Kurt Russell was reportedly considered to play palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, but Universal did not meet his salary demands. The role instead went to Sam Neill, helping shape one of the defining blockbusters of 1993 and a film that became a major commercial and cultural success.

The article says Russell’s possible casting ended quickly because the production could not afford him, although the proposed fee was not disclosed. Several other established actors, including Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss and William Hurt, were also considered before Neill was selected for the film, which ultimately grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.