What could possibly said by Tim Curry as an actor? From The Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Wild Thornberrys, he's had a remarkably diverse and illustrious career, with some of the most iconic roles in all of film and television.
However, like every actor, for every role he had ever successfully earned or agreed to do, there's another that he either failed to land at an audition or just flat out refused to take part in. Some of these roles were seemingly better off in the hands of other actors, but many others prompt a lingering thought of what might have been.
Scooby-Doo (2002): Turned Down
The first live-action Scooby-Doo film has become something of a cult classic since its release. With the perfect casting of Matthew Lillard and company, along with the hilarity of James Gunn's more satirical script, it still manages to hold up despite being drenched in early 2000's culture.
Tim Curry, a massive fan of the Hanna Barbara cartoon, had been approached to play Mr. Mondavarious, the eccentric owner of the Spooky Island theme park that calls in Mystery Inc. to investigate its paranormal activity. He seemed excited about the offer at first, but later dropped out after learning that Scrappy-Doo, a character that he and many other Scooby-Doo fans openly despise, would be appearing as well. The role was later recast with Mr. Bean himself, Rowan Atkinson, taking it on instead.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003): Rejected From
As much as the casting of the ensemble featured throughout the legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy seems completely on point and perfect, like most films, it wasn't always planned that way.
Curry never auditioned for the role, but he was one of Peter Jackson's first choices on a list of other potential candidates to play Saruman the white, which also included Jeremy Irons and Malcolm McDowell. While Curry is always fun to see in a villainous role, it's hard to imagine him capturing the same reserved elegance that Christopher Lee brought to the character.
Batman (1989): Rejected From
It's almost impossible to imagine anyone other than Jack Nicholson as the Joker to Michael Keaton's Batman. As it turns out however, the on-screen dynamic between the two characters could've been much different, since Tim Burton initially had other people in mind.
Curry was Burton's second choice for the role of Joker (after John Lithgow), and given what he brought to the screen as Pennywise in the 1990 IT mini-series, there's no doubt that he would have nailed the role. With his famously wide ear to ear smile, impressive vocal range, and his unbelievably high energy, Curry could've possibly delivered one of most memorable and haunting Joker performances in any Batman movie.
Batman The Animated Series (1992-1995): Rejected From
After Burton's Batman became a box-office success, it not only prompted a sequel, but also inspired Paul Dini and Bruce Timm to bring the character back to television with Batman: the Animated Series. Once again, Curry became a serious front runner for the role of the Joker, this time as a voice over.
It's been said for years that apparently the reason for Curry's rejection from the role was for his take on the character's voice being too scary for children. As talented a voice actor he is, and while there's no doubt he potentially could've pulled it off, it was probably for the best that he didn't land the role, even in animated form, or else the world would've been robbed of Mark Hamill's iconic and arguably definitive portrayal of the Joker.
The Lion King (1994): Turned Down
Considered by many to be one of the greatest Disney animated films of all time, The Lion King is a one of a kind movie that any working actor would consider themselves lucky to be a part of. While its all-star cast is one for the ages, and one that most likely wouldn't have worked as well with anyone else, Curry nearly became a part of it when he was considered for the voice of Scar.
Ultimately it was Curry's conflicting schedule that kept him from voicing one of the most sinister Disney villains ever created. The part would instead go to Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, and while he delivered one of the film's best performances as Scar, there's no doubt that Curry's rendition of "Be Prepared" would've been legendary.
The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert (1994): Turned Down
One of the most notable and quotable queer films ever made, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert tells the story of two drag queens and a trans woman who take their drag show on the road throughout Australia.
It's unknown why Curry turned down the role of Tick/Mitzi, though many have assumed the possibility that he simply wasn't interested in doing another role involving cross-dressing, wanting to move away from his Rocky Horror image. The role would instead go to fellow British actor Hugo Weaving.
It (2017): Turned Down
Back in 2011, when the IT film duology was still in early development, several actors were up for consideration to portray the shapeshifting, child-killing clown Pennywise. One of the ideas that was initially floated by Warner Brothers was to have Curry reprise his famous role for a new era of Stephen King fans, but he turned it down.
Given how long it took for the first film to go into production, along with Curry's stroke occurring only a year after the offer, there's no possible way he would have been able to step into the clown's shoes again even if he wanted to. An Easter-egg tribute to Curry's portrayal was featured in the first film however, as a clown doll made in the likeness of his version of Pennywise can be seen in the background of the "clown room" scene.
Amadeus (1984): Rejected From
One the greatest Best Picture Oscar winners of the 80s, Amadeus tells the story of a fictionalized account of the relationship between classical music composers Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Curry, who had played the latter character on the Broadway show, was considered for the same role in film version.
Ironically, Mark Hamill, who had replaced Curry in the role on Broadway, and would later beat him for the voice of the Joker, was also considered before being rejected as well. While Tom Hulce was later cast instead, playing the role to near perfection, it would've been fun to see Curry channel Mozart's high energy and juvenile sense of humor.
Unmade Rocky Horror Sequel: Turned Down
When a film like Rocky Horror Picture Show becomes a cultural phenomenon, a sequel may sound tempting. But more often than not, it's extremely difficult to catch lighting in a bottle twice, and Curry seemed perfectly aware of that when he refused to even support the possibility of a sequel in any way.
Co-writer of the film, Richard O'Brien, who also played the character of Riff Raff, had written a sequel that would've featured the entire cast reprising their roles. It wouldn't have made much sense for Curry to reprise his role Dr. Frank-N-Furter, considering the character's demise in the film's ending, so it's also understandable in that sense as to why Curry wouldn't want to return. He would later take part in the 2016 TV remake from Fox, instead playing the narrator/criminologist, so it's nice to know he holds no malice towards the material that made him a star.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): Rejected From
It's interesting to learn just how a film as unique as Who Framed Roger Rabbit would have an equally interesting production history. Not only was the technical aspect of the production something to be marveled at, but the list of people who were nearly cast is astounding.
Curry was one one of those people, having auditioned for the villainous role of Judge Doom, which would instead go to Christopher Lloyd. He was turned down after his performance was deemed by the film's producers to be far too frightening. Considering just how terrifying Lloyd was as Doom, especially during the film's climax, one can only imagine just how much scarier Curry had to be in his audition to face rejection for it.