5 Iconic Roles That Were Almost Played By Other Actors!

On this past Friday's (February 19) episode of "RuPaul's Drag Race", minds were blown everywhere when Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway revealed to the queens that she the NINTH choice to play her iconic role in The Devil Wears Prada!!! Indeed one of the actresses who was in line before Anne included Rachel McAdams! Some actors just fit a part so perfectly that it’s hard to think about anyone else playing that role. Jennifer Aniston is Rachel Green from "Friends" and you can’t convince us otherwise. The same goes for Cady Heron aka Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls. I mean, could you even imagine if Lindsay played Regina George instead? Me either, but it almost happened! Hollywood can be a small world and this actually happens a lot more often than you might think. 

Here are 5 shocking times other actors almost got some of the most iconic roles!

1. Elton John in Rocketman

We all know Taron Egerton played an incredible Elton John in Rocketman. He did Elton so well that we sometimes accidentally think of his face first when we think of Elton John. Along with countless nominations, Taron won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, so we were just as shocked as you probably will be when we found out that Justin Timberlake -- yes, that Justin Timberlake -- was who the director initially wanted to play Elton in the film. Justin played young Elton in the music video for his song "This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore" so it makes sense, but we’re still thankful they chose Taron in the end. 

2. Dan Humphrey in "Gossip Girl"

There is literally no world in which someone else could have played Dan Humphrey in "Gossip Girl" other than Penn Badgley. It’s one of the most iconic roles of our generation, and arguably "Gossip Girl" wouldn’t have been so iconic if it wasn’t for some of the actors fitting their roles so perfectly, mainly Penn. Not to be dramatic or anything, but we don’t think life would be the same if Dan Humphrey wasn’t played by Penn Badgley. However, the directors originally wanted Alden Ehrenreich to play Dan, but they ultimately decided he needed to be taller to fit the part. 

3. Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook

Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook, so if that isn’t Hollywood saying you fit the part perfectly, I don’t know what is. Funny enough, Anne Hathaway turned down the role, but it’s a good thing, though, because the on-screen chemistry that J.Law and Bradley Cooper had is just unmatched. 

4. Serena Van Der Woodsen in "Gossip Girl"

It’s crazy that another "Gossip Girl" character is also making this list because these parts seem like they were just made for these actors. So to say that we were surprised that Rumer Willis was the director's first choice to play Serena is an understatement. Out of all the people on this list, we just can’t imagine anyone else playing this role more than Blake Lively herself. 

5. Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon is Elle Woods, and no matter how many new movies or TV shows she’s in, she will forever be Elle Woods. Interestingly, Christina Applegate was being considered for the role, but she decided she didn’t want to be typecast for playing dumb blondes. Honestly it worked out perfectly for both actresses!