It really is a world of ‘What ifs…’ Hollywood is no different. Pick any star. Chances are they must have had their own ‘what if…’, be it for the better or the worse. Joel Kinnaman must be wondering the same. When one role could have turned your life on its head, it’s only natural to wonder what if. And it is safe to say that the titular role in Mad Max: Fury Road could have set The Sound of Philadelphia star on a different path altogether.

Mad Max: Fury Road‘s success mantra

Mad Max: Fury Road belonged to another league

Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the most celebrated movies in the genre. The 6 Academy Awards it bagged in the 88th Academy Awards are a testament to this fact. And it wouldn’t have been possible without everyone who was in any capacity associated with the movie.

Director George Miller deserves a spot on that list as well. The 78-year-old had begun working for the movie well before it actually hit the theatres in 2015. Miller and Co., in Kyle Buchanan’s Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road opened up about the casting process, and how Joel Kinnaman was rejected.

The problem of plenty for George Miller and Co.

Mad Max: Fury Road could have been very different

George Miller and the casting team, which included the likes of Ronna Kress, Megan Gale, and Petrina Hull, had quite the task at their hands. A lot of names were being tossed around. Some were already heavyweights, others were booting for a shot at glory.

Stars like Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Jeremy Renner, and Armie Hammer were being discussed. Even Eminem’s name came up at one point. It was in this elite list that Ronna Kress included Joel Kinnaman.

Joel Kinnaman’s ‘What if…’

Joel Kinnaman was not cast as Max because of a shocking reason

Joel Kinnaman might have made a name for himself with The Suicide Squad. His story could have been very different. The 43-year-old was being considered to be cast as Max in the Charlize Theron starrer. But he wasn’t. And there’s a very ridiculous reason behind his non-inclusion.

Casting director Kress spoke about Kinnaman’s chances. The 63-year-old said, “Joel Kinnaman didn’t even have an American agent at the time; he was just out of Scandinavia.”

The Secrets We Keep star must have been wondering ‘What if…’