Jon Hamm was the first choice to play Nick Dunne in David Fincher's box-office smash Gone Girl though was reportedly forced to down the role by Mad Men creator Matt Weiner, who refused to relax the terms of his contract with the AMC show.

Jon HammJon Hamm [R] as Don Draper in Mad Man

Gone Girl made $368 million at the box office and scored Rosamund Pike an Oscar nomination though the lead role went to Ben Affleck after Weiner rose concerns about the shooting schedule of the film and the TV show clashing,

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A source told the New York Post's Page Six: "Matt would not let Jon out of his contract to do Gone Girl.

"Jon was really upset about it at the time and is still upset, because he's thinking about the future of his career as Mad Men comes to a close."

Hamm has already aired the final episodes of Mad Men, bringing to an end his eight years playing the troubled advertising executive Don Draper. Recently, the actor's representatives confirmed he had spent 30 days in rehabilitation for alcohol addiction, thought to be linked to the conclusion of Mad Men. 

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"With the support of his longtime partner Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm recently completed treatment for his struggle with alcohol addiction. They have asked for privacy and sensitivity going forward," his spokesperson said in a statement. 

Mad Men begins its final leg on April 5, on AMC.