1

Han Solo- Al Pacino

Image: Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Can you imagine the legendary Han Solo played by anyone other than Harrison Ford? Hard to picture, right? But it nearly happened: Al Pacino was actually offered the role. According to Pacino, he got the Star Wars script before it became a massive hit, but he "didn’t understand it" and decided to pass.

2

Jack Nicholson- Michael Corleone

Image: Larry Bessel, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s true that the great Jack Nicholson had no shortage of incredible roles and performances. But did you know he almost played one of cinema’s most iconic gangsters, Michael Corleone? However, Nicholson felt that "an Italian-American character should be played by an Italian-American actor" and passed on the role, which ultimately went to the brilliant Al Pacino.

3

Pretty Woman- Molly Ringwald

Image: Panio Gianopoulos, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Pretty Woman (1990) is undeniably one of the iconic films of the ’90s, made unforgettable by the stellar performances of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. But did you know the role of Vivian almost went to someone else? Molly Ringwald, star of Sixteen Candles (1984) and The Breakfast Club (1985), was originally considered, but she turned it down because she didn’t feel comfortable with the role.

4

Jack from Titanic- Matthew McConaughey

Image: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Can you picture a young Matthew McConaughey as the lovely Jack in Titanic (1997)? Hard to imagine, right? But it almost happened! Although he was five years older than Leonardo DiCaprio, both auditioned for the role. McConaughey came close to landing it but ultimately lost out because he refused to drop his Southern accent.

5

Catwoman- Madonna

Image: chrisweger, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When we think of Catwoman, Michelle Pfeiffer instantly comes to mind, as she gave us one of the most iconic portrayals of the character in Batman Returns (1992). But the role wasn’t always meant for Pfeiffer. That’s right! Catwoman almost went to the legendary Madonna. Believe it or not, the singer was originally offered the role but didn’t find it appealing at the time. Years later, she admitted she regretted passing it up.

6

Django- Will Smith

Image: Raph_PH, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In 2012, Quentin Tarantino brought us Django Unchained , inspired by the 1966 Spaghetti Western classic Django . The film was a hit, with Jamie Foxx shining as the lead. But it could have looked very different, as another actor was originally offered the role: Will Smith. After reading the script, he passed, feeling that Django was overshadowed by other characters and that the story focused too much on vengeance.

7

Mrs. Smith- Gwen Stefani

Image: Lorie Shaull from St Paul, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) isn’t just one of the sexiest films of recent years; it’s also where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie met and fell in love. But we almost missed out on this iconic couple! Why? Well, besides Angelina, other actresses and artists were considered for the role. One of them was singer Gwen Stefani, who said she "almost got it" but chose to focus on her music career instead.

8

Neo- Will Smith

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We don’t know how many roles Will Smith has turned down over the years, but he appears twice on this list! This time, it’s the legendary Neo from The Matrix franchise. According to Smith, when they offered him the role, he had also been offered Captain James West in Wild Wild West (1999) and ultimately chose that one instead.

9

Captain America- John Krasinski

Image: Gabriel Hutchinson, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

John Krasinski won our hearts as the clever Jim in The Office . But did you know he nearly became a superhero? He was close to playing Captain America! Although he even auditioned, Krasinski later joked that when he saw Chris Hemsworth in his Thor costume, he realized the role and the movie weren’t quite for him.

10

Iron Man- Tom Cruise

Image: Gabriel Hutchinson Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Iron Man, the genius billionaire who uses his brains and wealth for good, is a Marvel icon we all know and love thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s brilliant performance. But did you know we almost saw Tom Cruise dressed up as a superhero? That’s right! He was seriously considered for the role, though the way the project was pitched didn’t quite convince him.

1

Construction costs that’d make your wallet faint

Image: Jaime Labra

Back in 1912, the Titanic cost $7.5 million to build, and if you're wondering what that’d be today, it’d be over $400 million. That’s more than some sports stadiums! It took nearly three years to complete and was one of the most extravagant ships ever made.

