10 Even More Movie Roles Obviously Designed For Other Actors

Good looking, charismatic, wealthy, a symbol of youthful success? Yep, that's Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000 alright.

The young star was hot property after movies like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, and distributor Lions Gate Films were desperate to have him head up their adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis' controversial novel.

So desperate in fact that they fired director Mary Harron because she wanted to go with Christian Bale instead. When new director Oliver Stone and Leo both quit the project, Harron was re-hired and she got her leading man.

Filming American Psycho was a huge undertaking, as the book doesn't really lend itself to the big screen. Lions Gate probably wanted a big name like Leo onboard to ensure people actually saw it, plus his boyish charm would have provided the perfect decoy for Bateman's secret murderous side.

Instead, Bale was chosen for the part, and the film was all the better for it. He made the role his own and helped the film become a modern classic, as well as securing his own position as a superstar.

Should have listened to Mary from start.