These Iconic Movie and TV Roles Almost Went to Someone Else

Brad Pitt was originally cast in the movie, but turned it down last minute for Spy Game. Pretty sure Matt Damon owes him drinks for life.

Her audition scene, you ask? The iconic chemistry class where Edward is overcome by Bella’s scent. As Ashley put it, “I auditioned with this chemistry scene and clearly had no chemistry.” I mean, she did get the part of Alice, so really it’s a win-win.

The part of Glinda in Wicked ultimately went to Ariana Grande, but the audition process was grueling for Amanda. “I have dreams that I’m still auditioning for Wicked,” she recently told Variety, adding, “I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life.”

The reason Emilia turned it down? She was over getting naked on camera and being “pigeonholed for life” thanks to Game of Thrones.

Yup, Eduardo (who plays Argyle in Stranger Things) initially read for the part of Eddie, which went to Joseph Quinn. But Eduardo was fine with it, telling Insider, “They made a beautiful decision. I back it a hundred percent.”

Emily Blunt was the original choice for Black Widow, but she had scheduling conflicts and had to pass on the role—which she said was a “bit of a heartbreaker for me.”

Director David Leitch wanted Gaga for the role, but she was over in Italy channeling her inner Patrizia Reggiani.

Charlie was straight-up cast as Christian, but had to bow out because of a previous commitment. He told Variety that leaving the movie was “the worst professional experience of my life.”

Immediate no to this idea, which apparently came from the brain of Steven Spielberg.

Please bask in the shade of this quote:

“My 18-year-old cannot believe that I would turn down Game Of Thrones or Downton—things she loves to watch. But if I am going to be spending that amount of time working on something I would rather be working with a director like Martin Scorsese.”

Anne Hathaway actually turned down this role because she wasn’t a mom herself (not yet, anyway), telling Allure, “My issue with it was that having not experienced motherhood myself, I didn’t know how I was gonna feel on the other side about giving birth. And by the way, I could pop a kid out and think, Oh, well, I really should have done that movie.” Fair enough.

Harry Styles auditioned but ultimately lost the role because he’s, well, Harry Styles. As Baz Luhrmann put it, “Harry is a really talented actor, I would work on something with him… but the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles. He’s already an icon.”

Henry himself revealed that it came down to him and Daniel Craig. Why’d they go with Daniel? Ultimately, Henry was too young. To which I say: he is now older.

Keke Palmer tested for the role of Iris, but apparently she was too young to play against Grant Gustin (who plays The Flash, obvs!).

Someone cast him as Older Sam in a remake immediately.

Rihanna auditioned for the role, and director George Miller’s story about it is incredible:

“Usually, actors turn up dressed very casually, but boy, Rihanna looked spectacular when she walked in. I’m not sure she was even aware of the content of the movie, so she dressed up as Rihanna, which was the right thing to do.”

Will Smith obviously wanted Willow to do the role, but she told him: “Daddy, I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.”

Taraji is a legend, but even she knew Kerry Washington was perect for the role. As she put it, “When I went in to read for Shonda Rhimes, in my mind I was like, ‘This is Kerry Washington. Why am I even in here?’…It was hers.”

According to Ben Stiller, Jake Gyllenhaal did a “wide-eyed version of Hansel that was really funny.” Kay, but where is Taylor Swift’s scarf?

Yep, both Liam Hemsworth and Chris Hemsworth auditioned, and Chris got the part. Awkward times in the Hemsworth household.

Laurence Fishburne told Vulture that he ultimately turned down the part of Jules due to Pulp Fiction‘s “cavalier” and “loose” depiction of heroin use.

Hugh Grant turned down a part in Harry Potter for Two Weeks Notice. Which, to be fair, is also a magical film.

He turned it down for—wait for it—Wild Wild West. Choices were made that day.