Actors Who Auditioned For One Role But Got Another

Actors Who Auditioned For One Role But Got Another


October 10, 2025 | Jesse Singer

Actors Who Auditioned For One Role But Got Another


Casting Curveballs

Sometimes Hollywood auditions don’t go as planned. Actors walk in aiming for one character—only to walk out with a completely different role (that often changes their entire career). These unexpected casting curveballs gave us iconic performances, unforgettable villains, and fan-favorite heroes. Here are the best true stories of actors who auditioned for one part but ended up in another.

"The Office (John Krasinski)"

John Krasinski showed up to The Office auditions and was steered toward reading for Dwight Schrute. But Dwight’s beet-farming oddball energy didn’t fit him. Krasinski wanted to be Jim—the laid-back, camera-smirking underdog.

File:Jack Ryan USO Europe Tour (5874782).jpgU.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Kimball, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"The Office (John Krasinski)"

Producers agreed, and the rest is sitcom history. As Jim Halpert, Krasinski became half of TV’s favorite will-they-won’t-they couple and the master of deadpan stares. Imagining him as Dwight now feels impossible—and pretty hilarious.

Screenshot from The Office (2005–2013)NBC, The Office (2005–2013)

Advertisement

"Friends (Courteney Cox)"

The creators of Friends originally pictured Courteney Cox as Rachel Green. She could’ve been pouring lattes at Central Perk and pining after Ross, but Cox felt Rachel wasn’t her speed.

Screenshot from Friends (1994–2004)NBC, Friends (1994–2004)

Advertisement

"Friends (Courteney Cox)"

She asked to try Monica Geller instead, and nailed it. Monica’s neurotic, competitive energy fit her perfectly—and gave the show its heart. Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston stepped into Rachel’s shoes, and the casting switch gave us two perfect fits.

Screenshot from Friends (1994–2004)NBC, Friends (1994–2004)

Advertisement

"Stranger Things (Joe Keery)"

Joe Keery auditioned for Jonathan Byers, the brooding photographer. He had the charm, but not the moody energy producers wanted for Jonathan. Still, they couldn’t ignore him.

File:Joe Keery (36078914261).jpgGage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Stranger Things (Joe Keery)"

So they cast him as Steve Harrington, the slick-haired jock meant to be a throwaway boyfriend. Thanks to Keery’s goofy warmth, Steve became the unlikely hero of Hawkins—and the internet’s favorite babysitter.

Screenshot from Stranger Things (2016– )Netflix, Stranger Things (2016– )

Advertisement

"Mean Girls (Amanda Seyfried)"

Amanda Seyfried came in aiming for Regina George, the queen bee of North Shore High. She had the looks, but Rachel McAdams locked down the role. The team noticed something else about Seyfried.

Screenshot from Mean Girls (2004)Paramount Pictures, Mean Girls (2004)

Advertisement

"Mean Girls (Amanda Seyfried)"

They gave her Karen Smith instead—the hilariously clueless Plastic. Karen’s blank stares, weather-predicting chest, and unforgettable one-liners made her one of the most quoted characters in the movie.

Screenshot from Mean Girls (2004)Paramount Pictures, Mean Girls (2004)

Advertisement

"The O.C. (Adam Brody)"

Adam Brody auditioned for Ryan Atwood, the tough kid from Chino. But his quick wit and sarcastic edge didn’t fit the brooding bad-boy mold. What it did fit was...

Screenshot from The O.C. (2003–2007)Warner Bros. Television, The O.C. (2003–2007)

Advertisement

"The O.C. (Adam Brody)"

Instead, he became Seth Cohen, the comic-book nerd who stole the show. Seth made awkward humor cool, turned sarcasm into romance, and gave TV geeks everywhere their first heartthrob.

Screenshot from The O.C. (2003–2007)Warner Bros. Television, The O.C. (2003–2007)

Advertisement

"Batman Begins (Cillian Murphy)"

Cillian Murphy even donned the Batman suit for his screen test. Christopher Nolan was impressed, but Murphy didn’t quite radiate Bruce Wayne’s heroic presence. But there definitely was a presence...

File:Cillian Murphy-62782.jpgHarald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Batman Begins (Cillian Murphy)"

Nolan recast him as Scarecrow, the villain who weaponized fear. Murphy was so chilling in the role that Nolan found a way to bring him back in every film of the trilogy.

Screenshot from Batman Begins (2005)Warner Bros. Pictures, Batman Begins (2005)

Advertisement

"Lost (Jorge Garcia)"

Jorge Garcia first read sides written for Sawyer, the smooth con man. His easygoing charm didn’t scream “bad boy,” but it did spark something new for the producers.

File:Jorge Garcia (5980645247).jpgGage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Lost (Jorge Garcia)"

They created Hurley just for him. With his lovable humor, heart, and signature “Dude!” catchphrase, Hurley became the emotional anchor of Lost and a fan-favorite survivor.

