18 Movies and TV Series That Would’ve Been Very Different If Other Actors Were Cast

During the casting phase of a movie or TV series, many unexpected things can happen. And while an actor’s career might be not linked to a certain project, the history could have been very different. Maybe they were considered too pretty for a role or someone else rejected their part and they were the number 2 option. Whatever the reason, we are glad that it was them who actually got the part and gave it the life it deserved.

1. Emmy Rossum almost lost her role in Shameless

It is hard to imagine that the cast of the TV series Shameless could have been different. However, Emmy Rossum, who played Fiona, the eldest daughter of the Gallagher family, could have missed the part because she was too pretty. “They didn’t want to see me; they wouldn’t even [let me] audition,” says Rossum. “They thought my image was too glamorous, that I couldn’t not be pretty.”

Emmy didn’t stop. She made a tape of herself as Fiona and showed it to the producers. And 3 more auditions later, she got the part.

2. Emma Watson and Miles Teller as Mia and Sebastian (La La Land)

La La Land, an incredible musical that received 6 Oscars, 7 Golden Globes, and 5 victories at the BAFTA Film Awards. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were really amazing. But it turns out that there could have been a completely different set of actors.

Emma Watson was offered Mia’s role but she was too busy on the set of Beauty and the Beast and considered the fairytale to be a more important project. Miles Teller could’ve played Sebastian but he wanted $6 million for the role instead of the $4 million he was offered.

3. David Schwimmer as Jay (Men in Black)

David Schwimmer was offered the role of the main hero in Men in Black, but the actor was busy with his own project called Since You’ve Been Gone and Schwimmer didn’t want to let the people that he worked with down. Even though his film failed, David cemented his good guy status.

4. Andrew Garfield wanted to play Prince Caspian.

Andrew Garfield played the iconic role of Peter Parker in one of the adaptations of the Spider-Man comics. However, Garfield was not always that fortunate. Back in 2008, Andrew was auditioning for the role of Prince Caspian in the second film of a well-known trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia. The director was choosing between Garfield and Ben Barns, who eventually won the part.

“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,’” said Andrew. When he didn’t get the part, he asked his secretary what the reason was. “She eventually just broke under my incessant nagging, and she was like, ’It’s because they don’t think you’re handsome enough, Andrew,’” he said.

5. Pamela Anderson as Scully (The X-Files)

Gillian Anderson — who was eventually cast as paranormal Agent Scully — said that Pamela was supposed to play the part of the FBI investigator. “Pamela was somebody who was more familiar to them in terms of what was on TV at the time. They were looking for someone bustier, taller, and leggier than me. They couldn’t fathom how David and I could equal success.”

6. Anne Hathaway as Tiffany (Silver Linings Playbook)

Anne Hathaway was cast as Tiffany and even started acting in the film but she had to drop out after a clash with the film director.

Later, Jennifer Lawrence replaced Anne and won an Oscar thanks to this part.

7. Jennifer Lawrence almost didn’t get cast in Winter’s Bone.

Before playing the iconic role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawerence won fame and her first nomination for an Oscar by starring in a movie called Winter’s Bone. However, Lawrence’s spectacular career might have never happened because she was considered to be too beautiful. “They turned me down, and then they moved the casting to New York,” shared Jennifer. “I put myself on a red-eye to just show up to casting the next day in New York.”

“So that always helps. Red-eye. Not showering. No makeup. Eventually, they went, ’Oh, she’s right. She’s not cute!’” she shared.

8. Salma Hayek as Betty Suarez (Ugly Betty)

Ugly Betty proved that a kind heart is the best part about a person and this role made America Ferrera really famous. Salma Hayek originally could’ve gotten this role but became the film producer of this TV series instead.

9. Ryan Gosling as Joker (Suicide Squad)

Warner Bros. wanted to offer Ryan the role of Joker, but the actor refused to sign the contract because he didn’t like the terms. Eventually, Jared Leto got this role.

10. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint weren’t considered ideal for the roles.

It was the creator of the Harry Potter world herself who confessed that this trio of actors was not the right choice to bring the characters of Hermione, Harry, and Ron to life. J. K. Rowling said that the actors were “too cute,” contrary to how she had imagined her characters: nerdy and unattractive.

11. Cameron Diaz as Mia Thermopolis (The Princess Diaries)

Many Hollywood actresses wanted to play Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries: Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson, Alicia Silverstone, and Cameron Diaz. But film producers chose Anne Hathaway.

12. Sean Penn as Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

Sean Penn and Matt Damon wanted to get a part in this movie, but film producers decided that Brad Pitt’s image was the most suitable.

13. Jamie Dornan wasn’t supposed to get the part in The Fall.

In the TV series called The Fall, Jaime Dornan played a role completely different from his most famous character, Christian Grey. However, his co-star, Gillian Anderson, revealed that Dornan might not have gotten the part at all. “The initial intention was not to hire somebody who was that attractive,” Anderson shares.

Later, Dornan got the job, but it “didn’t have anything to do with his good looks, although in the process, we realized what that would do psychologically to the viewer,” she shares. “There was something intriguing about that, most definitely.”

14. Charlize Theron as Roxie Hart (Chicago)

In one of her interviews, Charlize Theron revealed that she almost got a part in Chicago. She was removed after the original director was fired. After this Rob Marshall was hired, but she didn’t fit his vision. Charlize said she was really disappointed with his decision.

15. Al Pacino as Han Solo (Star Wars)

Al Pacino was offered the part of Han Solo in Star Wars, but the actor refused the offer after reading the script. He thought that the story was too complicated and intricate.

“I remember not understanding the script when I read it,” he told MTV.

16. Emma Watson as Cinderella

Emma was offered the part of Cinderella, but she turned down the role because she thought the fairy tale character wasn’t a suitably empowered role model. The actress was sure that a modern princess would be independent and curious, and wouldn’t have to wait for a prince to come save her.

Eventually, Lily James played Cinderella and Emma Watson starred in Beauty and the Beast.

17. Keira Knightley might’ve not played in Pride and Prejudice.

Keira Knightley, a famous British actress, played a leading role in the movie adaptation of Jane Austin’s iconic novel Pride and Prejudice. Even though Knightley seems to be a perfect match for the role of Elizabeth Bennet, the director, Joe Wright, didn’t want to hire Keira because she was too beautiful. “Then he met me and said, ’Oh no, you’re fine!’” jokes Knightley.

18. Sacha Baron Cohen as Freddie Mercury (Bohemian Rhapsody)

The idea of creating a film about Freddie appeared 8 years ago and Sacha Baron Cohen was supposed to play the main part, but he turned down the role due to a conflict with the members of Queen. Cohen wanted the film to be more realistic and harsh and the band insisted on a family drama.

Sacha Baron Cohen was replaced with Rami Malek and the actor did an amazing job. The film was released in October 2018.