Who Could Have Been Bella Swan Or The Joker? Actors Who Lost Out On Major Roles
Losing out on a job is always tough, but imagine what it’s like if that job is a part in a major Hollywood movie? As all actors know the audition process is tough and sometimes things just don’t go your way. We’ve taken a look at some stars who came oh so close to starring in some of our favorite movies, but ultimate they ended up losing out on the part.
Jennifer Lawrence -Twilight (Bella Swan)
We might know her now as Katniss in the Hunger Games , but J-Law could very have found teen icon status a little earlier, as Bella Swan in the Twilight movies. Jennifer auditioned for the role when she was 17 but of course lost out to Kirsten Stewart, she later said that she was glad she didn't get the part because, she had “no idea Twilight would be such a big deal,” and would rather not have had the media scrutiny Kristen Stewart endured.
Kate Winslet -_Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones)_
As one of the most well respected actresses in Britain, it’s no surprise that Kate Winslet was considered for the role of Bridget Jones. Kate came very close to playing the lead role, but ultimately producers decided she was just too young to the part. Instead the role went to Renee Zellweger who is seven years older than Kate.
Natalie Portman -Romeo and Juliet ( Juliet Capulet)
Speaking of Natalie Portman, back in 1996 Natalie Portman had actually started production on Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet. Portman was 15 at the time, which is close to the character’s age in the actual Shakespearian text. Her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio was 22 at the time and after watching the initial footage Baz Luhrmann thought the age difference was just too much and actually said it looked as if DiCaprio was ‘’molesting her’’. Production on the film was halted until eventually 17 year old Clare Danes was brought in as Portman's replacement.
Chris Klein -Mamma Mia
Whilst most actors are able to keep their bad auditions under wraps, some like Chris Klein have had the misfortune of their audition tape ending up on the internet. Chris auditioned for a role in the musical Mamma Mia and gave a frankly horrid rendition of 'Lay all Your Love On Me' as well as using his time to randomly big up former co-star Mandy Moore. To his credit Klein has been able to laugh at the whole thing saying, ‘’it's a horrible audition. And I took a chance — I can't sing! I don't know why I was in there. But I took a chance! It's a musical — let's see if I can give it a shot. And, you know, the way that they put it out there, it gets taken out of context and all that kind of thing. It was really a dreadful audition.”
Next: who could have been Spider-Man or the Joker in the Dark Knight?
Freddie Prinze Jr. -Spider-Man (Peter Parker/SpiderMan)
Can you imagine Freddie Prinze Jnr swinging around New York City as Peter Parker? Well it could have happened. Freddie has said he was the original choice to play Spider-Man in Sami Raimi’s trilogy. Eventually though it would be Toby Maguire who would don the mask and tights for the three movies.
Adrien Brody -_The Dark Knight (_The Joker)
Undoubtedly Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in _The Dark Knigh_t is iconic, however the role could have been played by Oscar winner Adrien Brody. Brody told MTV that he met with Christopher Nolan to discuss the part but in the end it was Ledger who was cast. Still Brody would have loved to have had a go in the face paint, calling the part “an amazing role”.
Michael Fassbender -_Pearl Harbour (_Rafe McCawley)
He might be a big star now, but Michael Fassbender’s big break could have come a lot sooner. Before having any movie credits to his name, the actor managed to impress director Michael Bay, so much so he was nearly cast in Pearl Harbour. Fassbender nearly took the part of Rafe McCawley but eventually Bay decided on the more established name of Ben Affleck.
Carey Milligan -Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Lisbeth Salander)
Before Rooney Mara landed the role of Lisbeth Salander in the US remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo many names were rumored for the lead. One of which was British actress Carey Mulligan, who’s name was a strong contender in April 2010. Mulligan eventually lost out to Mara, but not before many other names did the rumour mill such as Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman.
More: Find out which actors actually TURNED DOWN major movie roles: