The actors who almost appeared in Harry Potter films -

Everyone knows ‘Harry Potter’. Both the book and film series are huge parts of contemporary culture. The films helped restart the UK film industry, and introduced the world to the UK’s finest acting talent. However, which actors didn’t get a place on the ‘Harry Potter’ cast?

Click on to find out more about the actors who almost appeared in 'Harry Potter.'

© Getty Images

The actors who almost appeared in 'Harry Potter' -

Apparently, British actors Henry Cavill and Robert Pattinson have been neck and neck for some of the biggest roles in the business throughout their careers. It started when they both auditioned for the role of Cedric Diggory in the fourth of the 'Harry Potter' films, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.' Of course, the role went to Pattinson in the end. Resurfaced blog posts from 'Twilight' author Stephanie Meyers have revealed that they were also in competition for the role of Edward Cullen in the film adaptations of her books, which skyrocketed Pattinson to international fame. Meyers wrote that Cavill was actually her dream Edward and the only person she could picture playing the character, but sadly, he was slightly too old at the time. Luckily, there are no bad feelings on Cavill's side, despite losing two major roles to Pattinson, although he did joke that he's "sensing some Batman rivalries," referring to their respective roles as Superman and Batman in the DC Universe. 

© Getty Images

Peter O’Toole - Legendary actor Peter O'Toole starred in films such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘My Favourite Year’.

© Getty Images

Peter O’Toole - O’Toole was considered for the role of Albus Dumbledore, after the original actor Richard Harris passed away. At the time, it was believed that producers were also concerned with O’Toole’s health. The role eventually went to Michael Gambon.

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

J.K. Rowling - That’s right, J.K. Rowling herself almost showed up in the film series. The writer was considered for the role of Harry’s mother, Lily.

© Getty Images

J.K. Rowling -

It didn’t work out in the end, and the role eventually went to Geraldine Somerville.

© Getty Images

Tim Roth - The late Alan Rickman impressed audiences worldwide as Severus Snape. However, the role could have played by another actor entirely: Tim Roth.

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Tim Roth - Roth was apparently first in line for the role, but chose to work on ‘The Planet of the Apes’ instead.

© Getty Images

Kate Winslet - The ‘Titanic’ narrowly missed out on joining the ‘Harry Potter’ cast.

© Getty Images

Kate Winslet - Winslet was considered for the role of Helena Ravenclaw, a ghost who haunts Hogwarts. According to Hollywood.com, Winslet’s agent rejected the role on her behalf. Kelly Macdonald (right) and Nina Young played the role in two seperate films.

© Getty Images

Ian McKellen - No stranger to wizarding roles, Sir Ian McKellen was another actor who was considered for the role of Albus Dumbledore.

© Getty Images

Ian McKellen - After Richard Harris died, he was offered the role. But knowing that Harris had been critical of his previous acting work, McKellen didn't feel it would be right.

© Getty Images

Robin Williams -

Rubeus Hagrid was a role made iconic by the late Robbie Coltrane. However, the late Robin Williams also had a chance at playing the character.

© NL Beeld

Robin Williams - Apparently, Warner Brothers had picked Williams as first choice. However, J.K. Rowling wasn’t happy with an American actor in the role.

© Getty Images

Tilda Swinton - Swinton almost swiped up the role of Sybil Trelawney, a quirky character who fit the actress’s style.

© Getty Images

Tilda Swinton - Scheduling conflicts prevented Swinton from joining the ‘Harry Potter’ cast. The amazing Emma Thompson took on the role instead.

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Hugh Grant - In ‘Chamber of Secrets’, Gilderoy Lockhart was played brilliantly by Kenneth Branagh. However, Hugh Grant was offered the role first, and even accepted it. So what went wrong?

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Hugh Grant - Yet again, it was scheduling conflicts that caused Grant to miss the opportunity.

© Getty Images

Rosamund Pike - Way before ‘Gone Girl’, Rosamund Pike was hoping to join ‘Harry Potter’ as Rita Skeeter.

© GettyImages

Rosamund Pike - However, things didn’t work out, and the role eventually went to Miranda Richardson.

© Getty Images

Billy Connolly - The legendary comedian was considered for the quirky character, Xenophilius Lovegood.

© Getty Images

Billy Connolly - However, he decided to work on other films such as ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ instead. Rhys Ifans stepped in to take the role instead.

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Naomi Watts - Naomi Watts missed out on playing Narcissa Malfoy, mother of the menacing Draco Malfoy.

© Getty Images

Naomi Watts - However, like Kate Winslet, Watts apparently had the role refused by her agent. Instead, Helen McRory played the complex character.

© Getty Images

David Walliams - Talking with the Daily Star, David Walliams said he was “was offered a part, not a big part” in the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

© Getty Images

David Walliams - He didn’t reveal who he could have played, yet Walliams would have been a great addition to the magical movies.

© Getty Images

Robson Green - Now known for his ‘Extreme Fishing’ series, Robson Green almost scored a role in the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

© Getty Images

Robson Green - Green was apparently picked out for the role of Sirius Black by director Chris Columbus. However, Alfonso Cuaron handled the film with Black, and he picked Gary Oldman instead.  

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Bob Hoskins - According to Popsugar, the late Bob Hoskins was considered for the role of Horace Slughorn.

© Getty Images

Bob Hoskins - Unfortunately for Hoskins, the role landed in the hands of Jim Broadbent.

© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Liam Aiken - That’s right, the all-important mantle of bringing Harry Potter to the big screen was not always for Daniel Radcliffe. Apparently, the role was offered to American actor Liam Aiken.

© Getty Images

Liam Aiken -

However, it didn’t turn out well for Aiken. J.K. Rowling didn’t want the role to go to a non-British actor. Radcliffe was ultimately chosen for the lead role.

See also: From brilliant to rubbish: British accents delivered by American actors

© Getty Images/NL Beeld