10 Actors Who Thought OTHER Actors Were Better For Their Role

The 1956 western classic The Searchers is one of the strongest collaborations between director John Ford and star John Wayne.

However, actress Natalie Wood considered herself a poor fit to play the supporting role of Debbie Edwards, the abducted niece of Wayne's steely protagonist Ethan Edwards.

Wood, a product of the constricting Hollywood studio system of the era, was contractually obliged to play Debbie for Warner Bros., who were single-mindedly concerned with finding an attractive, on-the-rise actress to put in their movie no matter what.

Wood protested extensively against the casting, feeling that she was the wrong choice to play a young woman who is kidnapped and "turned" by the Native Americans.

Wood even fought with her own mother about it, but the contract ultimately won out, leading to the actress reportedly being "miserable" throughout production.

Though Wood didn't much fancy herself for the role, it is nevertheless one of her best and most memorable performances. The fact that she didn't merely phone her work in after being forced to participate is a sure testament to the late actress' professionalism.