20 Actors You Didn't Know Almost Played X-Men

5. Kate Winslet And Natalie Portman Both Turned Down Roles

There was something vulnerable but eager about Anna Paquin's performance as Rogue, and the unsteadiness in her performance helped form a picture of a mutant not quite at home with herself, and you have to suspect that that wouldn't have translated in a performance by either of these Oscar winners.

Natalie Portman was actually approached to play Jubilee, but when she turned down the opportunity, the part was cut from the script entirely, and the new version of Rogue incorporated elements of her character - as well as some of Kitty Pryde's characteristics.

Winslet meanwhile was apparently approached for the role of Rogue right out - which suggests that somewhere along the line, Fox were looking for a slightly older Rogue, perhaps before the role swallowed up Jubilee when Portman turned it down.