Christina Aguilera was reportedly considered for the role of Mimi.

At a point when Spike Lee was attached to direct RENT he reportedly considered singer Marc Anthony for the role of Roger.

Wilson Cruz was reportedly attached to play Angel before Chris Columbus came on board to direct.

Neil Patrick Harris was reportedly attached to play Mark at one point.

At one point, Beyonce was supposedly considered to play Mimi.

Spike Lee was signed on to direct the film, but changed his mind during preproduction.

When Spike Lee was attached to direct RENT, he tested Brittany Murphy for the role of Mimi. He left the project before it was ever cast. When Chris Columbus signed to direct as a feature film, he recruited the original Broadway stars (with the exception of Daphne Rubin-Vega who was pregnant, and Fredi Walker who agreed herself she had aged too much).

Shakira was reportedly attached to play Mimi before Chris Columbus came on board to direct.

Campaigned heavily to play Roger in the movie version of RENT both to Spike Lee (attached to direct but left the project) and to eventual director Chris Columbus. Dispite his want to play the role, he was never seen as appropriate vocally or in appearance.

Rikki Lee Travolta was reportedly attached to play Roger at one point.

Usher was reportedly considered for the role of Benny when Spike Lee was attached to direct.