Casting is Hollywood’s largest “what if.” A character can be made iconic by the right actor, but behind the camera, there are many times when roles almost went in completely different directions. Sometimes it is scheduling problems, sometimes creative differences, and sometimes it is just flat-out fate that determines who gets into the spotlight. Reflecting on these misses, it’s crazy to think about how our beloved shows and films could have been altered. Here are 15 of the most shocking “nearly-castings” in film and television, listed in reverse order for maximum build-up.
15. Oliver Hudson as Jack Pearson (This Is Us)
Before Milo Ventimiglia warmed hearts as Jack Pearson, Oliver Hudson came close to getting the job. The twist: He missed a crucial chemistry read with Mandy Moore because he had a fishing trip scheduled. Hudson has joked about it ever since, but it’s one of those offbeat Hollywood anecdotes that illustrates how timing is everything. Ventimiglia became everyone’s favorite TV father, and Hudson landed a legendary “what could have been” tale.
14. Selma Blair as Joey Potter (Dawson’s Creek)
Selma Blair was in serious contention for Joey Potter, the role that ultimately launched Katie Holmes’ career. But Holmes’ last-minute audition tape captured exactly what the showrunners wanted. Blair later shared an old photo of herself with Holmes and Sarah Michelle Gellar, proving there was no bad blood—just a sliding-doors moment in teen drama history. Imagine how different Dawson’s Creek would have been with Blair’s edge instead of Holmes’ girl-next-door charm.
13. Debra Winger as Dottie Hinson (A League of Their Own)
Debra Winger really trained for months with the Chicago Cubs in anticipation of playing Dottie in the starring role. But when Madonna was cast, Winger quit, claiming that the film had changed direction into what she described as “an Elvis movie.” Geena Davis took over and made Dottie unforgettable, but it’s intriguing to speculate how Winger’s interpretation of the character would have turned out. The film that resulted, naturally, is a sports classic.
12. Hugh Jackman as James Bond (Casino Royale)
When X-Men made Hugh Jackman a star, the producers of Bond came knocking on his door. Jackman declined, stating he feared the franchise would become too campy unless they darkened it. Enter Daniel Craig, who brought Bond in just that darker direction. Jackman held on to his adamantium claws, Craig took 007 and made him his own, and fans received two action icons for the price of one.
11. Charlize Theron as Roxie Heart (Chicago)
Charlize Theron was initially cast as Roxie Heart, but when the film changed directors, she lost the part. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger ended up starring, and it won Best Picture at the Oscars. Theron has confessed she still dreams about being a part of it, demonstrating that even A-listers get left out on occasion.
10. Matt LeBlanc as Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)
When casting Modern Family, the producers had originally offered Phil Dunphy to Matt LeBlanc. He declined, citing that he wasn’t suitable for the role and didn’t want to do it an injustice. Ty Burrell went on to pull it off, making Phil one of television’s favorite sitcom fathers. LeBlanc’s self-awareness may have deprived him of another massive success, but it was indicative of a lot of humility.
9. Tiffani Thiessen as Rachel Green (Friends)
Tiffani Thiessen, who rose to fame on Saved by the Bell, tested for Rachel Green. Producers ultimately decided she was a tad too young in relation to the rest of the cast, and Jennifer Aniston made sitcom history instead. Thiessen’s career took a different turn, but it’s enjoyable to dream about the way Rachel’s persona could have shifted if she’d been at Central Perk.
8. Henry Cavill as Edward Cullen (Twilight)
Henry Cavill was the original choice to play Edward Cullen before the part was given to Robert Pattinson. In fact, author Stephenie Meyer referred to him as her “perfect Edward.” By the time the casting call happened, Cavill had grown out of the role, and Pattinson was awarded the role that would make him an international star. Cavill became Superman, but that was just perfect.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt in Brokeback Mountain
It had been considered by director Gus Van Sant to cast a more “famous” pair for Brokeback Mountain, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Ryan Phillippe, but they were all rejected. This opened the door for Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. What emerged was a trailblazer that surely wouldn’t have been the same with higher-profile names dominating the narrative.
6. Emma Watson as Mia Dolan (La La Land)
Emma Watson was initially set to play Mia in La La Land, but her Beauty and the Beast wasn’t possible. Emma Stone stepped in and won an Oscar for it. Watson has explained it as a purely logistical decision, but the what-if moment here is enormous—two Emmas quite unlike each other, two quite distinct vibes.
5. Miles Teller as Sebastian Wilder (La La Land)
The second half of La La Land’s dynamic duo nearly came with Miles Teller, who had previously collaborated with director Damien Chazelle on Whiplash. Chazelle ultimately determined, however, that Teller wasn’t the proper fit. Ryan Gosling replaced him, and the chemistry with Emma Stone became legendary. Teller handled the news graciously, showing that sometimes even close calls don’t determine a career.
4. Molly Ringwald as Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)
Early on, when the screenplay was still titled $3,000, Molly Ringwald was offered Vivian. She turned it down, thinking the initial draft wasn’t for her. Julia Roberts later landed the role, and it became one of the classic ’90s rom-coms. Ringwald later confessed Roberts was the ideal fit—sometimes that perfect role really does fall to the right actor.
3. Anne Hathaway as Tiffany Maxwell (Silver Linings Playbook)
Anne Hathaway was a top choice for Silver Linings Playbook, but she had a falling out with director David O. Russell and bowed out. Jennifer Lawrence took her place and went on to win an Oscar. Hathaway’s career did little worse for it, but it’s one of those “lost” roles that fans can’t help but speculate about.
2. Al Pacino as Han Solo (Star Wars)
Believe it or not, Al Pacino was once offered the part of Han Solo but declined because he didn’t get the script. Harrison Ford ended up playing the role and made one of the film’s favorite characters. Pacino has made light of it since then, claiming he would have “starved” trying to decipher it. Ultimately, Ford and the Millennium Falcon were a match made in a galaxy far, far away.
1. Johnny Depp as Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
Johnny Depp was initially offered the role of Ferris Bueller before Matthew Broderick turned it into an ’80s icon. He had to turn it down because of a scheduling conflict, which meant Broderick got to twist and shout his way into cinema history. Depp went on to forge his own legendary career, but it’s difficult to imagine anyone else taking Ferris’ day off with quite the same charisma.
Hollywood history is replete with “what ifs,” and these near-castings serve to show just how close things might have turned out otherwise. Ultimately, the actors who were cast made the roles iconic—but it’s enjoyable to consider the alternate takes that almost existed.