Can you believe that somebody once told Meryl Streep that she was too ugly for a role? Or Henry Cavill was too fat for his character? Those are just some of the famous stars who almost lost their major chances because of their looks. Some got rejected because they were too beautiful, while others were disqualified for not being pretty enough.
Scroll on and find out about these stars who almost lost their major chances due to their appearance. Is your favorite too ugly, or too pretty for their role?
1. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint
Source: Columbia Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Nowadays, it's hard to imagine anybody else playing the legendary Harry Potter trio than Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint. However, J. K. Rowling originally thought that they are “too cute” for their characters. In her mind, Hermione, Harry, and Ron are a lot more nerdy and plain. Luckily, she changed her mind.
2. Keira Knightley
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Keira Knightley almost lost her role in Pride and Prejudice because director Joe Wright thought she was too beautiful for the part. The actress recalled her story in an interview, jokingly adding, “Then we met and he said, ’Oh, no, you’re fine.’” Thank god that Joe Wright reconsidered his decision, otherwise we wouldn't have such an amazing performance!
3. Scarlett Johansson
Source: Walt Disney Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
On the other hand, Scarlett Johansson wasn't so lucky. She wanted to star in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but the film director David Fincher thought that she was too sexy for the role. He praised her talent, saying that “Scarlett was amazing. Her audition was fantastic.” However, her attractiveness wasn't what the movie needed.
4. Jennifer Lawrence
Source: Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
The Hunger Games might turn
Jennifer Lawrence into a global star, but it was Winter’s Bone that got her into the Oscar game. However, she almost never got the chance because she was “too pretty.” After she got rejected, Lawrence auditioned again. This time, she made sure to not hit the shower or comb her hair. Her messy appearance turned out to be the perfect background for her acting talent to shine.
5. Winona Ryder
Source: 20th Century Studios/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Winona Ryder’s earlier days aren't easy. When she was 15, she went on an audition with a heart full of hopes and dreams. Then in the middle of her lines, a casting director cut her off and told her she shouldn’t be an actress. "You’re not pretty enough. You should go back to wherever you came from and go to school,” they said.
Thankfully, Ryder never took the advice and continued to fight for her dream. We bet that the director must be regretting so hard afterward.
6. Henry Cavill
Source: Universal Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Can you believe that Henry Cavill was once told he was too fat for a role? Well, it's the truth. The Man of Steel isn't started out with his peak physique. At the start of his career, Cavill wanted to play James Bond. At his audition, the director jokingly said that he was "looking a little chubby" and suggested he should focus on getting in shape. Cavill took the advice to his heart and trained himself to become who he is today.
7. Jon Hamm
Source: Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Jon Hamm was originally rejected for the TV series Mad Men. The creator of the show, Matthew Weiner, was having some doubts about Hamm's appearance and was hesitant to add him to the production. "In 2006 there were no handsome leading men. It wasn’t the style,” he explained.
8. Hugh Grant
Source: Sony Pictures Releasing/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Hugh Grant also went through a similar situation with the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. Screenwriter Richard Curtis thought the movie star was too handsome to be the movie's protagonist Charles. However, Grant's acting talent made him reconsider his decision. Thank god that he chose the right one!
9. Meryl Streep
Source: Disney/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Meryl Streep had to experience a pretty embarrassing audition for the movie King Kong. The producer didn't know she could speak Italian, so he told his son, “What an ugly woman.” Unlucky for him, Streep understood perfectly what he had just commented about her. So the actress gave him a little fireback, saying “I’m sorry I’m not pretty enough to be in King Kong.”
10. Alicia Silverstone
Source: 20th Television/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Before she became a big name in Clueless, Alicia Silverstone auditioned for the drama series, My So-Called Life. However, the co-producer Herskovitz thought that her physique wouldn't fit the teenage character that she'd play. “Alicia is so beautiful that it would have affected her experience of the world. People have been telling her she’s pretty since she was 6 years old,” Herskovitz claimed.
11. Jamie Dornan
Soubig starsNetflix/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Jamie Dornan's performance in The Fall might be his best one yet. However, he almost never got the chance to star in the show due to his handsome look. In an interview, his co-star Gillian Anderson revealed that they never intended to get someone so attractive. "But it was clear that he was the right person for the job,” Anderson added.
12. Andrew Garfield
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures/ Courtesy of Everett Collection
Andrew Garfield was so happy to make it to the last casting round for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. He was so close to playing the lead role of Prince Caspian! However, he never got the chance to play the part because “he was not handsome enough.”
Those are some big stars who almost lost their major chances because of their appearance. If you’re wondering what other celebrities would do if they hadn’t become famous, then check out our previous post
here. Some jobs on that list are WILD!