For some of us, movie dads are more like dads to us than our "real" dads. So messing with them is very delicate terrain. Finding out that, say, Warren Beatty was almost Mrs. Doubtfire is like telling us all those Christmas presents from "Dad" were really from Mom -- it's a truth we almost can't handle. That's not the only shocker. As we approach Father's Day, here are some more movie dads who almost were. (Photoshops by Kristy Puchko.)

  • Tom Hanks, 'Field of Dreams'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    Tom Hanks was offered the Ray Kinsella role in 'Field of Dreams,' but turned it down. The task of "building it so they will come" ultimately went to Kevin Costner.

  • Jack Nicholson, 'A Christmas Story'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    Jack Nicholson was considered for the part of The Old Man in 'A Christmas Story' but thankfully didn't get it. He would've made the leg lamp scene so much creepier.

  • Jimmy Stewart, 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    Jimmy Stewart turned down the role of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird because he thought the script was "too liberal" and he feared the film would be controversial. His loss, Gregory Peck's gain.

  • Warren Beatty, 'Mrs. Doubtfire'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    Author Anne Fine wanted Warren Beatty to play the lead in the movie adaptation of her book 'Alias Madame Doubtfire.' Given his reputation as a womanizer, she thought it would be funny for him to dress up as a lady. Funny for her, weird for the rest of us.

  • Henry Fonda, 'It's a Wonderful Life'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    While it's hard to imagine anyone else besides James Stewart as George Bailey, director Frank Capra considered both Cary Grant and Henry Fonda for the lead in 'It’s a Wonderful Life.'

  • James Caan, 'Kramer vs. Kramer'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    James Caan was offered the role of Ted Kramer in ‘Kramer Vs. Kramer’ but turned it down. Which is a good thing, because it would be hard to take Sonny Corleone seriously as a loving father. We can only imagine the smack little Justin Henry would've gotten in the ice cream scene.

  • Bill Murray, 'The Squid and the Whale'

    Kristy Puchko
    Kristy Puchko
    loading...

    Bill Murray was set to star in 'The Squid and the Whale,' but backed out at the last minute because he wanted a break after filming 'Broken Flowers.' Jeff Daniels took over, and scored a Golden Globe nomination, among other accolades.

More From ScreenCrush