Michael Douglas Wasn't the First Choice for 'Wall Street'—Guess Who Was?

Michael Douglas recently revealed that his iconic role in "Wall Street" almost went to other actors during a panel at the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 81-year-old actor discussed his career and shared insights into the making of the 1987 film.

Behind the Scenes of "Wall Street"

Douglas mentioned that director Oliver Stone initially offered his Academy Award-winning role to Warren Beatty and Richard Gere, who both declined. Despite not being the first choice, Douglas expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reflected on the significance of landing such a prominent part.

The Impact of Gordon Gekko

The portrayal of Gordon Gekko, a ruthless investor, earned Douglas an Oscar for Best Actor. He reprised the character in the 2010 sequel, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," which explores Gekko's return from prison and his attempts to rebuild his empire.

A Memoir in the Works

Douglas announced on Instagram that he is working on a memoir focusing on his five-decade Hollywood career, relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones, and personal challenges like battling stage four cancer. He shared that writing has brought back many memories, adding humorously that there's much to share before he forgets.

Catherine Zeta-Jones commemorated their 25th wedding anniversary in November 2025 with a heartfelt Instagram post. The couple married in 2000 after meeting at the Deauville Film Festival in France in 1998 and have two children together, Dylan and Carys.