10 Things That Almost Changed 2015's Biggest Movies

"‘That sounds like the wrong idea." - J.J. Abrams on him directing Star Wars

During the development stages, movies are constantly changing and evolving; whatever you had at the very beginning of production is very unlikely to resemble whatever it is you end up with in theatres.

And so it is that the movies you sat down and enjoyed across the span of 2015 could have easily wound up being different movies entirely; movies with other plot threads, other heroes, other villains and other set-pieces...

Had a few alternate decisions been made during production, other actors cast in leading role, or alternate filmmakers been hired, last year's slew of motion picture ventures had the potential to be twisted versions of the films you paid to watch - for better and for worse. Here are the ten of the biggest ways 2015's biggest films were almost completely different.

10. Viggo Mortensen Almost Played A Lead Role In The Hateful Eight

Warner Bros. Pictures

Viggo Mortensen isn't the first actor who springs to mind when you think "Quentin Tarantino Film," but then again you could say the same for John Travolta (and look what happened there). That's not to say that Mortensen is anything other than a hugely talented actor, however, and one who would have certainly made sense in Tarantino's latest flick.

So much so, in fact, that Tarantino actually set out to cast Mortensen - best known for his role as Aragorn in The Lord Of The Rings films - in a leading role. Unfortunately, it was never meant to be, as Mortensen explained in an interview (and subsequently regrets):

"Yeah, we did meet... wanted to start shooting at the end of the year and do rehearsals before that, and I just couldn't do that schedule-wise. That's the only reason . I wish it would have worked out, but that's what I'm talking about - you either see these films through to the end or you don't."
Having Viggo Mortensen in the movie would have changed the feel of The Hateful Eight completely, you imagine, though it wasn't clear whose part he might have nabbed had the deal eventually worked out. Kurt Russell's John Ruth, perhaps? Could've been great!
Contributor

Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.