Top 10 Actors Who Were Almost Cast in the Harry Potter Franchise
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Top 10 Actors Who Were Almost Cast in the Harry Potter Franchise
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the performers who came THIS close to getting their Hogwarts letter.
The standup comedian and star of “Jungle Cruise” was one of the many British child actors who auditioned for the original film. Whitehall recalls the casting call with good humor. He explained that he hadn’t done his homework, having not finished the book, and is certain that fronting the multi-million dollar franchise was never in his future. The makers of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” also saw American child actor Liam Aiken before deciding to go with an all-British cast. Future “Chronicles of Narnia” star William Moseley and eventual Gellert Grindelwald actor Jamie Campbell Bower were considered for Harry before Daniel Radcliffe signed on.
For the ethereal, eccentric Hogwarts student introduced in the fifth film, the producers went with first-time actress, Evanna Lynch. Her very personal connection to the books won her the role. However, there’s a world in which Saoirse Ronan could have played Luna Lovegood. In 2007, when “Order of the Phoenix” was released, she was about to become one of the youngest Oscar nominees ever for her performance in “Atonement.” Ronan’s youth was precisely the problem. She was simply too young to play the fifth-year Ravenclaw student. Still, it’s exciting to think what Ronan could have added to the series.
The “Titanic” star seems like an obvious choice to join the Wizarding World. Like many of the movie’s esteemed cast, she was a multi-Oscar nominee and was one of the British Isles’ most respected performers. She had also previously acted alongside several future Harry Potter cast members, including Severus Snape actor Alan Rickman, in “Sense and Sensibility.” The underrated Kelly Macdonald is memorable in a small appearance as Helena Ravenclaw, a ghost who helps Harry in the lead-up to the last movie’s climactic battle. Winslet’s agent turned down the job on her behalf. For a while, it seemed like the British actors who had appeared in a “Harry Potter” movie outnumbered the ones who hadn’t. Apparently, that was Winslet’s agent’s issue.
Before he headlined the “Fantastic Beasts” series as Newt Scamander, the Oscar and Tony Award-winning actor was in the running for a very different part. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” introduces us to former Hogwarts student Tom Riddle, who we come to find out is actually the young Lord Voldemort. He’s a slippery and villainous character who would eventually be played by actor Christian Coulson. Redmayne auditioned for the part while he was still a university student. He later told Empire magazine that his audition was not a success. Redmayne admits he wasn’t even called back for a second round. It’s safe to say it all worked out in the end.
Casting the young Voldemort was an arduous process for the filmmakers. According to actor James McAvoy, he was one of ten other actors who were put on retainer while producers decided which one would fit the bill. Despite the sizable stipend, McAvoy and the other actors would be barred from doing any other work for seven months. Rather than sit on his thumbs for almost a year, he and his agent decided to pass on the opportunity and chase other parts. It would only take a couple of years for McAvoy to become a film star in his own right.
The third film, “Prisoner of Azkaban,” introduced the beloved Divination teacher, Sybill Trelawney. The quivering, wide-eyed professor was originally offered to Tilda Swinton. Given the character’s over-the-top weirdness, Swinton seems like an obvious choice to play her. After all, Swinton had done plenty of fantasy movies both before and after. But Swinton had a very pointed reason for refusing. She believed that the series romanticizes boarding schools, an institution she despises. While there’s no doubt she would have brought something great to Trelawney, we have to respect her sticking to her guns. Besides, Emma Thompson makes a meal of her few minutes of screentime across three different installments.
There’s a lot of room for comedy in the second movie’s narcissistic, self-aggrandizing defense against the dark arts professor. While Kenneth Branagh does a fantastic job tapping into Gilderoy Lockhart’s smug phoniness, he wasn’t the only actor in the running. If he’d taken the job, Hugh Grant would have been playing a clever inversion of his dashing screen persona. Given the kinds of roles he’s taken lately, it’s clear he would’ve left no crumbs as the movie’s secondary villain. Also in the running was Scottish actor and Emmy winner Alan Cumming. The eventual host of “The Traitors” got as far as an offer, but a salary dispute had him telling the producers exactly where they could go.
