8 Actors Who Seriously Regret Turning Down Iconic Movie Roles

2. John Travolta - Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump)

Oh, can you imagine?

The sheer likeability of Tom Hanks - and his natural charisma - ensured that he pulled off the incredibly difficult task of playing Forrest Gump. Had John Travolta - who was offered the part before Hanks signed on - ended up playing the role instead, the film might've would up as a laughing stock. Try to picture Travolta saying "Life is like a box of chocolates" without it seeming like the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen.

Still, Travolta - whose career was revamped from an '80s slump by way of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction the very same year that Forrest Gump was released - has since stated his regret in turning down the part of loveable cinematic dimwit Forrest Gump.

Unlike a lot of the parts mentioned on this list, this one seems like a potential cinematic crisis brilliantly averted; whilst Travolta might regret not nabbing Gump, the rest of the world is breathing a huge sigh of relief that such an ill-judged casting decision never occurred.