YOUR favourite movies could have been very different as...

HOLLYWOOD history could have been very different as some of your all-time favourite movies nearly looked unrecognisable. Just last year, Robbert Eggers' released his version of the 1922 original Nosferatu. What many may not know is that Harry Styles was initially cast in a significant role in the film. In a conversation with IndieWire, director Eggers revealed that Harry was cast as Hutter, the husband of Lilly Rose-Depp in the film, a role that Nicholas Hoult ended up playing.

Image Credit: The Sun [Kristen Stewart as Bella.]

Eggers further explained that the project had faced significant hurdles, saying, "I don’t know if it will happen. It’s fallen apart twice.". He went on to reveal: “I’ve been trying to get the word out because the word did carry that Harry Styles was going to be in the movie. "I just want to be clear that he was going to be Hutter and not Nosferatu himself.". From shocking near-castings in Barbie to major switch-ups in Spider-Man and The Notebook, we reveal the megastars who just missed out.

Image Credit: The Sun [Emily Browning at the Australian premiere of "Class of '07".]

In 2008, Kristen Stewart bagged the infamous role of Bella Swan in the hit franchise Twilight which catapulted her into international stardom. Fans might be surprised to learn that actress Emily Browning was actually creator Stephenie Meyer's first choice for the lead role. Before the movie was even cast, Meyer mentioned Browning in a blog post as her ideal pick but due to scheduling issues Browning turned it down.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party.]

Other well-known actresses that had ties to the role were Michelle Trachtenberg who had joked that she was considered simply because "there aren't many pale girls in Hollywood.". Lily Collins auditioned for the part as well as Jennifer Lawrence who also tried out for Bella before landing her breakout role in The Hunger Games. This 1990 Tim Burton classic saw Hollywood Star Johnny Depp claim one of the most iconic roles of his entire career history.

Image Credit: The Sun [Edward Scissorhands portrait.]

Production company 20th Century Fox originally wanted Tom Cruise for the role, but it turns out he wasn’t director Tim Burton’s ideal choice. Tom Hanks was offered the part but declined in favor of starring in The Bonfire of the Vanities. Actor Gary Oldman passed on the role after admitting he didn’t understand the script and even comedy genius Jim Carrey was also among those considered. Before actress Margot Robbie officially stepped into the role of the iconic doll in 2023, several other A-listers were in the running.

Image Credit: The Sun [Tom Cruise at the premiere of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.]

Top of the list was comedian Amy Schumer who was originally set to star in the film but she had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. After her departure, The Devil Wears Prada alum Anne Hathaway signed on in 2018, ready to bring the character to life in a completely different version of the movie. Meanwhile, Margot who is also a producer on the film didn't originally envision herself but Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot - but due to scheduling conflicts Gadot couldn't do the role.

Image Credit: The Sun [Tom Hanks at the AFI FEST premiere of "Here."]

Ultimately, the part went to Robbie, and the rest is history. But imagining Barbie with a completely different lead makes you wonder how different the movie could have been. Before Rachel McAdams won the iconic role of Allie Hamilton in The Notebook, several well-known actresses were in the running. Popstar Britney Spears was a top contender, having previously worked with Ryan Gosling the main lead on The Mickey Mouse Club when she was 11.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gary Oldman at a photo call.]

According to Gosling, the singer did a great job during their chemistry test, making her a serious consideration for the part. Jennifer Lawrence also auditioned but was ultimately deemed too young for the role at the time. Similarly, Scarlett Johansson and Claire Danes both tried out for the part, competing against a strong pool of talent. Spider-Man: Homecoming saw Tom Holland step into the role of Marvel's web-slinging superhero in 2017.

Image Credit: The Sun [Margot Robbie in a pink gingham dress and hat, waving.]

But it was A-Lister Timothée Chalamet, who was relatively unknown at the time, who orginally screen-tested for the role. He later admitted that he left his audition "sweating in a total panic"- since then, Chalamet has steered clear of comic book films. Then there was Paul Rudd, who was filming Marvel film Ant-Man around the same time and almost stepped into the Spidey suit. Sex Education's Asa Butterfield and Nat Wolff also auditioned for the role, each bringing their own spin to the iconic character.

Image Credit: The Sun [Amy Schumer at the Kinda Pregnant premiere.]

When it comes to The Matrix, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Keanu Reeves as Neo, but the casting process was full of unexpected twists. Johnny Depp was actually directors the Wachowskis' first choice for the role of the iconic hacker, but things didn’t work out. In the early stages of development, Brandon Lee was also considered for the part in the 1999 flick—he was a top contender until he tragically passed away before filming.