Why Kate Hudson Turned Down Kirsten Dunst’s Role in Spider-Man

by

Kate Hudson isn’t marveling about the roles she’s said no to.

LeAnn Rimes revealed she turned down the role of Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-Man movies.

Kate admitted to wishing she had been in a Spider-Man movie. When asked by a fan on the December 22nd episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she said, “Looking back, it’s something I wish I’d done.”

From 2002 to 2007, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst starred as the main couple in the Spider-Man films, but Kate had a different leading man in her movie.

I also worked on a film called Four Feathers,” she shared. “That’s where I met Heath Ledger, and we became good friends. It was an incredible experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

She admitted that a part of her believes everything happens for a reason, and she’s thankful for that. However, she also confessed that she sometimes wishes she had lived a different life, imagining how enjoyable it would have been.

As Andy mentioned, Kate was considered for the role of MJ in several movies, and she confirmed this with a simple, “I know, I know.”

You know, as someone who’s been around a while, it’s genuinely heartwarming to see new actors embracing iconic roles. I’ve been really impressed watching Zendaya shine – especially alongside her fiancé, Tom Holland, as Spider-Man since 2017. It’s lovely to see a fresh face bring something new to the character, and I’m happy for them both!

Kate chuckled, saying, “It’s strange hearing people comment on things like this. It’s tough to discuss because the actors in the film were perfectly cast, and everything unfolded as it was meant to.”

Kate Hudson hasn’t just turned down the role of Spider-Man. She also revealed that she and her mother, Goldie Hawn, have previously decided against projects that would have had them acting together.

Kate explained on WWHL that she and her mother are often asked about doing a project together. She said it would have to be the right story – the scripts they’ve received so far haven’t been substantial enough. Since she shares three children – 21-year-old Ryder with Chris Robinson, 14-year-old Bingham with Matt Bellamy, and 7-year-old Rani Rose with fiancé Danny Fujikawa – she feels any project they collaborate on needs to have real depth and meaning.

She emphasized that the script needed to be genuinely hilarious and offer a unique comedic approach. They’ve been discussing ideas, but haven’t yet found the right one or read anything that quite fits.

For more stars like Kate who shared iconic roles they almost had, keep reading…

 

Miles Teller, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, auditioned for several characters on Friday Night Lights, even trying out for the part that ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch.

The Star Trek actor lost out on the role, which ultimately went to Ben McKenzie, due to his bad acne.

He shared on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Happy Sad Confused, in May 2024 that he struggled with bad skin both as a teenager and again after finishing college.

In a 2021 interview, the actor from American Pie shared that turning down a particular role is one of his biggest regrets. He explained that he was questioning whether he wanted to focus on television at the time, and wasn’t sure he was ready for that career path. He admits now that it sounds a bit arrogant to say that, but that’s how he felt then.

Casting director David Rapaport revealed to EW that he initially wanted Alden Ehrenreich for the role of Dan, but producers felt Ehrenreich, who is 5’9″, wasn’t tall enough to be Blake Lively’s love interest. Ultimately, the role went to Penn Badgley, who is roughly the same height as Ehrenreich, according to online sources.

In his 2014 memoir and again on Marc Maron’s podcast, actor Rob Lowe shared that he declined the role that eventually went to Patrick Dempsey on Grey’s Anatomy. He jokingly estimated that decision cost him around $70 million, adding, “It’s just money.” Lowe explained that he saw the show’s pilot and when the character was nicknamed ‘McDreamy,’ he knew it wasn’t a good fit for him.

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his roles in Sherlock and as Doctor Strange, once tried out for the part of vampire Bill Compton. Ultimately, Stephen Moyer ended up getting the role.

Before becoming an Academy Award nominee, Jessica Chastain auditioned for the role of Sookie Stackhouse, but Anna Paquin ultimately landed the part.

When she was 17, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Crystal Norris, a werepanther, and was a strong contender. However, because of her age, the role ultimately went to Lindsay Pulsipher.

Tiffani Thiessen, known for her roles in Saved By the Bell and Beverly Hills, 90210, revealed she tried out for the part of Rachel on Friends. However, producers felt she was too young for the role.

Katherine Langford, known for her role in 13 Reasons Why, actually auditioned for the part of Betty Cooper on Riverdale. Camila Mendes, who plays Veronica on the show, shared that she remembers meeting a young man who was trying out for the role of Archie while they were all getting falafel together.

Most fans can’t picture anyone but Jennifer Love Hewitt as Jen Lindley, but the show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, recently shared with Entertainment Weekly that Katherine Heigl was a strong contender for the part. Steve Miner, who directed the pilot episode, suggested Heigl – whom he’d worked with in his 1994 film, My Father the Hero. Williamson remembers Heigl appearing more mature for her age and delivering a fantastic audition that impressed everyone involved.

Katie Holmes became a star thanks to her role as Joey Potter, Dawson Leery’s friend and love interest, but she almost didn’t get the part. According to the show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, Selma Blair was originally cast in the role. However, Williamson told Entertainment Weekly that a last-minute audition tape from Katie Holmes changed everything. He said receiving the tape, filmed in the basement of her family home in Toledo, Ohio, was a turning point for him and ultimately led to Holmes being cast.

