Nicolas Cage — ‘The Matrix’

'The Matrix' wouldn't be 'The Matrix' without Keanu Reeves in the role of Neo, the chosen one who discovers the reality he lives in is not what it seems to be and must lead a fight against those who control it.

Can you imagine if Nicolas Cage had been Neo instead? You might think he turned the role down because wearing sunglasses so much would hide his trademark crazy eyes, but he actually turned down the part because the movie was shooting in Australia, and Cage didn't want to be away from his family for too long. Still, imagining Cage chewing scenery and sexy-dancing in a sweaty underground neo-hippie rave with Carrie-Anne Moss is pretty delightful.