Casting Crossroads: The Role That Nearly Was for Josh Brolin

This article explores some of the unexpected casting decisions in major films and reveals how one prominent actor nearly took on a significant role in a blockbuster series.

Josh Brolin once mentioned that he was considered for the character Miles Quaritch in the Avatar franchise, a role ultimately portrayed by Stephen Lang. In the world of film casting, similar near-misses have occurred with other renowned actors:

• Will Smith was nearly chosen for the role of Neo.
• Michelle Pfeiffer was in the running to portray Consider this alternative wording: "the determined FBI trainee Clarice Starling from the film The Silence of the Lambs.".

Many believe that Brolin’s distinctive presence would have brought a unique grit to the character of Quaritch. He recounted that the decision was challenging but was ultimately determined by the significant time commitment required for the role.

He explained that dedicating a year and a half solely to one character was simply too demanding. Reflecting on his performance as Thanos in the MCU, where his appearance was more intermittent, he noted how different that particular project was compared to a continuous role.

Brolin clarified that his decision applied only to the first Avatar film. He expressed genuine admiration for Stephen Lang, a familiar collaborator, and was pleased that the character eventually found his ideal match.