He may have been a one-off character, but the ill-fated sixth-year student is a major player in the events surrounding the Triwizard Tournament. Cedric Diggory was actually Robert Pattinson’s first major film appearance, and it turned out to be a breakthrough for the actor. But things could’ve gone very differently. In what might have been a potential battle of the franchises, Henry Cavill auditioned for the gig that would eventually be played by the future “Twilight” star. Cavill had had some minor supporting parts up to that point, but he was yet to experience superstardom, which would come once he donned Superman’s red cape in 2013’s “Man of Steel.”
Because “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings” premiered in the same year, it’s only natural that some actors might have been approached to do both. Saruman actor and British horror legend Christopher Lee was seriously considered for Albus Dumbledore before Richard Harris took the part. However, Harris’ death in 2002 necessitated another search. Peter O’Toole declined out of respect for his late friend. A recent Oscar nominee for playing Gandalf the Grey, Sir Ian McKellen said he was in contention for the role. He felt it would be inappropriate to carry on Harris’ work, as Harris was publicly critical of McKellen’s talent. In fact, Harris once called McKellen’s acting “brilliant, but passionless.” Michael Gambon eventually took over.
As a massive fan of the books, the beloved comedy star was set on being in the movie adaptation. Robin Williams hoped to play Rubeus Hagrid, the gruff but lovable Hogwarts groundskeeper. However, author J. K. Rowling insisted that the cast only feature British actors. Williams once more tried to get in on the action when “Prisoner of Azkaban” went into production, trying for the less overtly funny Remus Lupin. Again, he was denied. As magical as it would have been to see Robin Williams in either part, it’s hard to argue with results. Robbie Coltrane and David Thewlis’ performances are a big reason why both characters are so beloved by fans.
Which of these actors would you love to see walking the hallowed halls of Hogwarts? Tell us in the comments.
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the performers who came THIS close to getting their Hogwarts letter.
#10: Jack Whitehall
Harry PotterThe standup comedian and star of “Jungle Cruise” was one of the many British child actors who auditioned for the original film. Whitehall recalls the casting call with good humor. He explained that he hadn’t done his homework, having not finished the book, and is certain that fronting the multi-million dollar franchise was never in his future. The makers of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” also saw American child actor Liam Aiken before deciding to go with an all-British cast. Future “Chronicles of Narnia” star William Moseley and eventual Gellert Grindelwald actor Jamie Campbell Bower were considered for Harry before Daniel Radcliffe signed on.
#9: Saoirse Ronan
Luna LovegoodFor the ethereal, eccentric Hogwarts student introduced in the fifth film, the producers went with first-time actress, Evanna Lynch. Her very personal connection to the books won her the role. However, there’s a world in which Saoirse Ronan could have played Luna Lovegood. In 2007, when “Order of the Phoenix” was released, she was about to become one of the youngest Oscar nominees ever for her performance in “Atonement.” Ronan’s youth was precisely the problem. She was simply too young to play the fifth-year Ravenclaw student. Still, it’s exciting to think what Ronan could have added to the series.
#8: Kate Winslet
Helena RavenclawThe “Titanic” star seems like an obvious choice to join the Wizarding World. Like many of the movie’s esteemed cast, she was a multi-Oscar nominee and was one of the British Isles’ most respected performers. She had also previously acted alongside several future Harry Potter cast members, including Severus Snape actor Alan Rickman, in “Sense and Sensibility.” The underrated Kelly Macdonald is memorable in a small appearance as Helena Ravenclaw, a ghost who helps Harry in the lead-up to the last movie’s climactic battle. Winslet’s agent turned down the job on her behalf. For a while, it seemed like the British actors who had appeared in a “Harry Potter” movie outnumbered the ones who hadn’t. Apparently, that was Winslet’s agent’s issue.
#7: Eddie Redmayne
Tom RiddleBefore he headlined the “Fantastic Beasts” series as Newt Scamander, the Oscar and Tony Award-winning actor was in the running for a very different part. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” introduces us to former Hogwarts student Tom Riddle, who we come to find out is actually the young Lord Voldemort. He’s a slippery and villainous character who would eventually be played by actor Christian Coulson. Redmayne auditioned for the part while he was still a university student. He later told Empire magazine that his audition was not a success. Redmayne admits he wasn’t even called back for a second round. It’s safe to say it all worked out in the end.
