20 Things You Didn't Know About War Of The Worlds

Though Tim Robbins gave a memorable performance as deranged, basement-dwelling survivalist Harlan Ogilvy, the role was actually intended for another actor who sadly had to pass on it.

None other than Bill Murray was Spielberg's first choice, but due to Murray also having signed onto Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, he was forced to decline.

As disappointing as it is that the world was robbed of a Spielberg-Murray collaboration, given that Murray doesn't have an agent or manager and only accepts roles pitched to his own private 1-800 number, it's probably fair to say that he's missed out on numerous promising parts like this.

But again, Robbins did a great job with it, so it's hard to feel too deprived.