It’s hard to imagine Twilight without Robert Pattison and Kristen Stewart taking on the
roles of star-crossed human slash Vampire lovers.
But it turns out the original picks for the cast didn’t exactly make it on the big screen!
So who almost made it in the films?
Let’s get into it!
It’s been more than a decade since the Twilight saga made its way into movie theaters and
won the world over.
But, way back in 2007, a year before its release, author Stephanie Meyer shared her opinions
on which actors and actresses should play the characters from her beloved book series.
You know when you’re reading a book and envision what the characters might look like,
yeah, that’s like this but like times 1000 because she wrote it.
Stephanie wrote on her blog, quote, “My opinions on the movie matter to no one.
I have no influence on what goes on with the movie at all.”
She added jokingly, “No one is going to ask who I think should star in Twilight.”
Her choices, however, will surprise you!
Because nope, she didn’t have Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattinson as Bella Swan and Edward
Cullen.
For the role of Bella Swan, she went with Australian actress Emily Browning who you
may know from the movie Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Of course, Kristen landed the role of the clumsy but endearing lead character.
When it came time to choose Bella’s Vampire beau, she envisioned Henry Cavill and his
superman good looks for the role of Edward Cullen.
At the time she called him, quote “the only actor I’ve ever seen who I think could come
close to pulling off Edward Cullen.”
I mean, we could see it!
But Robert Pattinson also had no trouble taking on the role of the often romantic, always
brooding vampire.
For Dr. Carlisle Cullen she pictured Charlie Hunnam of Sons of Anarchy fame, and, although
it would’ve been cool to see Dr. Cullen on a motorcycle, Peter Facinelli was cast
in the role instead.
Stephanie may have had actor Steven Strait in mind for the role of Jacob Black, but as
we all know he got to keep his shirt on, and Taylor Lautner took on the role of the moody
teenage werewolf.
And it doesn’t stop there.
A list of other famous faces nearly made their way into the dense forest of Forks Washington.
Jennifer Lawrence of Academy Award winning and constantly searching for pizza fame, actually
auditioned for the role of Bella Swan.
Back in 2012 she told the Guardian, quote “I had no idea Twilight would be such a
big deal.”
She even shared how she thought Kristen felt, adding, “For me, and assuming for her, it
was just another audition.
Then it turned into this whole other thing.”
It also turns out that we could’ve seen Lily Collins as Bella in Forks long before
her role as Emily in Paris.
She told CraveOnline that she auditioned for the part but it just wasn't meant to be, sharing,
quote, “I think everything happens for a reason and everyone who gets the roles they
get were meant to.”
One of the pretty little liars also nearly became a future seeing vampire.
Lucy Hale shared with J-14 that she auditioned for the role of Alice.
She shared, quote, "I read the books, and I wanted to be part of the first movie so
bad."
Though as we all know, Ashley Greene ended up getting the part.
In another surprise almost casting actress Michelle Trachtenberg was in talks to play
Bella.
She told Entertainment Weekly, quote “There was definitely interest here and there because
there’s only so few pale girls in Hollywood.”
Vanessa Hudgens was a rumored runner up for the role of werewolf Leah Clearwater but the
high school musical graduate didn’t make the grade and the role was ultimately played
by Julia Jones.
Channing Tatum was actually discussed as an option for the role of Riley in The Twilight
Saga’s Eclipse film.
Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg started buzz when she told E! News she pictured him in
Eclipse, adding that she felt Channing could play the role “beautifully”
Alas, actor Xavier Samuel played the part so we’ll never know the vampire with magic
mike-esque dance moves that might’ve been.
And yes, though all of these potential castings would’ve been so fun to watch, we’re still
happy with the actors and actresses who gave us the Vampire, human, sometimes involving
a werewolf, love story we know and love!
For more Twilight nostalgia including where you can binge each film in the series, click
right over here for another Clevver video.
Also, let me know down in the comments, which actress or actor you wish made it in the series?
As always, I’m your host Renee Ariel, you can find me on Instagram @Renee Ariel, and
I’ll see ya next time!