Franchot Tone was under consideration-
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0867144/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
My lone criticism of this film is that Lesley Howard was miscast. His accent was poor, he was a little too old and he looked uncomfortable with the role.
So who?
Franchot Tone would have been a good choice imo.
Errol Flynn.
shareHenry Fonda and Tyrone Powers really have the Ashley look, but if Ashley has to be blonde it would be a problem. But they are so charismatic and can make you believe a girl could have a decade long crush on them I think the hair could be overlooked.
Leslie was horrible in the role, unfortunately when I read the book I visualize him and wonder who the heck would have a problem choosing Rhett over him.
Amy Adams: too plain to be Lois Lane
[deleted]
Brian Aherne. He had that dreamy, nostalgic look in his eye that Ashley must have had for the way of life that had passed him by.
Aherne was handsome enough to believable as an Ashley that Scarlett would go nuts for. Leslie Howard was too old looking and horse faced to have caught Scarlett's eye.
Aherne was not as compelling an actor as Errol Flynn and therefore not likely to upstage Gable.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Joseph Cotton
Alan Baxter
Alan Curtis
Melvyn Douglas
Laurence Olivier (yes I went there)
Bing Crosby (for star power)
Brian Aherne
yes, even Dick Powell and Van Heflin would've made a better, more age-appropriate Ashley
raymond massey
shareHe had no charisma. I didn't get why Scarlett was so madly in love with him. Underdeveloped romance.
shareAshley in the book was supposed to look blonde, dashing, and not some weakling, I believe he was portrayed like a ray on sunshine and strong before the war.
I think the suggestion of Gene Raymond would have fit this description going by some of the images of him.