In 2008, Jason Statham turned down a movie role. It turned Tom Hardy into a star

Tom Hardy’s performance in *Bronson* helped make him a mainstream star, after director Nicolas Winding Refn struggled to find the right actor for the lead. Jason Statham was Refn’s first choice, but he declined the role, which ultimately went to Hardy.

Refn also approached Guy Pearce, who turned the part down. After an unsuccessful first meeting with Hardy, Refn reconsidered him on the casting director’s recommendation and decided he was right for the role. The 2008 film portrayed real-life prisoner Charles Bronson and helped launch both Hardy’s and Refn’s careers.