25 Things You Didn't Know About The Shawshank Redemption

2. Sidney Poitier Turned Down The Role Of Red

Sneakers Sidney Poitier
Universal

Before Morgan Freeman won the role of Red and made it forever his own, it was in fact offered to the decidedly more famous Oscar winner Sidney Poitier.

And while it's easy to see how an actor of Poitier's legend and dignity could've delivered a performance on-par with Freeman's work, Poitier actually turned the role down, believing that playing a convict wasn't setting a good example for a black man.

No word on whether he ended up regretting his decision, but it's damn-near impossible to imagine anyone but Freeman in the part nowadays.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.