Roles turned down by Nicolas Cage:

Nicolas Cage was considered to play John Bender.

Actor who got the part: Judd Nelson

Nicolas Cage was considered to play Charles Chaplin.

Nicolas Cage was considered to play Willy Wonka.

Actor who got the part: Johnny Depp

Nicolas Cage was set to play John Constantine at one time.

Actor who got the part: Keanu Reeves

Nicolas Cage was considered for the role of Link.

Actor who got the part: Brendan Fraser

Nicolas Cage was considered for the role of Joel Barish.

Actor who got the part: Jim Carrey

Nicolas Cage was cast in the roll of Brad, but he was 17 at the time and could not work at night, so he was then cast as one of Brad's friends.

Actor who got the part: Judge Rienhold

Nicolas Cage was mentioned as the star of Roman Polanski's movie based on Robert Harris' political novel about a ghostwriter.

Actor who got the part: Ewan McGregor

Nicolas Cage was considered for the role of Vincent. (Cage is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola)

Actor who got the part: Andy Garcia

As early as 1997, Nicolas Cage expressed interest in being cast in the lead role.

Actor who got the part: Robert Downey Jr.

Cage was considered for the role of David Gale.

Actor who got the part: Kevin Spacey

Nicolas Cage was rumored to be considered for the part of Andy Kaufman.

Actor who got the part: Jim Carrey

Cage was origninally considered for the part of Stu, when the film was pitched with a darker tone.

Actor who got the part: Brendan Fraser

Nicolas Cage turned down the role of Sands.

Actor who got the part: Johnny Depp

Nicolas Cage auditioned to play Dally. When he didn't get that role, he was offered (but turned down) the role of "Two-Bit."

Actor who got the part: Emilio Estevez

Cage was reportedly cast as Bobby Shatford but had to back out.

Actor who got the part: Mark Wahlberg

Nicolas Cage was considered for the role of Dolarhyde.

Actor who got the part: Ralph Fiennes

Was turned down for the role Joel.

Actor who got the part: Tom Cruise

Cage was offered the role of the Green Goblin.

Actor who got the part: Willem Dafoe

When the film first entered pre-production (mid 1990's) Nicolas Cage was considered for the part of Superman.

Actor who got the part: Brandon Routh

Nicolas Cage was considered for the role of Gordon Tall.

Actor who got the part: Nick Nolte

Nicolas Cage was originally going to be the main character in the movie "The Wrestler" but later turned down the role.

Actor who got the part: Mickey Rourke