Start your engines — Brad Pitt is about to hit the summer box office at full throttle. In “F1“, the upcoming racing drama from “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski, Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One star staging a daring return to the track.
The film, premiering June 27 in theaters and IMAX, pairs high-octane action with emotional grit as Pitt’s character confronts past demons and a new generation of racers. With buzz building around “F1”, it’s the perfect time to revisit Pitt’s career. Brad Pitt is one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, but his career could’ve looked very different.
Over the years, he passed on several high-profile roles—some that went on to become legendary. Whether due to scheduling conflicts or creative choices, these decisions helped define his legacy in unexpected ways.
1. “The Matrix” – Neo
Brad Pitt confirmed he passed on playing Neo while speaking at the 2019 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, telling the crowd, “I really believe it was never mine… But I did pass on the Matrix. I took the red pill.” Though turning it down paved the way for Keanu Reeves to become a sci-fi action icon, Pitt shifted gears and took on the role of Tyler Durden in “Fight Club”, which hit theaters just months after “The Matrix” debuted.
2. “The Bourne Identity” – Jason Bourne
Brad Pitt was in the mix to star as Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Identity”, but his commitment to Tony Scott’s “Spy Game” ultimately took him out of the running. At the time, director Doug Liman was finalizing his shortlist for the lead, and Pitt’s scheduling conflict opened the door for Matt Damon—then primarily recognized for his work in character-driven films like “Good Will Hunting”. Damon’s performance not only redefined his career but also helped shape the future of the action genre, with the Bourne series setting a new standard for grounded, high-intensity thrillers.
3. “The Shawshank Redemption” – Tommy Williams
In the early ’90s, Brad Pitt was briefly lined up to play Tommy Williams in The Shawshank Redemption, the poignant prison drama based on a Stephen King novella. The part was a small but pivotal one, and Pitt’s involvement could have added star power to the project.
However, he exited the film to shoot Interview with the Vampire alongside Tom Cruise in New Orleans. The role of Tommy ultimately went to Gil Bellows. Reflecting on the decision years later during the film’s 25th anniversary, Pitt said he had no regrets, explaining, “I believe in the way things work out, and that was someone else’s role.”
4. “Apollo 13” – Jim Swigert
Brad Pitt was nearly part of “Apollo 13”, Ron Howard’s acclaimed space drama known for its realism and strong ensemble cast, which included Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton. Pitt was considered for the role of Command Module Pilot Jim Swigert—the part that ultimately went to Bacon.
However, he passed on the opportunity to join the astronaut crew, choosing instead to film “Se7en”, David Fincher’s dark and gripping crime thriller. In a 1995 interview with The Morning Call, Pitt revealed that he made the call to pursue “Se7en”, a film that not only achieved box office success but also became a defining moment in his career and solidified his creative partnership with Fincher.
5. “The Fountain” – Tom Creo
Brad Pitt was originally set to star as Tom Creo in Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain”, a bold and philosophical sci-fi epic. But as production dragged on, creative tensions reportedly grew between Pitt and the director. According to Entertainment Weekly, Pitt ultimately exited the film to take on the lead role in Troy, marking a major pivot toward big-budget epics. His departure caused significant delays and forced a major overhaul of the project.
Aronofsky told The Guardian, “We started working on The Fountain in 1999. We had spent $18 million – and then the lead actor quit.” While speculation swirled that the studio wanted another A-lister to replace him, Aronofsky maintained that, “creatively we grew apart. By the time it was ready to go, he wasn’t ready to go.” Hugh Jackman eventually stepped into the role, and although the film received mixed reviews, it has since gained a devoted following.
6. “Kick-Ass” – Big Daddy
After the rise of superhero blockbusters like “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man”, director Matthew Vaughn set out to bring “Kick-Ass”—based on the comic by Mark Millar—to the big screen in 2010. Vaughn, who had previously collaborated with Brad Pitt on “Snatch”, hoped Pitt would take on the role of Big Daddy in addition to producing the film.
However, Pitt was already moving forward with “Inglourious Basterds”, ultimately passing on the part. The role then went to Nicolas Cage, who brought his own comic book enthusiasm to the performance. As Vaughn later reflected during the movie’s 10-year anniversary, Cage was likely the perfect choice all along, given his deep love for the genre. Pitt ended up producing the film.
7. “State of Play” – Stephen Collins
Brad Pitt was originally attached to star as Congressman Stephen Collins in State of Play, a political thriller adapted from the acclaimed British miniseries. Despite being deeply involved with the project for over a year, Pitt exited just before filming began.
Pitt’s departure stemmed from disagreements over the final script and changes made by Universal Pictures. Rather than move forward with State of Play, Pitt shifted his focus to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination. Ben Affleck stepped in to replace him, starring alongside Russell Crowe in a film that ultimately found modest success.
8. “Almost Famous” – Russell Hammond
Brad Pitt was nearly cast as Russell Hammond, the charismatic guitarist in Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous”. The role, eventually played by Billy Crudup, became iconic in the beloved 2000 coming-of-age film. Pitt had previously connected with Crowe during auditions for Say Anything, and he was deep into the development process for “Almost Famous”.
But as Crowe later shared on the Origins podcast celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary, Pitt ultimately walked away, saying, “He had fallen in love with the idea of the character. But maybe there just wasn’t enough on the page,” adding that Pitt also felt “uncomfortable” about the age difference between Hammond and Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane. Pitt instead took on “Snatch”, where his quirky, comedic turn became one of the film’s most memorable elements and added to his cult-favorite status.
9. “About a Boy” – Will Freeman
While Brad Pitt and Hugh Grant may seem like an unlikely match for the same role, Pitt was once considered for the part of Will Freeman in “About a Boy,” the adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel. The story centers around the childish and self-centered Will, who unexpectedly forms a bond with a young boy named Marcus.
Though the character of Will seemed to be tailor-made for Grant’s awkward, lovable persona, Pitt ultimately passed on the part. He wasn’t drawn to Will’s use of Marcus to meet single mothers and instead chose to take on “The Mexican”, a genre-blending road movie that allowed him to take more risks.
10. “Deadpool 2” – Cable
Despite his striking looks and undeniable screen presence, Brad Pitt has yet to take on a full superhero role, though he came close in “Deadpool 2”. According to Collider, Pitt was initially considered for the role of Cable, but scheduling issues prevented him from joining the cast.
Director David Leitch shared, “We had a great meeting with Brad, he was incredibly interested in the property. Things didn’t work out schedule-wise. He’s a fan, and we love him, and I think he would’ve made an amazing Cable.” While he couldn’t take on the role, Pitt still made a memorable appearance in the film as Telford Porter, also known as the Vanisher, a part that left fans laughing and wishing for more.
In conclusion, Brad Pitt’s career is defined not only by the iconic roles he has taken but also by the many high-profile roles he has passed on. These decisions have shaped both his trajectory and the landscape of Hollywood cinema. As “F1” speeds into theaters on June 27, Pitt’s ability to choose his projects wisely remains as impactful as ever, ensuring that his legacy continues to grow. Don’t miss this latest chapter in his storied career – see “F1” in theaters and IMAX this summer!
