User blog:Amanim/The Lost Roles of Aaliyah

'''Ok casting an unknown someone is one of the most important processes in movie making. Placing the right actors in the right roles can determine whether or not an entire film rings true. The topic of Lost Roles is a weekly series that examines the missed opportunities, the roles that could have been and explores how some casting choices that almost happened could have changed the film industry and the comedy world at large'''.

''At the time of her tragic and untimely death in 2001, Aaliyah was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and music, and a versatile one at that. She was not only an accomplished actress, by making her debut as Jet Li's love interest in Romeo Must Die but also a successful musician as well by winning a lot of awards and doing performances on Talk Shows. Not to mention also being a model with her baggy tomboyish style of clothing''.

'''Aaliyah was an American singer and actress who died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, at the Marsh Harbour Airport on the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. She had just completed filming for the music video for her single "Rock the Boat". Employees of Virgin Records America accompanied her on the flight. The Cessna 402 twin-engine light aircraft, piloted by Luis Morales III, crashed shortly after takeoff. In addition to Aaliyah, eight other people were killed in the plane crash. She was 22 years old. The investigation following the crash looked into the possibility that the aircraft was overloaded. Three days after the crash, Aaliyah's remains were returned to the United States. Her funeral was held on August 31, 2001, in Manhattan. Her death came only a month after the release of her self-titled third album, Aaliyah. Posters for the album became memorials for grieving fans. At her funeral, she was eulogized by her brother Rashad Haughton'''.

'''Aaliyah was cut down in her prime and we will never know what great heights her movie career could have reached. Taking a look at the parts she was planning on playing is the next best thing, as it allows us to see where her career might have taken him if disaster hadn’t intervened'''.
 * 1. Honey as the title role (Aaliyah was orginaly cast for the role of Honey. But after her death the role went to Jessica Alba)
 * 2. Sprankle as the lead role (
 * 3. The Matrix Reloaded as Zee (Aaliyah was signed on to play the role of Zee. She had filmed some of scenes after finishing Queen of the Damned. Sadly she die in a plane crash before the film was released. Therefore her role was recanted to Nona Gaye)
 * 4. The Matrix Revolution as Zee (Aaliyah was also supposed to play Zee in the Sequel when she signed on for the part. Due to death Nona Gaye was cast since she looked similar to Aaliyah in appearance)
 * 5. Cradle to the Grave as
 * 6. Osmosis Jones as Leah (Aaliyah was considered for the the voice of Leah during production of Romeo Must Die. A joke would have Rock's character say her name instead of her characters name. In the end the role went to Brandy Norwood).
 * 7. Charlie's Angels as Alex (Aaliyah was considered to play Alex but they thought she was too young. In the end the role went to Lucy Liu)
 * 8. Dream Girls as (She was to play the lead role to a version of the script E. Lynn Harris wrote. In the end the role went to Beyonce Knowles)
 * 9. Get Over It as Maggie (Aaliyah was considered for the part of Maggie but it conflicted with scheduling for Romeo Must Die. In the end the role went to Zoe Saldana)
 * 10. Josie and the Pussycats as Valerie (Aaliyah was the first choice to play Valerie but she was already committed to play the lead in Queen of the Damned. In the end the role went to Rosario Dawson)

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