While many actors regret turning down roles that went on to become classics, nothing can compare to projects that Rachel McAdams has declined. The actress turned down several highly-coveted A-list projects, as revealed in her recent profile in Bustle.
The list of projects rejected by McAdams is long, including The Devil Wears Prada, Casino Royale, Mission: Impossible III, Iron Man, and Get Smart, which were all offered to her during the two years when she returned to Canada after making a splash in Hollywood with Mean Girls and The Notebook.
Rachel McAdams Rejected Five Hit Films In Two Years
Rachel McAdams rejected these films between 2006 and 2008, missing out on some massive box office hits. Casino Royale reinvented the James Bond franchise with Daniel Craig in the lead role, and Eva Green got McAdams’ part. Besides, the first Iron Man film marked the beginning popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. McAdams eventually made it to the MCU in 2016’s Doctor Strange and reprised her role in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
“I felt guilty for not capitalizing on the opportunity that I was being given, because I knew I was in such a lucky spot,” McAdams said. “But I also knew it wasn’t quite jiving with my personality and what I needed to stay sane. There were definitely some anxious moments of wondering if I was just throwing it all away, and why was I doing that? It’s taken years to understand what I intuitively was doing.”
Rachel McAdams says she has no regrets about rejecting those films and is proud of her earlier works, such as Mean Girls and The Notebook, both of which have achieved classic status. In fact, Mean Girls is currently being adapted into a musical film based on Tina Fey’s Tony-winning Broadway production. McAdams’ next project is the Judy Blume adaptation Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which will hit the theaters on April 28.
Why Did Rachel McAdams Leave Hollywood For Two Years
Rachel McAdams’ two-year hiatus from Hollywood was a significant period in her career. After achieving critical acclaim and widespread recognition for her roles, McAdams decided to step away from the limelight and return to her native Canada.
During the interview, McAdams said she “spent her time biking around Toronto, spending time with her family, and recentering.”
Her decision was seen as unconventional, as it came when she was at the peak of her career. Despite her absence from Hollywood, McAdams continued to work on various independent projects and remained active in the Canadian film industry. In an interview with People magazine in 2009, the actress said taking a break allowed her to “recharge and be excited again” about acting.
Source: Variety
