We Imagined How 17 Movie and TV Characters Would Look Like if the Role Was Given to Other Actors

Some actors portray a role so effectively that audiences associate them with that image forever. But before that one iconic character defined these famous people, other people were considered or auditioned for the part. This made us imagine how certain onscreen personas would look like if other celebrities ended up bagging the role.

1. Anakin Skywalker — Leonardo DiCaprio

Before choosing newcomer Hayden Christensen for the role of Anakin Skywalker, many A-listers were considered, including DiCaprio. But the famous actor revealed in an interview that he didn’t feel ready for such a role.

2. Daenerys Targaryen — Elizabeth Olsen

The actress, who has become famous for her role of the Scarlet Witch, failed auditions for the role of Mother of Dragons at the beginning of her career. Elizabeth Olsen later described what happened: “It was the most awkward audition I’d ever had. I was doing the Khaleesi speech when she comes out of the fire. It was awful. I didn’t get a callback.” As a result, Daenerys was played by Emilia Clarke.

3. Thor — Tom Hiddleson

Tom Hiddleson originally auditioned for the role of Thor, instead of Loki. He even built his body, beefing up from 180 pounds to 198 pounds. But he couldn’t get the role. The moviemakers were looking for Loki as well. The closer he got, they said, “Actually, you should play the bad guy.” Hence, he ended up in the role of Loki.

4. Aragorn — Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe was asked once whether he regretted refusing to play Aragorn in the iconic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. The actor honestly replied that he had never thought about it and explained why he didn’t join the project. According to Crowe, Peter Jackson never really wanted to cast him for the role of Aragorn. Russell’s instinct told him that the director already had a suitable person in mind, so he politely declined the offer.

5. Peggy Carter — Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt was offered the lead female role in Captain America: The First Avenger, but she declined it as she was working on other projects. Eventually, the role went to Hayley Atwell who had portrayed the character of Peggy Carter in other Marvel movies as well.

6. Han Solo — Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell auditioned for the original Star Wars movie. He auditioned for the parts of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker back in the day. But there also was a western he could’ve taken part in, so he had to choose. And we all know the result.

7. Vivian Ward — Jennifer Connelly

Several actresses were considered for the role of Vivian in Pretty Woman, including Jennifer Connelly. But it was only Julia Roberts who made the cut in the end. Roberts is definitely the actress who makes the iconic movie what it is.

8. Hagrid — Robin Williams

The late comedian apparently expressed his interest to play the role of Hagrid in Harry Potter. “Robin [Williams] had called because he really wanted to be in the movie, but it was a British-only edict,” according to the movie’s casting director.

9. Lyanna Mormont — Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown tried to audition for commercials for some time. And then she tried out for Game of Thrones but got rejected. She even nearly quit acting after that, thinking acting was really difficult for her. Thankfully, she finally got the role of Eleven in Stranger Things, and her career immediately skyrocketed.

10. James Bond — Henry Cavill

Now it’s hard to imagine anyone but the brilliant Daniel Craig playing this role, but Henry Cavill had a chance to become the new Agent 007. The actor was turned down because he was “a little chubby.” Cavill accepted the criticism with dignity and began to do more physical training, which helped him in his future career.

11. Jennifer Check — Blake Lively

Blake Lively could have played the titular role of Jennifer Check in Jennifer’s Body, as she was offered the role before Megan Fox. But Blake had to refuse the role because she needed to focus on playing Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl.

12. Phil Dunphy — Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc who played Joey in Friends could have also played Phil Dunphy in another popular sitcom, Modern Family. Although Matt liked the script of Ty Burrell’s character when he read it, he felt that he wasn’t the right guy for the role.

13. Jane Smith — Gwen Stefani

Popular singer Gwen Stefani is a truly versatile person. She almost landed the lead role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Stefani went to quite a few auditions, but eventually, she made a choice in favor of a musical career. And Jane Smith was played by the amazing Angelina Jolie.

14. Andy Sachs — Rachel McAdams

When we hear The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly) and Anne Hathaway (Andy Sachs) are the actresses that immediately come to mind. But the role of the fashionable heroine could have been played by Rachel McAdams, as it was offered to her 3 times — and she rejected all of them.

15. Christian Grey — Charlie Hunnam

In 2013, all the newspapers announced the news of the year: Charlie Hunnam would star in the screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. But a few months later, the actor changed his mind and refused the role. As it turned out, Hunnam had a nervous breakdown due to his busy work schedule.

The actor realized that he wouldn’t be able to do his job properly, but this decision was very difficult for him. Hunnam hasn’t seen any of the films in the trilogy because he called that situation “the worst professional experience” of his life.

16. Tiffany Maxwell — Anne Hathaway

Jennifer Lawrence won an Academy for her role as Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook. The role was previously offered to Anne Hathaway, but she rejected it because there were some creative differences between her and the director David O. Russell.

17. Superman — Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan and Henry Cavill both auditioned for the role of Superman. But the casting directors chose Henry Cavill in the end, who went on to star in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League.

Do you think the actors from our article would have been more convincing in these roles? Share your opinion in the comments below.