28 Actors Who Were Almost Cast in Iconic Movie and TV Roles

Before Jennifer Hudson came into the picture, Jamie Foxx (who played record boss Curtis Taylor in "Dreamgirls") originally wanted Hudson's fellow "American Idol" alum Fantasia Barrino to play Effie White. Apparently, director Bill Condon didn't feel the same way. "Everyone wanted me for that role except the director. But it wasn't for me," Barrino told Vibe Vixen" in January 2007. "I tried really hard. But I can't even be mad. That role was for Jennifer Hudson. I feel like I was meant to win 'American Idol.' And I feel like J was meant to play the Effie role."