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: Ecstasia (TBA), Kursk (2018), A Little Something for Your Birthday (2017), Collateral Beauty (2016), Cold City (2017), Passengers (2016), Maudie (2016), Untitled Moon Project (2013), The Silver Linings Playbook (2013), Are You Here (2013), People Like Us (2013), Dream House (2011), I Want It All (2008), Lord’s Resistant Army (2007), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), The Last Kiss (2006), Fantastic Four (2005), Nancy Drew (2002), Various Projects
Ecstasia (TBA)
In 2011 the Tracking Board reported that Rachel and James McAvoy are both the frontrunners for “Ecstasia” with a script written by Wayne Kramer who is also set to direct. Scott Eastwood and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz were cast instead.
Kursk (2018)
In October 2016 the Belgium source Vertigo reported that Rachel was attached alongside Matthias Schoenaerts and Colin Firth to star in “Kursk” with director Thomas Vinterberg set to direct. Early 2017 Deadline confirmed Rachel was once in talks for the female lead, however Lea Seydoux joined the cast in stead.
A Little Something for Your Birthday (2017)
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. Famke Janssen, Sharon Stone and Caitlin FitzGerald joined the cast instead.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2017)
In March 2010 Pajiba exclusively revealed Rachel joined Saoirse Ronan to play the sisters, while Michael Douglas (who is also producing) would play their uncle. Alexandra Daddario and Taissa Farmiga joined the cast instead.
Cold City (2017)
Tracking Board reported in 2012 that Rachel was in early talks to star in the adaption of the graphic novel “Cold City” (originally titled “The Coldest City“), Director Daniel Espinosa was also in talks to direct. Charlize Theron was cast in stead and it’s currently titled “Atomic Blonde”.
Collateral Beauty (2016)
The Wrap reported early 2016 that Rachel was in talks to join the cast of “Collateral Beauty” with Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Michael Pena and Naomie Harris and David Frankel set to direct. A few weeks later The Wrap reported “a deal failed to materialize” and Kate Winslet joined the cast instead.
Passengers (2016)
Deadline reported in 2013 that Rachel was in talks to join Keanu Reeves in Passengers and Rachel confirmed herself during the “About Time” press junket that the movie was “in works”. THR reported in 2014 that Rachel dropped out of the project which was followed by The Weinstein Company dropping out as well. Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt joined the movie instead.
Maudie (2016)
Ontario Media Development Corporation reported in 2012 that Rachel was attached to star in “Maudie” with director Jean-François Pouliot and the script written by Sherry White. A few months later details on the plots was released and it found funding during the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Sally Hawkins was cast in stead.
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.
Are You Here (2013)
According to multiple sources in 2010 Rachel was offered a role in “Are You Here” (originally tilted “You Are Here”), written and directed by Matthew Weiner. It was never confirmed which role Rachel was offered, but Amy Poehler and Melissa Rauch joined the cast in stead.
People Like Us (2012)
In 2010 various sources reported Rachel was mentioned alongside Chris Pine and Meryl Streep to star in “People Like Us” (originally titled Welcome To People) with Alex Kurtzman set to direct. Elizabeth Banks joined the cast instead.
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 Devil Wears Prada (2006)
In 2005-2007 Rachel reportedly turned down various roles, including “The Devil Wears Prada”. On the 10 year anniversary of the movie Variety confirmed Rachel was the first choice to play Andy. Anne Hathaway joined the cast as Andy after Rachel turned down the role.
The Last Kiss (2006)
Mid November 2004 it was reported that Rachel and Zach Braff were set to star in “The Last Kiss”, with Tony Goldwyn set to direct. Filming was expected to begin in April 2005, but Rachel had to drop out due to other commitments. She was originally cast as Jenna, but Jacinda Barrett 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.
Nancy Drew (2002)
Rachel mentioned she had auditioned for a Nancy Drew pilot at the beginning of her career. This was never confirmed, but Disney/ABC began the production of their Nancy Drew pilot in March 2002 in Los Angeles with actress Maggie Lawson landing the lead role of Nancy Drew. The series did not get picked up with the pilot airing as part of Disney’s The Wonderful World of Disney line-up.
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 considered for Cameron Crowe’s “We Bought a Zoo” (2011) but Scarlett Johansson was cast instead.
• 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.
