Late Superman star Christopher Reeve briefly accepted a major role in 2001's Hannibal movie, then backed out of the project in a hurry. Reeve of course will always be best known for playing the Man of Steel and his reporter alter ego Clark Kent in four Superman films spanning from 1978 to 1987. That's not to say he didn't play other memorable roles, but it's hard to top channeling the essence of Superman onscreen, to the point where Reeve's version is still the best in the eyes of many.
Sadly, what likely would've been a much longer career full of more worthwhile roles was forever altered when Reeve suffered a terrible accident while riding a horse. It left Reeve paralyzed from the neck down, and he would never regain his ability to walk or breathe normally. To his credit, Reeve didn't let his injury defeat him, living for almost another decade, still taking the occasional acting role, and becoming a tireless advocate for those who were also living with spinal injuries.
Reeve was for all intents and purposes a real-life superhero just as much as he was onscreen, and remains a beloved figure today. As good an actor as he was, it's not necessarily surprising that a blockbuster sequel like Hannibal would offer him a role. What is surprising is what that role was.
The Hannibal Movie Almost Starred Christopher Reeve: Why He Quit
As crazy as it might sound, the part of detestable villain Mason Verger in Hannibal was first offered to Christopher Reeve. While this was post-accident, he had acted again a couple times by then. Their interest in Reeve was reportedly due to his performance as a paraplegic police officer in 1995's Above Suspicion, which was actually slightly before the accident. That character was a rare villain turn for Reeve. When Reeve was offered the part, he was at first quite excited, and tentatively committed. The Silence of the Lambs had been a big hit, and one assumes Reeve loved the idea of starring in its sequel.
Unfortunately, someone then filled Reeve in on the plot of the Hannibal book, and the fact that Mason Verger is both horribly disfigured, and more importantly, a sexual predator who targets children. Reeve was horrified, and immediately backed out. Gary Oldman, who had been their second choice, later took the role. Considering that he and Verger share an injury, it's not hard to see why Reeve might've been offended once he discovered what playing Mason would entail. While Mason is obviously in no shape to prey on in anyone in the film, it's still made clear that's why Hannibal broke his neck and put him in the chair. Considering Reeve's public image, it's probably very wise that he passed on the part.