10 Actors Who Were Almost in Harry Potter

The Harry Potter franchise is deep in all our hearts. We couldn’t possibly imagine a change up of some of the most iconic roles in cinematic history. However, these famous parts were almost given to other actors. Here are some actors who were almost cast in Harry Potter.

1. Bellatrix Lestrange was a competitive role. Now that Helena Bonham Carter plays her, it’s hard to imagine anyone else. However, Helen McCrory was signed on for the role until she got pregnant. She pulled out of the role and ended up playing Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix’s sister in the later movies.

2. Tilda Swinton was almost cast as Sybill Trelawney. She was offered the role before Emma Thompson but had too many scheduling conflicts to join the cast. There is a rumor she didn’t join because she’s against boarding school, but that is almost definitely not the case. Thankfully, Emma was able to execute the role brilliantly.

3. Hugh Grant almost played Gilderoy Lockhart. He had scheduling conflicts, so he couldn’t commit to the movie. However, he would’ve been a great bumbling, ditzy professor. Lockhart was rumored to be modeled after Rowling’s ex-husband, which explains his poor character.

4. Eddie Redmayne, the actor who ends up playing Newt Scamander in the new Harry Potter films, auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle was young Voldemort, which is a drastically different character than the awkward role Redmayne eventually gets.

5. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint almost had their roles snatched up. Tom Felton, who ends up playing Draco Malfoy, auditioned to be both Harry and Ron. He ended up with his third choice, Malfoy, which still proved to be an iconic role.

6. Jamie Campbell Bower, who ends up playing young Grindelwald, auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle. After he didn’t get the role, he got to play Caius in Twilight. Then, the famous Grindelwald. Sometimes, you just have to bide your time and wait to play another evil wizard.

7. Sirius Black was almost played by Robson Green. He was recommended by Chris Columbus, the director of the first movie. Alfonso Cuaron decide to cast Gary Oldman instead. Chris Columbus loved Green, but sadly was no longer calling the shots.

8. J.K. Rowling always wanted Alan Rickman to play the role of Snape. However, the producers had a different idea. They offered the role to Tim Roth, but Rowling insisted they offer it to Alan Rickman instead. She must’ve had a clear picture in her mind of who should play Severus.

9. Ian McKellan almost played the role of Dumbledore after Richard John Harris died. He turned it down because he didn’t want to play the two iconic roles of Dumbledore and Gandalf. Further, there is a rumor Harris called McKellan a bad actor before he died. So, maybe he didn’t want to carry on his role for this reason.

10. Robin Williams almost got to play the role of Rubeus Hagrid. He wasn’t offered the role because he was American (only actors from the UK were permitted in the movies). Williams wanted to play the role so badly, he said he’d do it for free. Yet, his accent and place of birth released him from contention.

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