Here Is a List of 7 a-List Actors Who Auditioned for the Roles.

Nicole Kidman Was the First Actress Associated with Mr. & Mrs. Smith. She Was Set to Star in the Role Alongside Brad Pitt. However, She Had to Back out Due to Conflicts with the Stepford Wives. "On Their First Week of Shooting, They Were Like, We’re [Already] Two and a Half Months Behind Schedule," Doug Liman Who Directed the Film Recalled About Conversations with the Team Working on Nicole's Other Movie.

Johnny Depp, a Renowned Movie Star Since the '80S, Gained Critical Acclaim in 2005 for His Role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the 2003 Pirates of the Caribbean Film. During a 2005 Interview, Director Doug Liman Confirmed That Johnny Was in the Running. It Does Not Appear That He Ever Addressed the Casting Rumors. Depp Later Went on to Star in the Tourist with Angelina Jolie.

Will Smith Was Also in the Running for Pit's Role at One Point. Smith at That Time Was Famous for His Breakout Role in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Was a Fan-Favorite in Men in Black Amongst Other Roles. "There Were Some of Us Who Liked One of Them a Lot More Than the Other, and Some of Us in the Camp Who Liked the Other One More," Liman Said in Regards to Smith and Johnny Depp. "I Won’t Get Anyone in Trouble, but the End Result Is We Ended up Pursuing Both."

Johnny Depp Was Being Tentatively Paired with Cate Blanchett for the Movie. Blanchett Had Been Starring in Hollywood Projects Since the '90S and Was Fresh off Her Appearance in the Lord of the Rings.

Director Doug Liman Also Revealed That He Had Also Briefly Considered Contacting Gwyneth Paltrow, Specifically Because She and Pitt Dated. "I Had Been Interested in Casting Gwyneth Paltrow Opposite Brad Pitt," He Admitted. "Because They’re Really Exes. Think of the Spectacle of That. Fireworks Could Really Fly in That Situation. Because I’m Sure There’s Some S— One of Them Was Mad at the Other One For. You Find out What That Baggage Is and Bring It out at the Right Moment, with the Camera Rolling."

Gwen Stefani, Known for Her Musical Talents, Made Her Acting Debut in the Aviator, a Year Before Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Since Then, She Hasn't Landed Many Roles, but She Did Appear in Trolls and Was in the Running for the Role of Jane Smith.

7. Catherine Zeta-Jones

Will Smith Was Being Paired with Catherine Zeta-Jones for the Roles. She Entered Hollywood in the '90S and Hit It Big in Projects Such as Chicago and the Mask of Zorro. Liman Confirmed That She Was in the Running, "Somehow Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Name Came Up, but There Wasn’t a Lot of Unanimity About Casting Her, as There Was About Angelina Jolie."

7 a-List Actors Who Auditioned for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Roles

By Elena Rostova

• Oct 8, 2026 • 5 min read

7 a-List Actors Who Auditioned for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Roles

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Mr. & Mrs. Smith Went Down in History as the Movie That Birthed Brangelina. However, It Could Have Very Easily Starred Several Other a-List Actors. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Chemistry Took the Movie About a Husband and Wife Who Work for Opposing Teams of Assassins to the Next Level. Their Portrayal of Jane and John Smith Sizzles on Screen. They Sparked Romance Rumors While Filming and Wound up Dating and Eventually Getting Married in the Year's That Followed.

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.

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