The A-list actors who turned down roles in Harry Potter – from Tilda Swinton to Sean Connery
A WHOLE host of A-list actors turned down roles in the hit Harry Potter movie franchise.
The films starred Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character, while Ralph Fiennes played his nemesis Lord Voldermort, and Emma Watson and Rupert Grint played his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
The first film, The Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 2001 while the last in the franchise, Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiered in 2011.
The films made household names of the stars, but did you know that many Hollywood A Listers were asked to tread the hallowed halls of Hogwarts – but turned down the roles?
The Sun Online looks at some of the stars who could have been cast as the characters we all know and love.
Naomi Watts
Naomi was being tipped for the role of Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother, but her agent turned down the role.
The late Helen McCrory, who also starred in Paddington, was chosen instead.
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee was considered for the iconic part of Dumbledore in 2002, when Richard Harris died after filming the second Harry Potter movie.
However, he turned down the role due because he thought it was in poor taste.
The actor appeared in films such as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and in George Lucas’ Star Wars prequels.
Sir Ian McKellen
Two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen was also approached to be the iconic Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore but he turned down the offer.
Sir Ian wanted to remain forever known as the wizard Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Tilda Swinton
Dr Strange actress Tilda was offered the role of Professor Sybil Trelawney.
However, the star didn’t fancy taking up the spellbook as Divination professor.
She snubbed Harry Potter bosses as she didn’t approve of glorifying the boarding school experience.
She said she: “[disliked] films like Harry Potter which tend to romanticize such places.
“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.”
Sean Connery
Imagine a world where James Bond meets Harry Potter?
Well Sean Connery very nearly came close to replacing Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in The Sorcerers Stone, had the director had his way.
However, the actor refused the part as he had no interest in the subject.
Michael Cera
The role of Jacob in Fantastic Beasts trilogy – the prequel to Harry Potter – was very nearly taken on by Micheal Cera.
However, filming clashed with The Lego Movie and so the part went to Dan Fogler.
Hugh Grant
Paddington villain Hugh Grant was nearly cast as the egocentric Professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
Prior to Paddington the foppish actor is known for playing romantic leads in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually.
However, he reportedly fancied the idea of playing the self absorbed Defense Against the Dark Arts master – except a clash of schedules meant that he could not take up the role and Sir Kenneth Branagh got it instead.
Rosamund Pike
Another Bond character was also very nearly cast for a part in Harry Potter.
Rosamund Pike was offered the role of Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but she thought it was too much of a commitment when she found out she would have to sign on for two more films, with only a small amount of screen time.
Instead, the Gone Girl star declined the part to play Jane Bennet in the Pride and Prejudice film instead.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet was the leading actress in Titanic which won 11 Academy Awards, but she very nearly added another hit role to her impressive acting career.
Kate’s agent turned down the role of Helena Ravenclaw because she was “not interested in following suit of every other actor in Britain by being a part of Harry Potter.”
The Harry Potter franchise is available to stream on Netflix.