WHEN the first Harry Potter film premiered way back in 2001, it launched three unknown children into superstardom.
It also cemented the careers of several well-known stars, including Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith in the eyes of a younger generation.
But several of the key characters were almost played by different actors – who ended up missing out on the chance of a lifetime.
It’s been 20 years since the series debuted in the cinemas and now the original cast are preparing for a reunion.
Here we take a look at who almost played Harry, Hagrid and more – and why they didn’t make the cut.
Liam Aiken – Harry Potter
The boy who lived almost had a very different face – and an American accent.
US actor Liam Aiken was initially offered the role by director Chris Columbus who had worked with him on Stepmom.
But the offer was rescinded almost immediately as author JK Rowling banned the filmmakers from casting any non-British actors.
It meant that the titular role was eventually offered to Daniel Radcliffe.
Hugh Grant – Professor Lockhart
Romcom king Hugh Grant almost played the ultimate wizarding world flirt Gilderoy Lockhart.
Grant was offered the role and even accepted it but it all fell apart due to scheduling issues with another film.
It was reported at the time that he had even begun to process of dying his hair blonde for the role before having to pull out.
It ended up with the veteran actor stepping away from the film and the role going to Kenneth Branagh.
Tilda Swinton – Professor Sybill Trelawney
Before Emma Thompson took the role, it was initially offered to Lion With and The Wardrobe actress Tilda Swinton.
She turned down the role straight away due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that she fundamentally disagrees with boarding schools.
In a 2016 interview with The Scots Magazine she said: “I dislike films like Harry Potter which tend to romanticize such places [boarding schools].”
“I think they are a very cruel setting in which to grow up and I don’t feel children benefit from that type of education. Children need their parents and the love parents can provide.”
Kate Winslet – Helena Ravenclaw
Winslet was the first choice to play the ghost of Ravenclaw by the director of the first film.
But the part was rejected outright by the Titanic star’s agent.
The role eventually went to Kelly Macdonald and although it was a smaller part in the films than the books, Lady Grey was key to finding Voldermort’s final horcrux.
Robin Williams – Rubeus Hagrid
Williams had initially called director Chris Columbus to express his interest in playing everyone’s favourite Keeper of Keys and Grounds.
It led to him being the director’s first choice for Rubeus Hagrid.
But J K Rowling again insisted that all the cast had to be British actors and therefore vetoed Williams.
The role was given to Robbie Coltrane who became an iconic character in the franchise.
Peter O’Toole – Professor Albus Dumbledore
The legendary actor was considered for the role of Hogwarts’ headmaster after the original actor Richard Harris fell ill and passed away.
But by the time the role came up O’Toole was in his late 70s and the team behind the films were concerned about possible health issues and the toll of the series.
They decided to give the role to the slightly younger Michael Gambon who played the role until the end of the franchise.
Rosamund Pike – Rita Skeeter
Before appearing in 2014’s Gone Girl, Pike had signed up to play the gossipy journalist in The Goblet of Fire.
But after learning she would have to be in The Order of the Phoneix with very little screen time she dropped out.
The recasting caused the part to be reduced in the films and it was eventually portrayed by Miranda Richardson.
Tim Roth – Professor Severus Snape
While Alan Rickman’s portrayal of the potions master is the most iconic part of the film series, he wasn’t the first choice.
Tim Roth was being lined up by directors to star as the slippery teacher but dropped out.
Instead of the seven-film role, he decided to star in Tim Burton’s The Planet Of The Apes.
Naomi Watts – Narcissa Malfoy
Before Helen McRory took on the role of Draco Malfoy’s mum, the director had first offered it to Naomi.
But she didn’t get a chance to even consider the role as her agent rejected the offer straight away.
Speaking to MTV, Naomi said: “I didn’t even hear about it except through the media. Not through my agents [or anybody else]. I don’t know how that transpired.”
Ian McKellen – Albus Dumbledore
The famous Gandelf actor was in the running to take over the Hogwarts’ headmaster role after Richard Harris fell ill.
But he was taken out after Harris called him a “dreadful actor” before he passed out of respect for the original Dumbledore.
Harris had described McKellen’s work as “technically brilliant, but passionless.”
The role was given to Michael Gambon.
Jamie Campbell-Bower – Tom Riddle
There are lots of incarnations of Tom Riddle in the series, and Campbell-Bower was being considered for the version in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
But he was unsuccessful and the role went to Frank Dillane.
Later on, Campbell-Bower was given a role in the original series of Gellert Grindelwald, the second most powerful wizard of all time.
