Tom Cruise was nearly cast in The Shawshank Redemption, but his preferred director not being able to secure the rights to direct it made it a completely different movie. Directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is one of the best Stephen King adaptations, and a major contributing factor to its legendary status lies in its excellent casting and masterful direction of its source material. Based on the 1982 King novel, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, The Shawshank Redemption is perhaps most notable for its engaging story, well-crafted drama, and compelling protagonists played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.
https://screenrant.com/the-shawshank-redemption-movie-tom-cruise-andy-almost-cast/