8 Casting Moves That Could Have Changed the Course of Hollywood History

What would have happened if Al Pacino took the Han Solo role in "Star Wars," and more chaotic scenarios.

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Complex Original

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I don't need to tell you about the importance of casting, right? Picking actors for a movie can make or break it—anyone who doesn't understand this should just watch Colin Farrell in Alexander. WOOF. But from the actors' perspective, casting is just as crucial. Landing or passing on a role can have devastating implications, regardless of whether if it's a mainstay like Tom Cruise or a rising star like Chris Pratt.

You've also all heard of the butterfly effect, right? Of course you have—who doesn't see all of Ashton Kutcher's movies!? The idea of the butterfly effect is that every moment, no matter how infinitesimal, is crucial in determining future circumstances. So just imagine the chaos that would erupt if Actor A was cast in an iconic role instead of Actor B?

We did, actually. We looked at some of the biggest casting decisions in the history of film and imagined what would have happened if they went the other way. Buckle up, Bizarro Hollywood is a weird place to be.

Harrison Ford & Al Pacino

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Omri Katz & Leonardo DiCaprio

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Jon Hamm & Thomas Jane

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Katherine Heigl & Anne Hathaway

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Ray Liotta & Tom Cruise

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Kristen Stewart & Jennifer Lawrence

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John Travolta & Michael Madsen

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Chris Pratt & Glenn Howerton

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