Al Pacino — Turned Down Han Solo

Al Pacino was George Lucas's first choice for Han Solo, but he passed because the script baffled him. Harrison Ford's portrayal earned over $300 million in franchise revenue and spanned five Star Wars films plus four Indiana Jones films, cementing cultural immortality. While Pacino's legendary career includes “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Scarface,” and an Oscar for “Scent of a Woman,” the missed opportunity is a stark benchmark: his decision left a $300 million-plus legacy to a rival who, unlike Pacino, embraced the role and skyrocketed to stardom.