In a recent interview with Business Insider, John Leguizamo revealed some of the roles he regrets turning down in his career, including Stanley Tucci’s role in “The Devil Wears Prada” and Robin Williams’ voice role in “Happy Feet.” He also mentioned turning down Vince Vaughn’s role in the action movie “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” due to a salary concern, feeling that he was being disrespected by being offered scale while Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt received $20 million each for the film. Leguizamo acknowledged that as a person of color, he may have been too sensitive to perceived slights, but ultimately stood by his decisions.
Despite understanding that Pitt and Jolie were given higher salaries due to their A-list status, Leguizamo still felt disrespected for being offered less money for “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” In the case of “Happy Feet,” the actor already had a successful animated franchise with the “Ice Age” movies and felt he didn’t want to be typecast in roles with a similar theme. Leguizamo acknowledged that his reasons for turning down these roles were shortsighted, but at the time they seemed logical to him and he ended up missing out on significant opportunities.
Leguizamo made headlines last year for revealing that he was in negotiations to play the Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” before the role went to Michael Keaton. The studio reportedly approached Leguizamo to take on the role again, but offered him a smaller part instead. Feeling slighted by the situation, Leguizamo decided to walk away from the project, citing his grandmother’s advice to not attend a party where he wasn’t wanted.
Despite the setback with Marvel, Leguizamo hinted that he would be open to returning to a franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the right role was offered to him. He mentioned potentially playing The Riddler or a similar character in another franchise if the opportunity arose. However, he made it clear that he was not interested in taking on a small role after being promised a larger one and feeling undervalued in the process. Leguizamo’s decision to walk away from the Marvel project showcased his commitment to standing up for himself and not settling for less than he believed he deserved.
In reflecting on his career decisions, Leguizamo acknowledged that he may have missed out on significant opportunities due to his own insecurities and misconceptions. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about the future and open to taking on new challenges in the industry. Leguizamo’s honesty and integrity in navigating the competitive world of Hollywood serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for oneself and not compromising on one’s worth. As he continues to explore new projects and opportunities, it is clear that Leguizamo’s passion for his craft and commitment to his principles will guide his path forward in the entertainment industry.
