A-list actors sometimes don’t have to audition for the roles they want. The director knows they can hold a movie on their own from past successes. Therefore, directors will try to hire the most buzz-worthy and critically acclaimed actors. So if you have a successful track record, all you need to do is meet with the director.
That meeting may be all that is required to assess whether the actor is right for the role and compatible with the director. On the other hand, if the role is a shift away from their body of work then an audition will be essential. Channing Tatum landing a role as a leading man in a rom-com might result from just a meeting, but Channing Tatum in a serious, turn-of-the-century historical drama role will require him to audition. That’s because Hollywood is notorious for typecasting actors based on their previous roles. So the director might be unconvinced that the actor can do the job according to his or her vision.
In addition, if the actor has been out of the spotlight for too long, he or she MUST audition. So, when it looks like a role might be going to somebody else, an actor might resort to something they find demeaning: begging. That’s surprising to us, so we came up with a list of actors who had to beg for their parts as well as actors who are so darn hot in Hollywood that they absolutely don’t have to beg for a role, but look closely as these actors will surprise you.
15. Begged: William H. Macy Threatened The Director’s Dogs
William H. Macy’s most indelible role is in the dark comedy Fargo. But his scene-stealing turn might’ve never happened had he not begged. Originally cast on Fargo for some minor character, Macy was determined to become the lead character Jerry Lundegaard. On his first audition as Jerry, he was denied the role despite the fact that he did some begging. Macy had no shame. After he auditioned and was denied again, rather than give up he flew to New York where he knew the Coen Brothers (the directors) were casting. Now that he knew that begging doesn’t work, Macy just broke out and made a joke that is now synonymous with his name. He told the Coens, “I’m very, very worried that you are going to screw up this movie by giving this role to somebody else. It’s my role, and I’ll shoot your dogs if you don’t give it to me.”
14. Doesn’t Beg: But Wahlberg Lives Off DiCaprio’s Scraps
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t audition. Period. The rule here is that if DiCaprio turns down a role, offer it to Mark Wahlberg. That sounds like an insult, and it may very well be, but Wahlberg and DiCaprio are friends way back when they were first starting out in Hollywood. Paul Thomas Anderson wanted DiCaprio for Boogie Nights, but he turned the part down for Titanic, and so Wahlberg took his place. DiCaprio landed the lead in The Gambler, but would not star in it unless Martin Scorsese directed. When Todd Phillips signed on as director, DiCaprio departed the film. DiCaprio then teamed up with Scorsese to star in Wolf of Wall Street, which was a good move on the actor’s part, as Wolf was not only critically acclaimed but also financially successful. Meanwhile, the lead for The Gambler was given to—yep, you guessed it–Mark Wahlberg.
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