For instance, about Spiderman, since the new one starts tomorrow:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/trivia
James Cameron was originally to write and direct the movie in 1994, with Michael Biehn starring as Spiderman/Peter Parker. The film was deemed too technically challenging at the time, and Cameron opted to make True Lies (1994) instead.
In that trivia section it also mentions Cameron was considered for the new (2002) version. I wish he did direct it. Doc Oc was always my favorite spidey villain.
When James Cameron was going to direct, Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to be Dock Ock.
Just glad they didn't choose Bont.Sam Raimi was not Sony's first choice as director. Others considered were Jan de Bont, James Cameron Ang Lee and David Fincher.
Now get this one about the original Star Wars:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/trivia
George Lucas and Brian De Palma held a joint audition for Carrie (1976) and Star Wars (1977). Originally, Sissy Spacek was cast as Princess Leia, and Carrie Fisher as Carrie. However, Carrie Fisher refused to appear in nude scenes, but Spacek was willing to do them. So, they switched parts.
George Lucas feared he had a box office flop on his hands when he made the film so he intentionally distanced himself from the studio people when the film opened. He and his wife just happened to be sitting in a cafe when they looked outside at a crowd in the street. They realized that the crowd was for a theatre where this film had just opened.
I remember the posters and ads for Star Wars at that time. Everyone was talking about it. There was no doubt it would be huge.
Raiders of the Lost Ark:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/trivia
On Tombstone:Nick Nolte turned down the role of Indiana Jones.
Tom Selleck was originally cast as Indiana Jones, but he was committed to "Magnum, P.I." (1980). Magnum P.I. did an episode that parodied "Raiders", complete with hat, whip, booby traps, etc.
Selleck was Spielberg's second choice for the role of Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford was his first, but George Lucas objected, since Ford had been both American Graffiti (1973)and Star Wars (1977).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/trivia
When the Earp's first enter Tombstone, a grave marker can be seen in the cemetery that reads "Here lies Lester Moore, Four slugs from a.44, No Les No more." There is an actual tombstone in Tombstone, Arizona that has that epitaph.
The expression "I'm your huckleberry" spoken by Doc meant "I'm the perfect man for the job." and is not a reference to Mark Twain's Huck Finn as that book was published in 1885 and the movie takes place in 1881.
From Near Dark:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093605/trivia
While shooting in the desert, Lance Henriksen relieved the boredom between takes by hopping in his car and taking short drives through the desert, still in costume and often staying in character. One time he was pulled over by a highway patrolman and Henriksen's appearance and behavior - as the vampire character Jesse - so unnerved the officer that he drew his weapon and came close to shooting Henriksen before he was able to convince the cop that he was an actor filming a vampire movie nearby.
As Caleb staggers through town, just before the bus stop scene - the cinema behind him in showing Aliens (1986) which also featured Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen and Jenette Goldstein.
Henriksen, btw, was cast first as The Terminator.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088247/trivia
Lance Henriksen was originally cast as the Terminator, with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the hero. Schwarzenegger read the script, and asked to play the Terminator instead.
And even this!
Anyway, I find stuff like this interesting.O.J. Simpson was considered for the role of the terminator, but the producers feared he wouldn't be taken seriously.
: 
