Both 12-year-old me and 21-year-old me are still obsessed with Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. It’s honestly hard to imagine anyone else in the role—but surprisingly, so many actresses auditioned…which got me thinking not just about the Hunger Games, but about movies in general. Which actors almost played our favorite characters?
I did some digging and found some seriously unexpected runner-ups. Here are the actors and actresses you won’t believe almost landed your favorite roles!
Hailee SteinFeld as Katniss Everdeen in the hunger games
For the longest time, I thought this was just a rumor, but it turns out Hailee Steinfeld really did audition for the role of Katniss and was seriously considered. She made it far in the casting process and even met with director Gary Ross to discuss the part. In the end, though, producers chose Jennifer Lawrence, believing Hailee was too young at just 14 years old when she auditioned.
Robin Williams as Hagrid in harry potter
As someone who’s only seen one Harry Potter movie, I’m still very much familiar with the gentle giant—the massive beard, the burly laugh—brought to life by Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid. Hagrid is such a lovable, warm-hearted character that you’d think Robin Williams would’ve been a perfect fit. And trust me, I LOVE Robin Williams—but for some reason, I just can’t picture him in the part. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t British?
Matthew Mcconaughey as jack dawson in titantic
Now, this one I cannot picture even in the slightest, which is ironic, considering he was reportedly one of the top choices for the role before auditions even began. Leonardo DiCaprio captures Jack’s endearing charm so effortlessly that it’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping into his shoes. I just can’t see a more rugged, hard-edged Matthew McConaughey taking on the role.
John travolta as forrest gump
Danny Zuko as Forrest Gump? I think not. I’m no John Travolta hater, but most of his characters lean toward serious, alpha-male, so envisioning him as the gentle, kind-hearted Forrest Gump is nearly impossible. He was actually offered the part but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts with Pulp Fiction. Thank God because Tom Hanks absolutely nailed it.
Jim carrey as captain jack sparrow in pirates of the caribbean
I abolish wherever this idea even came from because…what? Jim Carrey as Captain Jack Sparrow? Just no. He was offered the role but, similar to John Travolta, had scheduling conflicts—this time with Bruce Almighty. And let’s be honest, no one could have embodied Captain Jack Sparrow quite like the legend himself, Johnny Depp.
Lindsay lohan as Regina george in mean girls
Maybe this is common knowledge, but I was dumbfounded when I learned that Lindsay Lohan originally auditioned for Regina George, while Rachel McAdams originally auditioned for Cady Heron in Mean Girls. However, producers and director Mark Waters felt that audiences wouldn’t buy Lindsay as the manipulative mean girl, since she was so known for the sweet, girl-next-door roles. At the same time, Rachel was deemed too old at 25 to play the innocent new girl, so the parts were switched, and the rest is history.
Michelle pfeiffer as miranda priestly in the devil wears prada
I see the vision here. To cast Miranda Priestly, producers needed someone undeniably iconic, which explains why Michelle Pfeiffer and Meryl Streep were at the top of their lists. Ultimately, Meryl Streep delivered—per usual.
Angelina Jolie As cher Horowitz in clueless
I fear Angelina Jolie gives black cat energy, which is totally fine, but for Clueless, producers needed someone radiating golden retriever energy, so they chose Alicia Silverstone. Although Angelina was considered, the casting director, Carrie Frazier, felt she was “too knowing” to convincingly play the innocent, bubbly Cher.
Adam sandler as the grinch in how the grinch stole christmas
Maybe Jim Carrey wouldn’t have made the best Captain Jack Sparrow, but he absolutely bodied his role as the Grinch. Adam Sandler was also strongly considered, but producers ultimately chose Carrey because of his improvisational, over-the-top comedic style. Safe to say, that was the right call. I’m picturing a green Adam Sandler and…it just doesn’t work. He would’ve nailed the voice, though.
Molly ringwald as sally Albright in when harry met sally
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal defined the rom-com genre in When Harry Met Sally, which makes it all the more surprising that director Rob Reiner’s (RIP) original top choice for Sally Albright was Molly Ringwald. However, after witnessing Meg Ryan’s immediate chemistry with Billy Crystal, Reiner changed his mind and cast her instead.