burton’s version of the Dark Knight, alongside Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner and Pierce Brosnan. Michael Keaton got the job after earning his stripes as the lead in Ron Howard’s Gung Ho — after Murray turned it down, of course.
Forrest Gump
Not only did Murray allegedly turn down the role of Gump, Chevy Chase and John Travolta said no as well. That opened the door for Tom Hanks and his consecutive Academy Awards. Hanks won his other Oscar for Philadelphia, in which Murray almost played the Denzel Washington part.
Willy Wonka
When Burton remade Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he looked to his almost-Batman to play the part of Willy Wonka. Ultimately, Burton went with Johnny Depp over Murray, Nic Cage, Jim Carrey and Christopher Walken.
Eddie Valiant in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’
Director Bob Zemeckis wanted Murray for the live-action counterpart to Roger Rabbit. The trouble was, no one could get hold of Murray, so the part went to Bob Hoskins instead. Murray says he regrets missing out.
The De Niro Role in ‘Cape Fear’
Steven Spielberg had Murray penciled in as his first choice for the vengeful ex-con in Cape Fear. However, when Martin Scorsese took over as director, he opted for his old pal Robert De Niro, who was nominated for an Academy Award.
Albert Brooks’ Part in ‘Lost in America’
Albert Brooks the director preferred Murray for the lead in his comedy over Albert Brooks the actor. But Murray was living in Paris, smack-dab in the middle of a four-year sabbatical from acting, meaning Brooks had to settle for Brooks.
Bad Santa
Once again, Murray was the first choice for the movie’s lead, and according to director Terry Zwigoff, had a handshake deal to play the part. But then a familiar problem set in — no one could find Murray despite several messages left on his infamous answering machine. Eventually, producers got tired of waiting and hired Billy Bob Thornton.
The Dad in ‘Home Alone’
Why would Murray — or other considered stars like Harrison Ford or Jack Nicholson — want to play the barely-there role of Kevin’s absent-minded dad? Casting the much less famous John Heard made more sense.
Kindergarten Cop
Ghostbusters cohort Ivan Reitman offered the lead role in Kindergarten Cop to Murray first. You know the drill — Murray passed and Arnold Schwarzenegger became a comedy star.
Steve Carrell’s Part in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’
Screenwriter Michael Arndt wrote the role of suicidal scholar Frank Ginsberg with Murray in mind. The studio wanted Robin Williams. Everyone settled on Carell, though Murray later lamented missing out on this one.
Indiana Jones
This idea might be even more ludicrous than Murray as Batman. But Spielberg allegedly considered a number of Saturday Night Live and Animal House alums for the part of Indiana Jones, including Murray, Chevy Chase, Tim Matheson and Steve Martin. Raiders of the Lost Ark could have been full of food fights.
Shrek
Before Mike Myers, before Chris Farley, Spielberg won the rights to the ogre’s story and pegged Murray as his voice. Steve Martin would have been Donkey. By the time the movie was reimagined as a CGI venture 10 years later, Murray and Martin had moved on.
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