40 Actors Who Didn’t Get The Part They Wanted But Stole The Show In A Totally Different Role

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like if Jennifer Aniston hadn’t played Rachel or Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn’t cast as Buffy? It seems like sacrilege to contemplate such notions, but in actual fact some of the most beloved movies and TV shows ever made could have been completely different had the auditions gone differently. And yes, we are talking iconic roles in legendary sitcoms and movies! These 40 will make your mind boggle just thinking what might have been.

40. Fat chance of being Faramir for Orlando Bloom

The Lord of the Rings movies enjoyed stunning success when they were released in the early noughties. Though the Peter Jackson-directed epics that were based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel could have turned out very differently – particularly for the career of Orlando Bloom. The English actor originally tried to land the role of Faramir, but he lost out to Aussie David Wenham. Instead, Bloom was cast as the crossbow-shooting elf Legolas, and he went on to become a big Hollywood star.

39. Bailey barred from being Bassett on Bridgerton

The American made but London-based period drama Bridgerton has become hugely popular in the United States. According to Deadline, up to 82 million households watched the first season on Netflix! Interestingly, though, the series’ Anthony Bridgerton – actor Jonathan Bailey – almost landed another role. The star auditioned for Daphne’s boyfriend Simon Basset, he told OprahMag.com. But producers realized Bailey was perfect for Anthony, and after reading scripts for that the change was made.

38. Sandra Oh almost played a different Grey’s Anatomy character

Are there two more iconic stars on Grey’s Anatomy than doctors Miranda Bailey and Cristina Yang? Yes, the two characters – portrayed by Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh respectively – have been central to the show’s success. But Oh dropped a bombshell at PaleyFest L.A. 2006 and revealed that she initially tested out for the role of Miranda. She remarked, “Thank God I didn’t get that part! Can you imagine not having [Wilson]? Forget it!”

37. Tom Hiddleston thought he could be the main superhero

English actor Tom Hiddleston is known the world over for his portrayal of the villain Loki in the Marvel Comics Universe. But he actually originally tested for the superhero Thor! Alas, it was not to be – despite him fulfilling the criteria of being over six feet tall and having long blonde hair at that time. You can watch his somewhat cringey audition tape on YouTube, as it aired when he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2019. Though it did land him the Loki gig, to be fair.