WHAT IF? - TV Casting Edition

[Sawyer]

I seem to recall reading that Jon Cryer was also in the running for Chandler, as was Jon Favreau.

Arrested Development

- Michael Angarano was going to play George Michael if things didn't work out with Michael Cera's work visa.

- Rainn Wilson auditioned for GOB.

- David Cross was originally approached for Buster, but opted to play the role of Tobias.

- Mara Wilson passed up an opportunity to audition for Maeby.

- This entire article.

 

[RiXi]

Friends:
Nancy McKeon almost landed the role of Monica Geller
Craig Bierko was almost cast as Chandler Bing

The production offered Courteney Cox the role of Rachel, but she wanted to be Monica.

 

[Jason Kane]

Doctor Who:

-Leslie French was considered for the role of the 1st Doctor. Geoffrey Bayldon was offered the role but turned it down (later played an alternate version for Big Finish Productions' Doctor Who Unbound series.

-Jackie Lane (Dodo) and Anneke Wills (Polly) auditioned for the role of Susan but lost to Carole Ann Ford.

-Ron Moody was offered the part of the 3rd Doctor but turned it down; later admited to regerting his decision after seeing the success of Jon Pertwee in the role.

-Graham Crowden was considered for the 4th

-Anthony Head, Liam Cunningham, Tony Slattery, Tim McInnerny, Mark McGann (brother of Paul), Robert Lindsay, Nathanial Parker and future 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi (as mentioned in the Who thread) all auditioned for the role of the 8th Doctor. Future 9th Doctor Christopher Eccleston was offered the role but declined.

 

[mikeyh89]

Friends:
Nancy McKeon almost landed the role of Monica Geller
Craig Bierko was almost cast as Chandler Bing

I think Jami Gertz was in the running for Rachel, too. And Leah Remini for Monica.

And Jennifer Aniston turned down SNL to do Friends, and people thought it was career suicide at the time. Heh.

EDIT: Actually, Jami Gertz was also for Monica. Tea Leoni was considered for Rachel though.

 

[Donnie Darko]

It's just hard to imagine anyone else in those roles. The Friends cast had such great chemistry, and it seems like each actor fit their roles perfectly. It's like how I could also never imagine anyone else playing the main characters on Seinfeld (even after seeing Larry David briefly portray George on Curb Your Enthusiasm).

 

[Sawyer]

Batman (1966)

- Suzanne Pleshette was one of the first choices for Catwoman, before Julie Newmar.

- Lyle Waggoner tested for the role of Batman.

- Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy were both offered the role of The Penguin

- The producers originally wanted Jose Ferrer to play The Joker.

Batman: The Animated Series

- Tim Curry was originally cast, and recorded several episodes, as The Joker before being recast.

- Al Pacino was offered the role of Two-Face.

- Kevin Conroy originally auditioned for the role of Harvey Bullock.

- Bruce Timm first considered Anthony Hopkins to play Mr. Freeze.

 

[Donnie Darko]

Hmmm. Did Conroy just think he didn't have the "name" to play Batman?

 

[Sawyer]

I just read that apparently Helen Hunt was in talks to replace Maura Tierney for the role of Sarah on Parenthood before Lauren Graham was cast. I can kind of picture it.

 

[flickchick85]

And Jennifer Aniston turned down SNL to do Friends, and people thought it was career suicide at the time. Heh.

I have a really hard time imagining her on SNL, but then, I always find myself thinking her comedic chops on Friends were pretty underrated, so maybe she would have been great.

 

[Sawyer]

I can't really imagine any of the cast members from Friends on SNL. Besides Lisa Kudrow anyway. I think she would've fit in there quite well.

 

[flickchick85]

Oh yes, Kudrow would've killed it on SNL.