The best picks

Can you imagine if Tom Hanks had not played Forrest Gump in the movie “Forrest Gump” and instead the character was played by John Travolta? No, neither can I. This week we are looking at some famous Oscar winning roles that almost went to different actors.

Jennifer Lawrence won the Best Actress Oscar back in 2013 for her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She was brilliant in the role and definitely deserved the award. Not many people know that it was actually Anne Hathaway who was meant to star in that role. Apparently she left the project in the early stages and then was replaced by Lawrence.

The onscreen chemistry between Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in “A Star is Born” is a big part of what makes that movie so good. The singer Beyoncé was originally supposed to play the part and I can’t imagine how the movie would have turned out if she did. Beyoncé is a phenomenal singer but, in my opinion, her acting skills are awful. Gaga received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role and won an award for Best Original Song.

Mel Gibson was supposed to play Maximus in director Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” back in 2000. Russell Crowe ended up with the role and I honestly cannot imagine anyone else playing it. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001.