10 More Movie Roles Obviously Designed For Other Actors
3. George Clooney As Jack Frost - Jack Frost
For every great Christmas movie there are a dozen hollow, unashamed cash grabs. One of these is Warner Bros’ 1998 Christmas flop Jack Frost that centres around a father, written for George Clooney, who becomes reincarnated as his kids’ snowman.
When Clooney left the project, things got mighty awkward. For one, the snowman animatronics handled by the experts over at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop had modelled the character’s facial features and acting style on the A-lister, so it would be hard to shake the idea that whoever stepped into the role was playing second fiddle. Many names were considered or approached but it was Michael Keaton who eventually took the chance.
Ironically, Clooney left Jack Frost to work on Batman & Robin, a series that Keaton had been instrumental in kicking off back in 1989.
Unfortunately, the departure of George Clooney also prompted the film’s director, Sam Raimi, to jump ship too. His replacement was Troy Miller who, whilst having experience in television and stand-up, had never directed a feature before.
The film was an abject failure, failing to make back its budget or impress audiences in any way. Clooney seems to have narrowly avoided disaster as, whether you think it looks like him or not, the Snowman character was heavily criticised for just being weird and creepy. At least Batman & Robin, as stupid as it is, is fun.