15 Actors Who Almost Played A Different Role in the Same Series
![15 Actors Who Almost Played A Different Role in the Same Series](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/1/6/842916_320x180.jpg)
What could have been? The question is the basis for most fiction, but even in fiction there are endless fractals of could have beens and should bes. Sometimes the best actor in the world auditions for a role and doesn’t get it, and sometimes the perfect part isn’t meant to be. Despite that, though, sometimes great actors find great roles later. Much, much later, in some cases.
Sometimes an actor wasn’t right for the role, or had to take a different one, or sometimes they just weren’t as good as they could have been if circumstances had been different. Hey, it happens.
From Star Wars to Doctor Who to the 19 million Marvel movies we’ll be bombarded with next week, here’s a roundup of actors who tried to find a role in a show or movie, and failed — only to come back in a much, much (sometimes much) different role later on.
Joker and Batman in 'The Dark Knight' Trilogy
![Same series, almost a different role THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY HEATH LEDGER as Batman Before Christian Bale took the role, Ledger was up for the Dark Knight, but turned it down. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/3/3/842933.jpg)
Source: CBR
Draco and Harry in 'Harry Potter'
![Same series, almost a different role HARRY POTTER TOM FELTON as Harry Potter Felton tried out for Potter before becoming his nemesis. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/3/0/842930.jpg)
Source: Cinemablend
Dwight and Michael in 'The Office'
![Same series, almost a different role THE OFFICE RAINN WILSON as Michael Scott Assistant to the Regional Manager? No. Regional Manager. Wilson auditioned for Michael before ending up as Dwight Schrute (and usurping him). CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/1/842921.jpg)
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
Doctor Strange and Malekith in the MCU
![Same series, almost a different role MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH as Malekith Before taking the role of the Sorcerer Supreme, Cumberbatch almost ended up the villain in the worst Thor movie. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/3/4/842934.jpg)
Source: The Direct
Karen, Cady, and Regina in 'Mean Girls'
![Same series, almost a different role MEAN GIRLS AMANDA SEYFRIED and LINDSAY LOHAN as Regina George In fact, almost all of the main cast auditioned for a different role. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/3/1/842931.jpg)
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
Loki and Thor in the MCU
![Same series, almost a different role MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE TOM HIDDLESTON as Thor Hiddleston tried out for the God of Thunder before becoming the God of Mischief. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/9/842929.jpg)
Source: Entertainment Tonight/YouTube
Bill and Ted in 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'
![Same series, almost a different role BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE BILL and TED as each other Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves didn't even know who was who until the costume fitting. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/8/842928.jpg)
Source: Express
Niobe and Trinity in 'The Matrix'
![Same series, almost a different role THE MATRIX JADA PINKETT SMITH as Trinity Pinkett Smith didn't work as Neo's companion, but then the Wachoswkis created Niobe just to have her in their movie series. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/7/842927.jpg)
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
Jonathan and Xander in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'
![Same series, almost a different role BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER DANNY STRONG as Xander Now best known for making Dopesick, co-making Empire, and writing Mockingjay, Strong originally auditioned for the lead role of Xander. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/3/842923.jpg)
Source: POPSUGAR
Bill and Eric in 'True Blood'
![Same series, almost a different role TRUE BLOOD ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD as Bill Compton Does this mean if Skarsgård had gotten the role, he and Anna Paquin would be married now? CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/6/842926.jpg)
Source: Digital Spy
Deaton and Allison's Dad in 'Teen Wolf'
![Same series, almost a different role TEEN WOLF JR BOURNE as Dr. Deaton Bourne came in for Deaton, but ended up as Chris Argent, werewolf hunter. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/4/842924.jpg)
Source: Just Jared
Lisa in 'Saved by the Bell'
![Same series, almost a different role ? SAVED BY THE BELL LARK VOORHIES as some girl Voorhies was in for a guest role, but they had her read for Lisa Turtle instead. She ended up getting the role, and the character changed around her. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/2/842922.jpg)
Source: Today
Caleb and Angel in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'
![Same series, almost a different role BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER NATHAN FILLION as Angel Before showing up as archnemesis priest Caleb, Nathan Fillion was almost Buffy's paramour. He'd get his own Whedon show later with Firefly. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/5/842925.jpg)
Source: Screen Rant
Kurt and Artie in 'Glee'
![Same series, almost a different role GLEE CHRIS COLFER as Artie Abrams Colfer's audition changed the show entirely. After losing his audition for Artie, the character of Kurt Hummel was created just for him. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/2/0/842920.jpg)
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Cordelia and Buffy in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'
![Same series, almost a different role BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER CHARISMA CARPENTER as Buffy After trying out for Buffy, Carpenter ended up as Cordelia (after the original Cordelia ended up as Kendra). CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/9/3/2/842932.jpg)
Source: Express