The Role: The Bride's former lover and arch nemesis, Bill is the final boss of the two-part movie saga, played with superbly sly menace by David Carradine. Before he won the part, however, it was offered to a number of other actors, including Jack Nicholson. What Happened?: There's not much drama here: Jack simply passed on the part without much fanfare. Would It Have Worked?: Definitely. Nicholson has always been a beast in dark roles like this, and though Bill is relatively subdued and somber throughout the movie rather than excited and frantic (as Nicholson does best), it would've been a blast to see an acting lion like him stepping up for a role like this. What do you make of these close casting calls? Shout it out in the comments!