What if? Ferris Beuller had been played by...

The title role of the all-time great 80's flick Ferris Beuller's Day Off, about the best ever senior skip day, had several people considered.
Here's my take on the following persons considered for the role, had any been cast as Ferris instead of Matthew Broderick:

Johnny Depp - he had not yet adopted the dark/ morose Tim Burtonesque persona that seems to dominate his best roles in the proceeding years.  He is an excellent actor that could have pulled something off, but I still think the role would not have appeared as "fun".  Who knows, maybe Johnny would have become a comedic actor later in life...

Tom Cruise - even in his early 80's roles Tom's demeanor was way too uptight to have pulled off Ferris' character in a believable way.  Had he been cast the tone would have come off more like Risky Business - entertaining, yes;  "fun", no.

Rob Lowe - the 'Brat-Pack' alum might have actually been able to pull it off had he been cast.  He has proven he can handle comedy (at least in a supporting role), so who knows?  I think of this list, he would have been the best alternate, personally.

Michael J Fox - with Family Ties, Teen Wolf, and Back to the Future already under his belt, he may have been a good choice.  However, seeing Alex P Keaton or Marty McFly take a 'day off' just would not have been as fun.  Could he have really pulled off Twist and Shout after doing Johnny B Goode, and it not seem cliche at that point?  I think not.

Jim Carrey - the only noticeable role he done prior to this movie's release was Once Bitten which was hardly a crowning comedic achievement.  Who knows maybe a slapstick physical comedy style could have suited the role?  I think the movie would have flopped with Jim Carrey in the lead.

John Cusack - a John Hughes alum from Sixteen Candles and lead character in the high school comedy Better Off Dead may have lent itself to John being a decent pick for Ferris.  Maybe.  I picture can easily John pulling off some scenes - like convincing his parents he was ill and the opening 15 minutes at home, but then I cannot picture him pulling off the restaurant sequence downtown at lunch or the parade...

Robert Downey, Jr - also a John Hughes alum from Weird Science.  I just cannot see Robert being able to pull off this role.  In his best comedic roles, he has been a supporting actor, not the lead.  Just my two cents.  The movie would have likely flopped with Robert playing Ferris.  

Every one of these men has established their place in Hollywood and has multiple excellent films to their credits.  But Ferris Beuller was "meant" for just one person, and he captured a moment in time one sunny afternoon in Chicago that will live on a long, long time.