Second time lucky

Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond, “Almost Famous”

Original Casting Choice: Writer-director Cameron Crowe envisioned Brad Pitt for the role of a guitarist who shoulders his fame as a burden. But Pitt, who seems to have commitment issues (he also abandoned “The Fountain” and “State of Play”), departed the film because he reportedly didn’t “get” it, according to Crowe.

Why the Switch Worked: An actor who can always be counted on for complex, multi-layered character work, Crudup conveyed a rock star’s contradictory, selfish-yet-sensitive nature with ease. If the film had performed better at the box office, he might have achieved a level of stardom equal to his character’s.