10 Actors Who Must Regret Turning Down Major Film Roles

7. Tom Selleck - Indiana Jones (Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

When the first film of the Indiana Jones franchise Raiders Of The Lost Ark came along in 1981, Tom Selleck was Spielberg's first-choice for the role. He had starred as Thomas Magnum in the hugely successful TV series Magnum P.I. a year before, and had the looks, charisma and star quality to nail the role of the heroic archaeologist/college professor. Unfortunately for Selleck, the filming clashed with that of Magnum P.I. and, not wanting to quit his hugely successful role, he had to reluctantly say no. The role went to Harrison Ford, of course, and he played the character to perfection, making him one of the great film heroes of the last 30 years. The movie was an unbelievable success, and there have been three further films in the years since. It made Ford one of the world's most famous actors and heartthrobs, and a part of Selleck will surely still feel that should have been him. Selleck has still gone on to have a very fine career, starring in movies like Three Men And A Baby and TV phenomenon Friends, but he has come nowhere near matching Ford's level of fame. Had he taken the role of Indiana Jones, there's every chance he would have.