Introduction:

Hollywood is known for its fascinating stories and legends that surround the casting of some of the most iconic roles in film history. Many times, these stories involve unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes even friendly bets that can change the course of an actor's career. One such story involves actor Woody Harrelson and the 1994 hit comedy film, Dumb & Dumber.

Woody Harrelson and Dumb & Dumber:

It's hard to imagine anyone else playing the role of Harry Dunne alongside Jeff Daniels' Lloyd Christmas in Dumb & Dumber. However, that almost became a reality when Woody Harrelson was offered the part. Harrelson was already an established actor at the time and had appeared in numerous films, including Natural Born Killers and White Men Can't Jump.

The Pool Game Bet:

During a break from filming their previous movie, Kingpin, Harrelson was playing a game of pool with the Farrelly brothers. Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly, the directors of both Kingpin and Dumb & Dumber, offered Harrelson the role of Harry Dunne. However, they made a condition - Harrelson had to beat them in a game of pool to get the part. Harrelson, who was known to be an excellent pool player, agreed to the bet and was confident he would win.

Jeff Daniels Lands the Role:

Unfortunately for Harrelson, he lost the game and subsequently lost the role of Harry Dunne to Jeff Daniels. Daniels would go on to play the lovable but dim-witted Harry alongside Jim Carrey's Lloyd Christmas, and the film would become one of the biggest hits of 1994.

Harrelson and the Farrelly Brothers:

Despite losing out on the role, Harrelson remained on good terms with the Farrelly brothers. In fact, he went on to work with them on other films, including Kingpin and The Three Stooges. Harrelson has always been known for his sense of humor, and it seems that he took the loss in stride.

What Could Have Been:

It's hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Harry Dunne, but it's interesting to think about what could have been if Harrelson had won the game of pool. Would the film have been as successful with Harrelson in the role instead of Daniels? It's impossible to know for sure, but what is clear is that Dumb & Dumber went on to become a cult classic and solidified Jeff Daniels' place in Hollywood history.

Conclusion:

In the end, Woody Harrelson's loss was Jeff Daniels' gain, and audiences around the world got to enjoy one of the funniest and most memorable buddy comedies of all time. While it's always interesting to think about what could have been, it's clear that the film would not have been the same without Jeff Daniels in the role of Harry Dunne. Harrelson's loss may have been disappointing at the time, but it's clear that he went on to have a successful career regardless.