Screenshot from Lost (2004–2010)ABC, Lost (2004–2010)

Advertisement

"The Dark Knight Rises (Anne Hathaway)"

Anne Hathaway thought she was auditioning for Harley Quinn when she met Christopher Nolan. She prepared for bubbly chaos, only to realize Nolan had other ideas.

File:Anne Hathaway-30.jpgHarald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"The Dark Knight Rises (Anne Hathaway)"

Instead, she landed Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Hathaway played her with wit, elegance, and agility, stealing almost every scene she was in and cementing herself as one of the best Catwomen ever.

 Screenshot from The Dark Knight Rises (2012)Warner Bros. Pictures, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Advertisement

"Twilight (Ashley Greene)"

Ashley Greene auditioned for Bella Swan, hoping to land the saga’s leading role. Kristen Stewart ultimately got the part, but Greene’s audition made an impression.

Screenshot from Twilight (2008)Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)

Advertisement

"Twilight (Ashley Greene)"

She was cast as Alice Cullen, Edward’s psychic, stylish sister. Alice became a fan-favorite, with her quirky charm and loyalty often stealing the spotlight from the central love story.

 Screenshot from Twilight (2008)Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)

Advertisement

"Thor (Tom Hiddleston)"

Tom Hiddleston went all-in auditioning for Thor, complete with muscle training and a hammer-wielding screen test. He looked the part, but something didn’t quite click. But what didn't click as Thor did click as...

File:Tom Hiddleston (28827414863).jpgvagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Thor (Tom Hiddleston)"

Instead, he landed Loki, Thor’s mischievous brother. Hiddleston’s sly grin and Shakespearean flair made Loki one of Marvel’s greatest villains—and eventually, a fan-favorite antihero with his own series.

Screenshot from Thor: Ragnarok (2017)Marvel Studios, Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Advertisement

"Guardians of the Galaxy / Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman)"

Before becoming a king, Chadwick Boseman auditioned for Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. He didn’t land the role, but casting directors took notice and didn't forget about the talented actor.

File:Chadwick Boseman by Gage Skidmore July 2017.jpgGage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"Guardians of the Galaxy / Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman)"

Marvel remembered him later when they needed someone regal, powerful, and grounded to bring T’Challa/Black Panther to life. It’s hard to imagine a better fit—Boseman became iconic in the role.

Screenshot from Black Panther (2018)Marvel Studios, Black Panther (2018)

Advertisement

"The Office (Rainn Wilson)"

Before embodying beet-loving Dwight Schrute, Rainn Wilson auditioned to be Michael Scott, the clueless but lovable office manager. His comedic take didn’t land him the boss’s chair.

File:Rainn Wilson (54594326003).jpgGage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

"The Office (Rainn Wilson)"

Instead, Wilson became Dwight, turning the assistant-to-the-regional-manager into one of TV’s most bizarre and beloved characters. It’s safe to say the show wouldn’t be the same with someone else wearing those mustard shirts and those power stares.

Screenshot from The Office (2005–2013)NBC, The Office (2005–2013)

Advertisement

You Might Also Like:

The Worst Casting Choices In TV History

Casting Choices That Seemed Crazy—But Worked Perfectly

Actors Who Almost Always Play The Same Role

Sources:  123


READ MORE

October 10, 2025 Peter Kinney

Underrated Movies That Should’ve Been TV Shows

When a film’s premise is rich, its mythology deep, or its characters demand more screen time, it’s screaming for serialization. Some of the most ambitious yet underrated flicks would’ve made stellar TV shows. Here are 20 of those films.
Prom
October 10, 2025 Allison Robertson

Songs That Have Ruled Prom Night For Generations

From slow-dance anthems that melt hearts to dancefloor bangers that make everyone scream the lyrics, these 30 classic prom songs have stood the test of time.
Snlthumb
October 10, 2025 Carl Wyndham

Fired From New York, It's All Of Saturday Night Live's One Season Wonders

Some of the Saturday Night Live's One-Season-Wonders went on to have great careers. Others, well, they can always tell people that they got Saturday Night Live!
October 10, 2025 Quinn Mercer

Perfect Made-For-TV Movies That Everyone Should Get To See In The Theater

Before streaming made everything bingeable, the humble TV movie ruled the small screen. From gripping Westerns and heartbreaking true stories to cult classics and contemporary masterpieces, these are 25 of the best made-for-TV movies of all time.
October 9, 2025 Jesse Singer

Sammy Davis Jr. Was The Most Talented Man In The Rat Pack—But Even They Never Fully Accepted Him

Few entertainers ever commanded a stage like Sammy Davis Jr.. He could sing, dance, act, and play nearly every instrument in the band—and still have energy left to make Frank Sinatra laugh. But behind the tuxedo charm was a man who never stopped trying to belong. Even inside the Rat Pack, the ultimate symbol of brotherhood, Sammy remained the outsider.
Richard Harris
October 9, 2025 Peter Kinney

Actors Who Knew A Performance Would Be Their Last, And You Can Tell

In the glimmering lights of Hollywood, some stars shine brightest when the end is near. This list looks back at the last performances of legendary actors who, even in the face of terminal illness, gave unforgettable final acts.