#6: James McAvoy
Tom RiddleCasting the young Voldemort was an arduous process for the filmmakers. According to actor James McAvoy, he was one of ten other actors who were put on retainer while producers decided which one would fit the bill. Despite the sizable stipend, McAvoy and the other actors would be barred from doing any other work for seven months. Rather than sit on his thumbs for almost a year, he and his agent decided to pass on the opportunity and chase other parts. It would only take a couple of years for McAvoy to become a film star in his own right.
#5: Tilda Swinton
Professor TrelawneyThe third film, “Prisoner of Azkaban,” introduced the beloved Divination teacher, Sybill Trelawney. The quivering, wide-eyed professor was originally offered to Tilda Swinton. Given the character’s over-the-top weirdness, Swinton seems like an obvious choice to play her. After all, Swinton had done plenty of fantasy movies both before and after. But Swinton had a very pointed reason for refusing. She believed that the series romanticizes boarding schools, an institution she despises. While there’s no doubt she would have brought something great to Trelawney, we have to respect her sticking to her guns. Besides, Emma Thompson makes a meal of her few minutes of screentime across three different installments.
#4: Hugh Grant
Gilderoy LockhartThere’s a lot of room for comedy in the second movie’s narcissistic, self-aggrandizing defense against the dark arts professor. While Kenneth Branagh does a fantastic job tapping into Gilderoy Lockhart’s smug phoniness, he wasn’t the only actor in the running. If he’d taken the job, Hugh Grant would have been playing a clever inversion of his dashing screen persona. Given the kinds of roles he’s taken lately, it’s clear he would’ve left no crumbs as the movie’s secondary villain. Also in the running was Scottish actor and Emmy winner Alan Cumming. The eventual host of “The Traitors” got as far as an offer, but a salary dispute had him telling the producers exactly where they could go.
#3: Henry Cavill
Cedric DiggoryHe may have been a one-off character, but the ill-fated sixth-year student is a major player in the events surrounding the Triwizard Tournament. Cedric Diggory was actually Robert Pattinson’s first major film appearance, and it turned out to be a breakthrough for the actor. But things could’ve gone very differently. In what might have been a potential battle of the franchises, Henry Cavill auditioned for the gig that would eventually be played by the future “Twilight” star. Cavill had had some minor supporting parts up to that point, but he was yet to experience superstardom, which would come once he donned Superman’s red cape in 2013’s “Man of Steel.”
#2: Sir Ian McKellen
Albus DumbledoreBecause “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings” premiered in the same year, it’s only natural that some actors might have been approached to do both. Saruman actor and British horror legend Christopher Lee was seriously considered for Albus Dumbledore before Richard Harris took the part. However, Harris’ death in 2002 necessitated another search. Peter O’Toole declined out of respect for his late friend. A recent Oscar nominee for playing Gandalf the Grey, Sir Ian McKellen said he was in contention for the role. He felt it would be inappropriate to carry on Harris’ work, as Harris was publicly critical of McKellen’s talent. In fact, Harris once called McKellen’s acting “brilliant, but passionless.” Michael Gambon eventually took over.
#1: Robin Williams
Rubeus Hagrid & Remus LupinAs a massive fan of the books, the beloved comedy star was set on being in the movie adaptation. Robin Williams hoped to play Rubeus Hagrid, the gruff but lovable Hogwarts groundskeeper. However, author J. K. Rowling insisted that the cast only feature British actors. Williams once more tried to get in on the action when “Prisoner of Azkaban” went into production, trying for the less overtly funny Remus Lupin. Again, he was denied. As magical as it would have been to see Robin Williams in either part, it’s hard to argue with results. Robbie Coltrane and David Thewlis’ performances are a big reason why both characters are so beloved by fans.
Which of these actors would you love to see walking the hallowed halls of Hogwarts? Tell us in the comments.
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