10 Strangest Reasons Actors Turned Down Famous Movie Roles
4. Ewan McGregor Was Urged By Christian Bale To Turn It Down - American Psycho
The Role
Patrick Bateman, the (possibly) psychopathic yuppie serial killer protagonist of Bret Easton Ellis' novel on which the film is based, as was eventually played with peerlessly deranged relish by Christian Bale in a star-making performance.
But before Bale won the part outright, studio Lionsgate made an offer to Ewan McGregor, who ended up passing on it.
Why He Turned It Down
This one's simple yet extremely uncommon in Hollywood. Bale caught word that McGregor had been formally offered the role and literally called him up and asked him not to take it.
Bale had been circling the part for years before shooting started, and after almost losing the part to Leonardo DiCaprio - who turned it down to make The Beach instead - Bale was adamant that he wouldn't lose it to anyone else. According to the actor himself:
"I phoned a few people and let them know my commitment, let me tell you! I called them all and told them it was my role. Don't touch. Step away. Or if you're not going to step away, understand what you're up against."
Given that Bale and McGregor had worked together a little while earlier on Velvet Goldmine, the exchange probably wasn't quite as threatening as it sounds, but this is nevertheless a rare instance of an actor stepping away from a prime rib role for the sake of a colleague. Classy.