- Paula Patton, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, 2010. Once Oscar talk began about herLisbeth Salander role in the Swedish films of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium novel trilogy, everybody wanted to see the new Swedishsuperstar. From Ridley Scott to Brett Ratner. While shooting the Swiss Clean Out in Cannes with ex-Bond Timothy Dalton and ex-Bond villain Mads Mikkelsen, she had a slew of offers including Paramount wanting her crank up Tom Cruise’s M:I franchise. (Who remembers the girls?) She preferred London and Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes 2,with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
- Reese Witherspoon, This Means War, 2010. US director McG discussed thisjuicy villain role with her. Two lifelong best friends (Tom Hardy, Chris Pine) wage an epic battle against one another after they both fall in love with the same woman.But Noomi was, well, Scott Free…
- Alice Eve, The Raven, 2010. Australian director James McTeigue (1st AD on the Matrix trilogy and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones) met with Noomi about playing Edgar Allen Poe’s wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe, on location in Belgrade.Too late, The Girl Everyone Wanted was snatched from Hollywood by British directorsGuy Ritchie and Ridley Scott.
- Gemma Arteton, Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters, 2011. Fifteen years after the gingerbread house… Norwegian actor turned auteur Tommy Wirkola hunted his Gretel through Noomi, Eva Green, Diane Kruger before settling onTamara Drewe, herself. Great way to start his international career.
- Alice Eve, The Raven, 2011. Noomi was now… The Girl Who Was First Offered The Role of Emily…!!
- Penelope Cruz, To Rome With Love, 2011. Despite coming from auteur Woody Allen’s favourite (movie) country of Sweden, Noomi lost out to Cruze for the the hooker entering the wrong hotel room… Not great Woody Allen, said Chicago critic Roger Ebert but he’s made a film every year since 1969 – “if they cannot all be great Woody, it’s churlish to complain if they’re only good Woody.”
- Rosamund Pike, Jack Reacher, 2012. Losing a Tom Cruise movie – part one.
- Olga Kurylenko, Oblivion, 2012. And losing a Tom Cruise movie – part two. Same story for Brit Marling. No matter. Noomi wona much better deal: Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel, Prometheus! (Also losing Julia were: Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara,. Olivia Wilde, Mary Elizabeth Winstead).
- Rebecca Hall, Transcendence, 2013. Christopher Nolan’s usual cinematographer Wally Pfister was spoilt for choice of stars eager for his directing debut. Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet were also keen on Evelyn. Plus both girls with the dragon tattoo: Rapace and Rooney Mara. Alas, in April 2014, the film tanked in the US… despite top-starring Johnny Depp.
- Sarah Gadon, Cosmopolis, 2013. Marion Cotillard was first choice to co-star with Robert Pattinson. However, she was too close to delivering her and Guillaume Canet’s son, Marcel. Director David Cronenberg next looked at Noomi and Keia Knightley and voted… Gadon!
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls: 10