Michael Douglas\u2019\u00a0Academy Award-winning role almost went to someone else.<\/p>\n
During a recent panel at the\u00a0TCM Classic Film Festival<\/a>\u00a0on Sunday, February 15, the 81-year-old actor reflected on his career and shared stories about the making of his 1987 movie, \u201cWall Street,\u201d including who almost played his role.<\/p>\n \u201cI must say, we were talking just before and doing a little preparation for this, since I have not seen the movie fully in about 40 years, because I was always just so impressed and knocked out,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I saw an article recently said that Oliver first went to Warren Beatty, who passed on it, and then to Richard Gere, who passed on it.\u201d<\/p>\n The actor shared that he never knew he wasn\u2019t director Oliver Stone\u2019s first choice, because, as an actor, \u201cyou always like to think you were the one that was chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut saying that, those poor b\u2014\u2013ds,\u201d he added. \u201cI mean, how do you think they feel? You know, with a picture they turned down.\u201d<\/p>\n Douglas went on to win the Oscar for actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko, a ruthless Wall Street investor, who takes a young stockbroker, Bud Fox, played by\u00a0Charlie Sheen, under his wing.<\/p>\n Michael Douglas speaks at the TCM Classic Film Festival New York Pop-Up on Jan. 31, 2026. Getty Images for TCM<\/p>\n Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in a scene from \u201cWall Street.\u201d Getty Images<\/p>\n The actor returned to the role in the 2010 sequel, \u201cWall Street: Money Never Sleeps.\u201d<\/a> The sequel finds Gekko newly released from prison and intent on taking down his Wall Street rivals and rebuilding the empire he lost.<\/p>\n \u201cI read the script, and it was, it was serious, serious work. So I was really happy, excited. It was a great part. You don\u2019t get many good parts in your life,\u201d Douglas said. \u201cI\u2019ve always tried to pick, having a producing background, I think are good movies, and I\u2019ll take whatever part I can in a movie that\u2019s good. I don\u2019t worry about my part, but this was a great part.\u201d<\/p>\n The actor recently shared on Instagram that he is\u00a0releasing a memoir, which will focus on his five-decade career in Hollywood, as well as his relationship with actress\u00a0Catherine Zeta-Jones, his battle with stage four cancer and other personal struggles.<\/p>\n Oliver Stone and Michael Douglas at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival after making \u201cWall Street: Money Never Sleeps.\u201d Corbis via Getty Images<\/p>\n Warren Beatty at the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 23, 2022. Getty Images for TCM<\/p>\n In his Instagram caption, Douglas shared that the process of writing the book \u201chas brought back so many memories,\u201d joking that \u201cthere\u2019s a lot to tell \u2014 before I forget.\u201d<\/p>\n Douglas and Zeta-Jones have been married for 25 years, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in November 2025.<\/p>\n \u201c25 years ago today, I walked down the aisle,\u201d Zeta-Jones captioned an anniversary slideshow shared on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>. \u201cThe intoxicating aroma of flowers, the glow of the candles, the resounding harmonious Welsh choir and you at the end of the long walk waiting for me, looking at me the way only you can. I love you today as I did then. Thank you sweetheart\u2665\ufe0f\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Gere attends the 2025 SFFilm\u2019s Awards Night on Dec. 8, 2025. AP<\/p>\n Michael Douglas with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones and their daughter Carys Zeta Douglas at the 76th annual Cannes film festival on May 16, 2023. Corbis via Getty Images<\/p>\n The second photo in the slideshow featured the actress gazing at Douglas as they sat next to each other at an event. The words, \u201cThe first time we met, my gaze\u2026\u201d were written above the photo.<\/p>\n The two first met in 1998 at the Deauville Film Festival in France. They were engaged one year later in December 1999, and tied the knot in November 2000.<\/p>\n Throughout their relationship, the couple has welcomed two children: son Dylan, 25, and daughter Carys, 22.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t