Considered & Dropped Projects

Throughout the years, Rachel has been mentioned or was attached to star in productions that eventually got re-cast, delayed or were never made. We only list the projects confirmed by sources, so there could be more project we did not or not yet listed.

Jump to: Untitled Moon Project (2013), The Silver Linings Playbook (2013), A Little Something for Your Birthday (2013), Dream House, I Want It All (2008), Lord’s Resistant Army (2007), The Last Kiss (2006), Fantastic Four (2005), Various Projects

Untitled Moon Project (2013)

The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported Rachel met with director Doug Liman early March 2011 to talk about possible involvement. He also met with Rosario Dawson, Megan Fox, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana and Olivia Wilde for the female lead and with Andrew Garfield, Emile Hirsch and Chris Pine for the male lead. New York Times reported that the project officially got dropped after a co-financier bailed out in September 2011.

The Silver Linings Playbook (2013)

Rachel The Hollywood Reporter reported the director David O. Russell was going to test actresses in the weekend of June 24th, 2011 for “depressed woman who, when her husband dies, goes on a sexual spree, even at the cost of her job,” in the novel this characters’ name is Tifanny. Jennifer Lawrence was cast instead.

A Little Something for Your Birthday (2013)

Rachel was attached and mentioned as the female lead of “A Little Something for Your Birthday” for over a year. The story is written by Susan E. Walter and Michael Engler is set to direct. It’s about a clothing designer struggles to find love and success after turning thirty. In March 2011 it was revealed Malin Akerman and James Marsden are attached as the leads, and we assume Rachel dropped out or turned it down.

Dream House (2011)

Rachel was attached to star alongside Daniel Craig in the thriller/drama “Dream House” late 2009/beginning of 2010. It tells the story of a man who moves his family into a new house, only to learn that the previous residents were brutally murdered, with the killer still at large. For unknown reasons Rachel dropped out and Rachel Weisz was cast instead.

I Want It All (2008)

Adam Sandler and Tim Allen were officially attached to this project and Rachel and George Clooney (as director) were ready to sign on [May 2008]. Film studio Seige Studios originally signed on but dropped out before the production started, no new film studio has signed on so far. Since 2008 no new status updates surfaced, and it’s probably safe to say this project is officially dead (for now). The story was about a down on his luck warehouse worker who wins a $400 million lottery. He’s able to buy whatever he wants, except win over the woman he loves, and must choose between the woman or the money.

Lord’s Resistant Army (2007)

Ryan Gosling wrote a script and did research in 2007 about the horrors in Sudan (Darfur). Ryan on the film: “If I finally get to make the film it will be with kids who have been part of this. It’ll be a narrative version of their own stories… I hope to make it this year“. Rachel confirmed to Entertainment Tonight Canada she would be the female lead in the movie and Ryan would be the male lead but the movie was never made.

The Last Kiss (2006)

Rachel was originally casted as Jenna but had to drop out due to other commitments. Jacinda Barrett then stepped in to replace her. Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson also starred and the film was released in 2006. The movie tells the story of Michael and Jenna. They have been a couple for three years and they want to get married and start a family. These plans seem to be well on their way when Jenna announces that she’s pregnant. But Michael is worried that his life and his youth will over for good

Fantastic Four (2005)

Rachel confirmed during an interview, while promoting “The Notebook“, she was reading the script for “Fantastic Four“ for the female lead. It was never confirmed she actual auditioned for the role. Jessica Alba was cast for the role as Sue Storm and Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis were the male leads.

Various Projects

Rachel was rumored to be involved, mentioned or considered for various projects in the past. Sometimes her involvement are typical examples of ‘Hollywood name dropping’.

• Rachel was somewhat involved in “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” with director Mira Nair but Kate Hudson was cast instead.
• Rachel was mentioned for the cast of “Welcome To People” alongside Chris Pine and Meryl Streep, only Pine made it to the original cast.
• Rachel was considered as Rachel Dawes in “The Dark Knight” (2008), but Maggie Gyllenhaal was cast instead.
• Aimee Galicia Torres approached Rachel for her feature film debut “Nothing But Dreams” (2007) alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Christina Ricci. The film was a drama about two people’s quest to follow their dreams.
• She was considered for Daisy Buchanan, among other actresses, in “The Great Gatsby” (2012), but Carey Mulligan was cast instead.
• Rachel auditioned for the role in “Mamma Mia!” (2008) but lost out to “Mean Girls” co-star Amanda Seyfried.
• Jon Favreau picked Rachel as his first choice to play Pepper Potts in Iron Man (2008) but she turned the role down. Gwyneth Paltrow was subsequently cast instead.
• Rachel turned down loads of (lead) roles according to her Elle Magazine interview in 2007, including the romantic leads in Mission Impossible 3 and Casino Royale, Anne Hathaway’s part in The Devil Wears Prada, and Agent 99 in the upcoming Get Smart, starring Steve Carell.