Yup, the Wizarding World may’ve appeared very totally different. When Hollywood caught Pottermania, everybody needed a seat on the Hogwarts Specific, together with some enormous stars who both handed, fizzled in auditions, or acquired magically recast.
From wizards who had been practically another person to villains who simply missed their darkish mark, listed below are 10 actors who had been this near donning robes, casting spells, or sipping Butterbeer on set. Prepare for a wild recreation of “what if” that may simply make you rewatch the films with new faces in thoughts, not less than in your creativeness. Accio alternate timeline!
Tilda Swinton as Professor Trelawney
Earlier than Emma Thompson floated into Hogwarts because the delightfully oddball Trelawney, the crystal ball virtually landed in Tilda Swinton’s lap. Identified for her ethereal display presence, Swinton would’ve made the Divination professor further cosmic. However she turned it down, citing scheduling conflicts at first, solely to later admit she wasn’t into the entire Hogwarts vibe. Apparently, boarding faculty glamor wasn’t her factor. Who knew that the girl who performed the White Witch in Narnia thought Harry Potter was too posh? Trelawney noticed this coming. Most likely in her tea leaves.
Robin Williams as Hagrid
Are you able to think about Hagrid shouting, “You’re a wizard, Harry!” in Robin Williams’ lovable, rapid-fire voice? The comedy legend lobbied laborious to play everybody’s favourite half-giant, however J.Ok. Rowling put her foot down: solely British actors allowed! That very same rule additionally dashed the Hogwarts goals of Rosie O’Donnell and Drew Barrymore. Whereas we didn’t get Williams’ whimsical tackle the Keeper of Keys, Robbie Coltrane gave us a wonderfully gruff and warm-hearted Hagrid. Nonetheless, it’s enjoyable to think about the Hut crammed with Genie-level power and a suspiciously American accent.
Rowan Atkinson as Voldemort
Sure, this isn’t a prank pulled by Fred and George, Mr. Bean himself was as soon as thought of to play the Darkish Lord. Think about the nose-less terror of Voldemort… with Rowan Atkinson’s comedic genius lurking beneath that snake-like face. Finally, the position (fortunately) went to Ralph Fiennes, who turned He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named right into a terrifying, slithering pressure of evil. However picturing Atkinson delivering “Avada Kedavra” with a raised eyebrow and a comedic pause is the crossover nobody requested for however everybody secretly needs. Mischief… positively managed.
Henry Cavill as Cedric Diggory
Earlier than Superman soared into theaters, Henry Cavill virtually strutted onto the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch as Cedric Diggory. Followers had been all in on the marketing campaign, however the producers gave the golden boy position to Robert Pattinson as a substitute. And boy, did it work out, for Pattinson, not less than. Quick ahead just a few years, and Cavill once more misplaced out to Pattinson in Twilight. Cavill’s wizarding and vampire goals had been dashed, however he acquired the final snicker, with a cape and a jawline sturdy sufficient to crush a Horcrux.
Rosamund Pike as Rita Skeeter
Years earlier than she made you sleep with one eye open in Gone Lady, Rosamund Pike was provided the position of the quick-quilled, scandal-sniffing reporter Rita Skeeter. However Pike didn’t need to enroll in two movies simply to buzz across the Day by day Prophet gossip columns for 5 minutes of display time. Truthfully? Honest. Whereas we missed out on what may’ve been a deliciously icy Skeeter efficiency, Pike went on to jot down her personal headlines. Nonetheless, you may’t assist however image her animorphing right into a beetle prefer it’s no massive deal.
Sean Connery as Dumbledore
Image this: “You shall not go, oh wait, unsuitable franchise, however similar gravitas.” Sean Connery was provided the position of Dumbledore earlier than Richard Harris donned the wizard robes. The producers clearly needed some Bond-level magic in Hogwarts. However Connery wasn’t charmed by the fantasy style, regardless of starring in Highlander and Dragonheart, which had been mainly wizard-adjacent. Possibly Hogwarts simply didn’t have sufficient martinis for him. So Harris stepped in and gave us a smart, twinkly-eyed headmaster who was extra beard than man, and we wouldn’t have it some other manner.
Jude Legislation as Gilderoy Lockhart
Earlier than he grew to become the most popular Dumbledore the Wizarding World has ever seen, Jude Legislation practically joined the Potterverse a lot earlier, because the obnoxiously charming Gilderoy Lockhart. However alas, Legislation was deemed too younger (and doubtless too handsome) to play the egomaniacal professor. Kenneth Branagh finally snagged the position and gave us a Lockhart who was half hero, half hair product business. Enjoyable reality: Alan Cumming additionally turned down the position after studying he’d be paid lower than the children. Even magical egos want magical paychecks.
Saoirse Ronan as Luna Lovegood
Whimsical. Smart. Splendidly bizarre. That’s Luna Lovegood. And Saoirse Ronan, Oscar darling and indie movie powerhouse, auditioned to play the dreamy Ravenclaw. She didn’t get it, after all, and the position went to Evanna Lynch, who embodied Luna’s floaty brilliance like she’d been plucked straight from Rowling’s pages. Ronan later shrugged off the loss, noting she’s higher off doing quirky coming-of-age hits and Wes Anderson masterpieces. And actually, she’s in all probability proper. However admit it, you form of wish to see her rocking a lion hat within the Quidditch stands.
Ian McKellen as Dumbledore
Speak about magical déjà vu. Ian McKellen was provided the position of Dumbledore, twice. As soon as whereas Richard Harris was nonetheless technically respiration hearth (figuratively), and once more after Harris handed. However McKellen declined each occasions. Why? As a result of Harris didn’t suppose too kindly of McKellen’s performing chops, famously calling him “technically good however passionless.” Yikes. Not one to bop on a rival’s magical grave, McKellen stepped apart, letting Michael Gambon take the Elder Wand. In the meantime, McKellen acquired to maintain being Gandalf, and actually, there’s no room for 2 white-bearded wizards on one résumé.
Tim Roth as Snape
Earlier than Alan Rickman eternally claimed the position of Severus Snape, Tim Roth was forged, after which promptly vanished from the undertaking like he’d downed a bottle of Polyjuice Potion. Roth needed to bow out because of scheduling conflicts with Planet of the Apes (ouch), leaving Rickman to slither in and provides us essentially the most deliciously difficult anti-hero of the collection. Roth later admitted to having some regrets. However let’s face it: nobody may’ve glared fairly like Rickman. That hair, that voice, that dramatic cape flip, it was Snape or nothing.
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