As a huge fan of Sex and the City, I always wondered what could have been! I recently learned that Jennifer Edelstein – you might know her from House and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce – was this close to playing Carrie Bradshaw. She actually had a fully signed contract! Apparently, she was the producers’ second choice after Sarah Jessica Parker, and she was on standby, waiting to see if SJP would take the role. She said it was all dependent on Sarah Jessica’s decision. It’s wild to think about, honestly. Edelstein’s story really makes you consider how different things could have been, even though it’s hard to picture anyone but SJP as Carrie.

As a lifestyle expert, I always find the behind-the-scenes stories fascinating! Did you know that when Gossip Girl was first being cast, the network initially envisioned Ashley Olsen as Serena van der Woodsen? But casting director David Rapaport was completely captivated by Blake Lively. He actually worried they wouldn’t be able to get her, because he truly believed the show’s success hinged on her – and he didn’t have a backup plan! He really felt the show lived and died with Blake, which is quite a testament to her star power.

The CW initially wanted Rumer Willis, who would later win Dancing With the Stars, to star in Gossip Girl. However, casting director Rapaport felt she wasn’t the right fit for the role and ultimately cast her on 90210 instead. He explained to Buzzfeed that he believed the show’s success depended on finding relatively unknown actresses who truly embodied the spirit of the series, and they ended up carrying the show for six seasons. He praised Willis, saying she’s become a fantastic actress and person.

Before Keke Palmer landed her role on the comedy-horror series Scream Queens, she was a contender to play Iris West in The Flash. Ultimately, Candice Patton got the part. Casting director David Rapaport explained to Buzzfeed that while they liked Candice from the start, they weren’t ready to make a decision yet. They tested Keke Palmer and another actress, but both seemed too young alongside Grant Gustin. When Candice Patton returned for another audition, Rapaport said there was an instant connection.

Iwan Rheon recently revealed to The Telegraph that he was a finalist for the role of Jon Snow in the original Game of Thrones pilot. Ultimately, he ended up playing Ramsay Snow – a character many fans loved to hate, especially in season 5 – while Kit Harington became famous for his portrayal of Jon Snow. It’s hard to picture things any other way!

Josh Schwartz, who worked with Chris Pratt on the last season of The O.C., shared that Pratt was originally his top pick for the lead role in Chuck. However, Pratt ended up becoming famous for Guardians of the Galaxy instead. Schwartz joked that it was a good thing, adding, “He’s a really great guy.”

Katie Holmes, known for her role on Dawson’s Creek, spoke with Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan early on as the show was being developed, Kohan shared. While Holmes was a fan of the series, Kohan told TopMob News that Holmes had other commitments at the time. Kohan also noted that, initially, it wasn’t clear what the show would become.

Oh my god, you will NOT believe this! Cobie Smulders – the Robin Scherbatsky – just revealed that she originally auditioned for the role of Kate Austen on Lost! Can you even imagine?! Apparently, she was seriously considered, and if things had gone differently, How I Met Your Mother and Lost would have been totally different shows. It’s blowing my mind!

Cobie Smulders shared in a 2014 interview with TopMob News that both she and Evangeline Lilly auditioned for the show Lost. Smulders jokingly said she did so poorly in her audition that it actually helped Lilly land the role, with Lilly expressing her gratitude.

Oh my gosh, can you believe it? Everyone thinks of The Good Wife as being ALL about Julianna Margulies, and rightfully so, she is amazing! But apparently, the studio initially wanted someone else to play Alicia Florrick! She said they were considering Ashley Judd and Helen Hunt before they even thought of Julianna! Can you imagine? It just doesn’t seem right – Julianna is Alicia. I’m so glad it worked out the way it did!

It’s difficult to picture anyone but Sarah Michelle Gellar as the vampire slayer in Sunnydale, but Katie Holmes was originally offered the part in the WB series. She decided to focus on attending high school instead, paving the way for Gellar to be cast.

As a lifestyle expert, I always find casting stories fascinating! Apparently, the iconic role we now associate with Edie Falco was first offered to Lorraine Bracco. But she politely declined, explaining she’d already played a similar character in Goodfellas and was eager to take on something completely different. It just goes to show, sometimes the perfect role isn’t what you initially expect!

Before landing her record-breaking role on Empire, Taraji P. Henson shared that she actually auditioned for the part of Olivia Pope on Scandal. She admitted that when she went to read for Shonda Rhimes, she felt it was clearly meant for Kerry Washington and wondered why she was even considered. She knew the role belonged to Washington.

Believe it or not, Gillian Anderson – known for playing Agent Scully in The X-Files – was offered a part in Downton Abbey! She ultimately decided against it, and the role ended up going to Elizabeth McGovern.

 

While it’s difficult to picture anyone but her in the role, Nina Dobrev wasn’t actually the CW’s first choice for Elena Gilbert. The producers initially considered other actresses, but after revisiting Dobrev’s audition tape, they realized she was the perfect fit.

The famous singer was offered the main part in a series starring Bill Cosby, but she decided to focus on her music instead.

For fans of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker is synonymous with Carrie Bradshaw, but Dana Delany was originally offered the part. The Emmy-winning actress turned it down because she’d already appeared in several projects with mature themes – like Nude Girls and Exit to Eden – and didn’t want to take on a show with “sex” in the title.

Jerry Seinfeld offered Paul Shaffer, David Letterman’s bandleader, a job on his show without asking him to audition, but Shaffer didn’t respond to the offer.

AMC initially wanted Jane to play Don Draper, but Jon Hamm revealed in a podcast that she turned down the role because she didn’t want to be in a TV series. Ironically, Hamm later became a star on HBO’s Hung.

Read More

2025-12-23 16:48