Britney Spears celebrated as a pop icon, explored the realm of acting in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Her credits include roles in movies such as Crossroads and appearances on TV shows like How I Met Your Mother. While her acting pursuits didn’t overshadow her musical career, her on-screen presence left a mark. However, she turned down a role in a famous movie starring Ryan Gosling.
Britney Spears was almost cast in the classic film The Notebook. However, she turned down the role, and the part eventually went to Rachel McAdams. While the role stood out in McAdams’ career, Spears has no regrets about turning down the part.
Britney Spears Turned Down The Iconic Role
Britney Spears revealed that the casting decision for The Notebook was a close call between herself and Rachel McAdams. She admitted that while reuniting with Ryan Gosling after their shared time on the Mickey Mouse Club would have been enjoyable, she ultimately felt relieved not to take the role. This choice allowed her to focus on her music, specifically her album In the Zone, instead of immersing herself in a 1940s heiress role around the clock.
Spears said (via People):
“The Notebook casting came down to me and Rachel McAdams, and even though it would have been fun to reconnect with Ryan Gosling after our time on the Mickey Mouse Club, I’m glad I didn’t do it. If I had, instead of working on my album In the Zone I’d have been acting like a 1940s heiress day and night.”
Britney Spears shared her perspective on the acting profession, suggesting that individuals in the field might have encountered challenges similar to hers in terms of difficulty disassociating from their on-screen characters.
Britney Spears Could’ve Starred Alongside Tom Cruise
Nicholas Sparks’ poignant romance novel, The Notebook, captivated readers with its heartfelt narrative. Building on the novel’s success, filmmaker Nick Cassavetes conceived the idea to bring this cherished story to life on the big screen. In 2004, he directed the beloved film adaptation, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the leading roles.
It’s worth noting that despite Ryan Gosling’s ideal portrayal of Noah, he wasn’t the first pick for the character. Surprisingly, the film almost featured Tom Cruise in the leading role, which means both Cruise and Spears narrowly avoided missing their chance to become household names.
At first, when Steven Spielberg was considering The Notebook, he opted for Tom Cruise and Britney Spears, both established and well-known figures in the industry. Nevertheless, when Nick Cassavetes assumed the director’s chair, he decided to take a creative leap and cast Gosling and McAdams as Noah and Allie, favoring their talent over the Hollywood A-listers.
