"That actor was almost cast as..."

[DisneyBlu]

We've all read stories of actors that were almost cast as a certain role -- which ones are you glad didn't happen? Which ones do you think might have worked, had they happened?

One that comes to mind is Jake Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man in the Raimi movies. I thought Tobey was pretty good; a little "soft" at times, but I could see Jake in those movies. I don't think he'd have been a bad choice at all.

While I'm on Spider-Man, ones I'm glad didn't happen:

- Leo DiCaprio (Raimi). Love Leo, but he wouldn't have been right at all. Same for Freddie Prinze Jr. or Heath Ledger.

- Michael Angarano, Josh Hutcherson, Jamie Bell were all considered for The Amazing Spider-Man... IMO, none would have fit. Especially Hutcherson. Guy is too short, and his jaw is too square. I think Garfield was the best choice. I remember Logan Lerman was up for the role, haven't seen him act in much, but look-wise he comes pretty close. He might have been good had Garfield not nabbed it.

Also, I saw Cillian Murphy's screen test for Bruce/Batman in Batman Begins. Did not work at all, but he ended up being perfect for Scarecrow. Same goes for Tom Hiddleston; he auditioned for Thor, didn't fit at all, and ended up being cast as Loki which he pulls off perfectly.

Feel free to list "castings that almost were" for any film from any time period.