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.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Kimball, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
Netflix, Stranger Things (2016– )
"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.
Paramount Pictures, Mean Girls (2004)
"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.
Paramount Pictures, Mean Girls (2004)
"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...
Warner Bros. Television, The O.C. (2003–2007)
"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.
Warner Bros. Television, The O.C. (2003–2007)
"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...
Harald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Batman Begins (2005)
"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.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
"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.
Harald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
Warner Bros. Pictures, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
"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.
Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)
"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.
Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)
"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...
vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
Marvel Studios, Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
"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.
Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
Marvel Studios, Black Panther (2018)
"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.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
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