10 Actors Who Screwed Up Their Audition For Absolutely Unexpected Reason

Being an actor or actress can be tough, not just physically from playing challenging roles, but emotionally too. Actors often face rejection when they audition for roles, more than we might realize. It can be hard on them because they put in a lot of effort, but sometimes they don’t get the part they tried out for.

1. Harry Styles

Harry Styles wanted to play the leading role in the movie Elvis. However, the director said, “Harry is a really talented actor. I would work on something with him. The real issue with him is that he’s Harry Styles. He’s already an icon.” And the role went to Austin Butler.

2. Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon, who we know as Miranda in Sex and the City, tried out for the role of Carrie originally. In a recent podcast episode, she shared that they initially asked her to audition for Carrie, but it didn’t work out, and she ended up becoming Miranda instead.

«I auditioned, and they were like, ‘Yeah, not so much,» shared the actress.

3. Tom Holland

In the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Tom Holland wanted to play the role of Finn. He auditioned, but it didn’t go well.

He said, “I just couldn’t stop laughing. I found it so funny. And I felt really bad because she was trying really hard to be a convincing android or drone or whatever they’re called. Yeah, I obviously didn’t get the part. That wasn’t my best moment.”

4. Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prinze Jr. almost made his dream of playing Peter Parker come true in the movie Spider-Man. However, during the audition, he went off-topic.

He said, “I go into this whole universe on what my favorite parts of Spider-Man were, and I foolishly bring up the alien symbiote, which is Venom. When I left, I was like, ’You just talked about Venom instead of Spider-Man for 25 minutes,’ and I drove home so upset and angry.”

5. Timothee Chalamet

Speaking once more of Spider-Man, Chalamet revealed that he tried out for the part in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but the role eventually went to Tom Holland. Timothee shared, that his tryout didn’t go well at all.

«I read twice, and I left sweating in a total panic.» Feeling disappointed about his audition, Chalamet wanted to go back and try again. However, after a talk with his agent, he decided against it, thinking it wouldn’t be a good idea.

6. Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield wanted to play the role of Prince Caspian so badly in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia.

However, he said, «I remember I was so desperate. I auditioned for Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia, and I thought, ’This could be it, this could be it.’ And that handsome, brilliant actor, Ben Barnes, ended up getting the role. I think it was down to me and him, and I remember I was obsessed.»

7. Sean Young

Sean Young was supposed to play the role of Vicki Vale in the movie Batman. Unfortunately, the actress got into an accident and was unable to play the part properly, as it required extensive movement. She said, “They did spring the horse-riding thing on me, and I fell and had an accident.”

8. Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne auditioned for the role of Kylo Ren in the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, the role went to Adam Driver.

Eddie explained, «That was really a hilarious moment. Because it was Nina Gold, who I have to thank a lot because she’s cast me in several films, and she was just sitting there, and I was trying again and again with different versions of my kind of ’koohh paaaah’ voice. And after like 10 shots, she’s like, ’You got anything else?’ I was like, ’No.’»

9. Lucy Hale

Before Dakota Johnson landed the role of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey, Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars also auditioned for the part. Hale shared that the audition involved delivering an explicit monologue. She admitted: «And I didn’t really even know what I was saying.»

«I obviously didn’t get the part,» Hale noted. «But it was good for me because it scared the crap out of me to do an audition like that.»

10. Christian Bale

Christian Bale auditioned for the role of Jack Dawson in the movie Titanic. However, the director decided not to have two British actors playing American characters in one film. Eventually, the role landed on Leonardo Di Caprio.

Yet, in the midst of the challenges, actors learn to cope and grow. Each audition, even if it ends in rejection, becomes a learning experience. It builds resilience, strengthens their craft, and teaches them to handle the highs and lows of the industry. So, while being an actor or actress can be emotionally demanding, it’s also a journey of growth, perseverance, and the pursuit of their passion.