2

Yes, there were dogs

Image: Yuki Dog

As it turns out, the Titanic wasn’t just for people. At least 12 dogs came along for the ride , lounging in a special first-class kennel. There was even a dog show scheduled for the morning of April 15. Sadly, only three tiny dogs survived, all small enough to sneak onto lifeboats tucked in coats or handbags.

3

The band really did play on

Image: Parizan Studio

Wallace Hartley, the bandleader, went down in history, and with his violin! His group kept playing as chaos unfolded around them, trying to calm passengers with music, just like the movie portrays. He didn’t make it, but his violin was found intact and later sold at an auction for $1.7 million!

4

A pocket watch frozen in time

Image: Otto Hyytiälä

The violin was not the only treasure found. Sidney Sedunary was a young steward whose pocket watch stopped ticking at exactly 1:50 a.m. , just before the ship went under. He was last seen handing out lifejackets to third-class passengers. That same watch, rusted but intact, still tells his story.

5

A survivor with frostbitten legs and Olympic dreams

Image: Shep McAllister

Richard Norris Williams spent six hours in icy water, and doctors on the rescue ship wanted to amputate his legs. He refused . And you may think he was crazy to do so, but thank God he did! He went on to win a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal. How crazy is that?

6

Finding the Titanic by accident

Image: Karl Callwood

In 1985, oceanographer Robert Ballard found the Titanic wreck. But that was just an accident ; he was actually sent by the Navy to look for two lost nuclear submarines and used the Titanic as a cover story.

7

Dishes still stacked neatly on the ocean floor

Image: Jannet Serhan

When explorers visited the Titanic wreck in 1986, they found plates still stacked like someone had just finished doing the dishes. Turns out, the wooden cabinet they were in rotted away , leaving the china perfectly arranged on the sea floor. It’s as eerie as fascinating, considering the many years that passed.

8

The ship is rusting away

Image: NOAA

And speaking of the amount of time the Titanic has been underwater, we have to say that nature is reclaiming the Titanic bit by bit. A newly discovered bacterium is literally eating the ship. Scientists estimate it could disappear completely in 20 to 30 years. The latest expeditions have already shown evidence that pieces that were previously there are gone. So… the clock's ticking.

9

No photos of the grand staircase?

Image: Maria Orlova

You’ve probably seen images of the Titanic’s beautiful grand staircase. We’re sorry to disappoint, but they’re not of the Titanic . They’re from her sister ship, the Olympic. No one thought to take a picture of the real deal before the maiden voyage. And they definitely didn’t think of doing it while it happened!

10

Milton Hershey almost boarded

Image: Janne Simoes

If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s the same Hershey from the chocolate you love. The man behind Hershey’s chocolate bars almost booked a room on the Titanic . He even wrote a $300 deposit check (big money back then!). But business delayed him, and he skipped the trip. Who do we thank for that?

11

The baker who survived two hours in icy water

Image: Maxim Hopman

Here’s a fascinating fact: Charles Joughin, the Titanic’s chief baker, survived one of the worst parts of the sinking: the freezing Atlantic water. He was reportedly treading water for two hours before rescue. Wanna know how he made it? He had been sipping whiskey to face his fate, and the alcohol in his blood kept him warm enough to survive.

12

The last lunch menu went for a tasty sum

Image: Zoshua Colah

In 2015, a copy of Titanic’s last first-class lunch menu sold for $88,000 . That’s one pricey memento. The menu included grilled mutton chops, chicken à la Maryland, and corned ox tongue. Safe to say lunch on the Titanic wasn’t your average sandwich and chips.

1

Jackson, Mississippi

Did you know Jackson, Mississippi, is named after the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson? It is one of the four state capitals named after American presidents —the other three are Jefferson City (Missouri), Lincoln (Nebraska), and Madison (Wisconsin).

