Throughout Hollywood history, certain roles were originally written for men, but when women took them on, they stole the spotlight. These actresses reshaped the narratives and proved that gender swapping roles can sometimes lead to unforgettable cinematic moments. These changes also broke stereotypes, proving that Hollywood could and should rethink outdated conventions. Here are 12 iconic roles that were meant for men but became legendary thanks to the women who played them.
Ellen Ripley, Alien, 1979
Ellen Ripley is one of the most iconic sci-fi heroines in history, but she almost never existed. In the original script for Alien, Ripley was written as a man, a typical choice for action films of the era. However, director Ridley Scott was open to casting a woman and Sigourney Weaver stepped into the role, redefining what a female protagonist could be. Her performance turned Ripley into a strong, intelligent and resourceful hero, setting a new standard for female leads in action and science fiction.
Evelyn Salt, Salt, 2010
This fast paced spy thriller was initially written for Tom Cruise, with a male CIA agent accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. However, Angelina Jolie took on the role, and the character was rewritten as Evelyn Salt. Her intense and physical performance elevated the film beyond a standard action flick, proving that women could lead high octane blockbusters just as effectively as their male counterparts.
Dory, Finding Nemo, 2003
It might be hard to imagine Finding Nemo without Ellen DeGeneres’ unforgettable performance as the lovable, forgetful Dory, but the character was originally supposed to be a male fish. Director Andrew Stanton changed his mind after hearing DeGeneres on her talk show, captivated by the way she naturally switched topics mid sentence, perfect for Dory’s short-term memory loss. The result? One of Pixar’s most beloved characters, leading to her own spin off, Finding Dory.
Hildy Johnson, His Girl Friday, 1940
This screwball comedy classic was based on the play The Front Page, where the role of Hildy Johnson was originally written as a man. Director Howard Hawks decided to rewrite the part for Rosalind Russell, transforming it into one of the sharpest female characters of the era. The change added romantic tension between Hildy and her ex-husband or editor, played by Cary Grant, making the film a fast talking, gender flipped masterpiece.
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Murph, Interstellar, 2014
Christopher Nolan’s original vision for Interstellar had Matthew McConaughey’s character, Cooper, trying to reunite with his son. But as he developed the story, he made a pivotal change: Murph became his daughter instead. This switch gave the film an emotional core centered on a father daughter bond rather than the usual father son dynamic. Jessica Chastain’s powerful performance as the adult Murph made the change feel not only natural but essential to the film’s emotional weight.
Related:12 Things You Didn’t Know About The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
Paula, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, 2005
Judd Apatow originally planned for the store manager in The 40 Year Old Virgin to be a man. But after meeting Jane Lynch, he rewrote the role for her, creating the hilarious, no nonsense character of Paula. Her comedic timing and bold flirtations with Steve Carell’s character made her one of the film’s standout performances.
Related: 12 Actors Who Stunned Hollywood With Major Awards For Their First Roles
Karsi, Game of Thrones, 2015
Karsi, the Wildling warrior who fights alongside Jon Snow, was originally conceived as a male character. However, the showrunners decided to gender swap the role, casting Birgitte Hjort Sørensen instead. Her brief but memorable appearance in the Battle of Hardhome was both fierce and emotional, making her a fan favorite despite her tragic fate.
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Zula, Conan the Destroyer, 1984
In the Conan the Barbarian comics, Zula was a male warrior. But in Conan the Destroyer, the character was gender swapped and played by the fierce and unforgettable Grace Jones. Her powerful presence and warrior like charisma made her one of the highlights of the film, bringing a new dynamic to the sword and sorcery epic.
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Emily Stanton, Thunder Force, 2021
Octavia Spencer’s role in Thunder Force was initially written for a male actor. However, the script was rewritten to focus on female superheroes and Spencer’s character became a scientist who develops superpowers alongside her childhood friend, Melissa McCarthy. While the film had mixed reviews, it showcased that even traditionally male dominated genres like superhero comedies could benefit from fresh perspectives.
Related:15 Shockingly Close Calls: Actors Who Almost Played These Famous Movie Roles
Michelle, The Electric State, 2025
Originally envisioned as a male protagonist, Michelle’s role in The Electric State was rewritten for Millie Bobby Brown. The film follows her journey through a dystopian future, accompanied by a mysterious robot. With the Russo brothers directing and a star studded cast, this sci-fi epic aims to tell an emotional and visually striking story through its female lead.
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Adira Tal, Star Trek: Discovery, 2020
Adira Tal was initially envisioned as a male character, but the Star Trek: Discovery writers saw an opportunity to introduce a non binary character instead. They cast Blu del Barrio, who brought incredible depth and authenticity to the role, making Adira one of the most groundbreaking additions to the Star Trek universe. Their storyline as a human host to a Trill symbiont, navigating identity and legacy, added a new emotional layer to the series.
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Morgan, The New Mutants, 2020
In the original script for The New Mutants, the character of Morgan was written as a male, but the filmmakers decided to gender swap the role and cast Anya Taylor-Joy. She portrayed Illyana Rasputin, also known as Magik, a mutant with sorcery based powers and a tragic past. Taylor-Joy’s performance was one of the film’s few highlights, as she brought a mix of intensity, vulnerability and sarcasm that made Magik a scene stealer. Her portrayal stood out, proving that a fresh approach to established characters can be the best choice.
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These 12 roles prove that sometimes the best casting decisions come from breaking expectations. Whether through action, comedy or drama, these actresses brought their characters to life in ways that might never have happened if the roles had stayed male. Hollywood has long relied on gendered storytelling, but as these examples show, sometimes a fresh perspective can lead to something legendary. Hopefully, this trend will continue, opening up even more groundbreaking opportunities for women in film.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
12 Legendary Stars Who Shocked Us With Their Best Roles Later In Life
Many actors deliver iconic performances early in their careers, but some legendary stars surprise us with career defining roles much later in life. Whether through powerful performances, unexpected transformations or late career reinventions, these actors proved that talent knows no age. Some had long established careers before shocking audiences with unforgettable performances, while others re-emerged after years away from the spotlight. These roles not only earned them critical acclaim but also cemented their legacies in Hollywood history. From Oscar winning performances to unexpected genre shifts, these actors took on roles that left audiences in awe.
Read it here: 12 Legendary Stars Who Shocked Us With Their Best Roles Later In Life
15 Actors Who Proved Supporting Roles Can Be Just As Oscar Worthy As Leads
While leading roles often receive the most attention during awards season, supporting performances can be just as powerful, if not more so. Some of the most unforgettable moments in film history come from actors who, despite limited screen time, delivered performances that overshadowed the leads. These supporting roles were filled with depth, emotion, and nuance, proving that an actor does not need to be in the spotlight to steal the show
Read it here: 15 Actors Who Proved Supporting Roles Can Be Just As Oscar Worthy As Leads
15 Shockingly Close Calls: Actors Who Almost Played These Famous Movie Roles
Hollywood is a land of “what-ifs,” where talent, timing and luck collide to create unforgettable cinematic moments. Some actors land roles that feel like destiny, while others come shockingly close but miss out on iconic characters. These near misses in casting decisions have left fans wondering how different films would have been if the stars had aligned differently. Here are 15 instances where actors almost played famous movie roles and we cannot help but imagine how it might have turned out.
Read it here:15 Shockingly Close Calls: Actors Who Almost Played These Famous Movie Roles
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