Michael Douglas: "Wall Street" Star Reveals Near Misses

Michael Douglas, reflecting on his career at the TCM Classic Film Festival, shared surprising details about the casting of his Academy Award-winning role in the 1987 film "Wall Street." He revealed that director Oliver Stone had initially approached Warren Beatty and Richard Gere for the part of Gordon Gekko, both of whom reportedly declined. Douglas admitted he was unaware of this during the film's production, noting that actors prefer to believe they were the first choice for a role.

Douglas, who won a leading actor Oscar for his portrayal of the ruthless investor, also discussed the 2010 sequel, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." He described the script as serious work and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play such a compelling character, a part he felt was "great." The actor is also preparing to release a memoir chronicling his five-decade Hollywood career and personal life.