10 Actors Who Stupidly Turned Down Iconic Roles

1. Sean Connery - The Lord Of The Rings

The Role: Gandalf

Connery remains a legend of the British and worldwide industry, mostly thanks to his earlier work (and most iconically as James Bond), and he will probably long be considered as much, despite having retired from the industry in 2004.

But before he announced his intention to stop making films thanks to his disillusionment with the "idiots now making films in Hollywood," Connery did make arguably the worst decision of his career, turning down the role of Gandalf because he apparently didn't understand the script. CNN have subsequently reported that Connery was offered up to 15% of the worldwide box office receiptsto play the wizard, which would have made him about $400 million for the trilogy, and a very happy man. So that's the price of not understanding a script then...

Sadly the experience helped convince Connery he should sign on to The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, despite not understanding that script either, but unfortunately that was clearly for different reasons. And now instead of him retiring on a high as Gandalf, we have to remember the final years of Connery's career as including both Gentlemen and the despicable The Avengers. Good call.

Did we miss any notorious casting shuns that you would have included? Share your own picks below.