WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING!

Pandemic movies predicted the current global crisis - although at the time their tales of deserted cities and a fast spreading virus seemed like pure fantasy. The following ten films have been among the most streamed movies during the COVID-19 outbreak as isolated viewers turn to them to help deal with their anxieties.

All of these movies are being seen through a very different lens now much of their grim storylines have come true.

An Ebola-like virus which stems from monkeys strikes humanity as scientists battle to contain the spread. Meanwhile an Army general wants the disease as a bioweapon.

The deadly virus at the center of this film has a similar impact to COVID-19 and that’s made it a hit all over again.

Gwyneth Paltrow stars.

A mysterious virus empties the United Kingdom and reveals some of the worst aspects of humanity.

Chris Pine stars as a group of friends look for a place free of plague but run into an infected family.

Bruce Willis is a time traveler sent back to the 1990s to identify and eradicate the source of a global pandemic in the future.

A plague wipes out most of humanity but Will Smith plays a virologist fighting for survival, and a cure, in a deserted New York.

Brad Pitt battles through an infected landscape to try and find a cure for a pandemic that’s turning people into zombies.

A virus has killed most of the planet and forced survivors into small enclaves where heroes battle an evil conglomerate.

When a deadly pathogen kills billions of humans, the Earth is taken over by apes.

Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow role in Marvel’s Avengers franchise has cemented her status as one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But did you know she was not first choice for the part?

Emily Blunt was originally cast in the part but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

Scarlett is one of many second-choice selections who have stepped in to iconic roles originally intended for someone else.

Here we present some of the other big movies which may have looked very different indeed…

THE TERMINATOR (T-800)

Arnold Schwarzenegger only stepped into his signature role after producers changed their mind about first choice O.J. Simpson – ironically because they thought audiences would never believe him as a killer!

GHOST (Sam Wheat)

Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan was all set for the lead until he picked another afterlife project, the far less successful Almost an Angel, paving the way for Patrick Swayze.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS ( Clarice Starling )

Romantic comedy star Meg Ryan was wooed for the role of the FBI agent mixed up with a cannibalistic serial killer but felt the script was too dark and even offensive. Jodie Foster had no such objections and won an Oscar for the part.

THE MATRIX (Neo)

Will Smith was wanted for the blockbuster but turned it down in favor of the biggest bomb of his career, Wild Wild West. His loss was a big gain for Keanu Reeves.

BEVERLY HILLS COP (Axel Foley)

Sylvester Stallone dropped out of the fast-talking cop role in the action comedy paving the way for Eddie Murphy’s most iconic part.

TOP GUN (Maverick)

Tom Cruise is forever associated with the role of the cocky fighter pilot but he only landed it after Matthew Modine passed.

X-MEN (Wolverine)

Unknown Hugh Jackman got the career making role as the clawed mutant only when original choice Dougray Scott had to give it up when filming ran over schedule on his previous movie, Mission: Impossible 2.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS (Gandalf)

Sean Connery was even offered a share of the profits to play the wise wizard but turned it down and moviemakers turned to fellow Brit Sir Ian McKellen.

HARRY POTTER (Hagrid)

Robin Williams was all set to play Hagrid until author JK Rowling insisted on all British cast, enabling Robbie Coltrane to take over the part.

FORREST GUMP (Forrest Gump)

John Travolta was offered the part at the same time as Pulp Fiction. He opted for the Quentin Tarantino film and Tom Hanks benefited from the decision, winning an Oscar.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (Indiana Jones)

TV star Tom Selleck was cast as the action man archeologist but contractual obligations to his detective series Magnum P.I. meant he had to drop out and hand Star Wars actor Harrison Ford another hit franchise.