Jackson is the only U.S. capital built on top of an extinct volcano. Interestingly, during the Civil War, the city was burned by Union troops, giving it the nickname "Chimneyville". In addition, Jackson is best known for being the center of the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

2

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610 as the capital of the colony of New Mexico, Santa Fe is the oldest U.S. city that still functions as a state capital today.

But that's not the only peculiarity of this quaint city with a temperate climate and a unique historical and cultural richness. At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is also the highest U.S. capital.

3

Honolulu, Hawaii

Known for its spectacular beaches and rich cultural heritage, Honolulu is the only state capital not on the North American mainland. Considered the birthplace of modern surfing, it also has the highest average annual temperature of any U.S. state capital.

But those aren't the only interesting facts about Hawaii's capital. Here are a few equally (or more) crazy ones: it hosts the only royal palace in the United States (Iolani Palace), the island is made up of volcanic soil, and it houses the world's largest open-air shopping mall (Ala Moana Center).

4

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is a historic city on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, known for its colonial architecture, nautical tradition, and academic value. But did you know it is also the smallest U.S. capital by land area? Just 6.7 square miles!

Annapolis was also one of the nine capitals the United States has had throughout its history. For nine months during the Revolutionary War, Maryland's current state capital served as the seat of the Confederation Congress.

5

Bismarck, North Dakota

If you thought Juneau, Alaska, had the lowest average winter temperature of all state capitals, think again! It's actually Bismarck, North Dakota, where the coldest temperature ever recorded was -45°F. Imagine that!

Bismarck was founded in 1872 on the banks of the Missouri River. The city was named after Otto von Bismarck, the chancellor of Germany, to attract German investors. Another fun fact? In 1930, Bismarck and Fargo had a dispute, known as the "Capitol Tower War," over which city should be the state capital.

6

Charleston, West Virginia

Did you know that the original name of West Virginia's capital was Charles Town in honor of the father of Colonel George Clendenin, one of the first settlers?

Charleston is best known for offering a unique combination of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.

7

Hartford, Connecticut

Founded in 1635, Connecticut's capital is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Hartford is known for being a key cultural center in New England. It was the home of writer Mark Twain and is home to historic sites such as the State Capitol, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, and Bushnell Park, the oldest public park in the country.

Hartford is also called the "insurance capital of the world" due to the presence of major insurance companies. But the city's most curious fact is that it was where Teddy Roosevelt, aboard the Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton, took the first presidential automobile ride in history!

8

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's capital city is best known for its role in the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg has been an important center of transportation and commerce. Today, it is known for its historic architecture, museums, and special events.

Harrisburg is also home to the longest stone arch bridge in the world, the Rockville Bridge, built in 1902. Oh, and in 1979, it came close to a nuclear disaster due to the accident at the Three Mile Island plant, the worst in U.S. history —but that's a longer story for another article!

9

Olympia, Washington

Located at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Washington's state capital is known for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. But did you know Olympia is the northernmost state capital in the contiguous U.S.?

Oh, and it's also a great place to try some of the best craft beer in the country.

10

Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah's state capital is popular for being one of the best places to ski in the United States. But that's not all! Salt Lake City is also the only state capital with three words in its name. Have you ever thought about that?

It has the largest Mormon population in the country and is the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another fun fact? Salt Lake City is home to more plastic surgeons per capita than any other state capital!

11

Montpelier, Vermont

Named after the French city of the same name, Montpelier is the least populated state capital, with a population of just 7,900. Probably for that reason, Vermont's capital prides itself on its small local businesses: it is the only state capital that doesn't have a McDonald's or a Starbucks. Could you live without these fast food chains? It doesn't have a Walmart store either!

12

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas’s state capital, has several interesting tidbits. For example, did you know its name, of Native American origin, means "a good place to dig potatoes"? Interesting, don’t you think?

In 2010, Topeka temporarily changed its name to "Google, Kansas" to attract the attention of the internet giant and become the capital city of fiber optics. Frivolous facts aside, Topeka was also very important in the history of the civil rights movement.