10 First Choices For Big Movie Roles (That Would Have Totally Sucked)

10. Shia LaBeouf As Oliver (Call Me By Your Name)

Much of the success of Luca Guadagnino's lavish European romance Call Me By Your Name can be traced back to the electric chemistry between stars Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Hammer's Oliver is the handsome American exchange student who brings about a sexual awakening in Chalamet's bookish musician Elio. However, this match made in heaven almost didn't happen.

Movie veteran James Ivory, who ultimately won an Oscar for writing the film, was originally tapped to occupy the director's chair as well. It was during this time that Ivory cast Shia LaBeouf to play the role of Oliver. Ivory later stepped down as director and producers got cold feet about casting a star as troubled as LaBeouf. Hammer, despite his own misgivings about taking on the part, was brought in when Guadagnino arrived as director.

It's difficult to imagine a world in which LaBeouf could have excelled in the role as Hammer did. His performances tend to be more muscular and rugged than Hammer's and, though he was excellent in American Honey, that film's romance was more built on physical attraction than the intellectual fascination that sparks between Oliver and Elio. LaBeouf is a good performer, but he comes with baggage that Call Me By Your Name did not need.