Though it began as an independent production, The Twilight Saga ended up taking the world by storm and changing the movie culture as we knew it, becoming one of the most popular, highest-grossing, and culturally relevant teen movie franchises ever. It also served as a starting point for both Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s careers. Although their performances in Twilight often get mocked and ridiculed, they went on to become two of the most successful and highest-paid actors that we know and love today.

As with many movies and franchises, actors from all over auditioned for the role of Edward Cullen, including many names and faces you’d recognize today. While it may be hard to imagine anyone but Pattinson in the role, the reality is that we were almost given a completely different Edward. Indeed, here are actors almost cast the beloved vampire in The Twilight Saga.

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Dave Franco

     Relativity Media

Following his breakthrough role that kick-started his career in 21 Jump Street, Dave Franco went on to star in commercially successful movies such as the Now You See Me franchise and Nerve. Prior to that, however, Franco actually tested for the role of Edward Cullen back in 2008. In a 2012 interview with MTV, the actor opened up about his Twilight audition: “I don’t know how close I was. I read for Catherine Hardwicke, but who knows. I mean, maybe there were still hundreds of kids left reading for Catherine Hardwicke.” The actor admitted that he didn’t really think he had a shot at getting the role.

Jamie Campbell Bower

     Netflix

Although Stranger Things and Mortal Instruments actor Jamie Campbell Bower still landed a role in the Twilight family as Caius of the Volturi family, the producers were really interested in him becoming Edward. “They were like, ’the dedication Jamie brings to his roles, we would be interested in seeing him,’ and all of this and all of that,” he revealed on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast (via Startefacts). What stood in the way was his commitment Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which eventually started Bower’s career. The actor seems to be happy it didn’t work out because he got to avoid the spotlight Pattinson was put under.

Dustin Milligan

     CBC

Even Canadian actor Dustin Milligan, mostly known for his roles in the teen drama television series 90210 and the comedy series Schitt’s Creek, auditioned for the role of the shiny vampire. “I did my best Edward Cullen. But unfortunately, I didn’t have a British accent. So, I didn’t get the job!" he told Access Hollywood.

Michael Welch

     Summit Entertainment

Yet another actor who first auditioned for Edward Cullen but ended up getting another role in franchise is none other than Michael Welch. Twilight fans now know him as the geek and socially awkward human Mike Newton, who instantly grows a crush on the newcomer Bella. When MTV asked the actor how he ended up landing the role, he admitted, “Actually, I originally auditioned for the role of Edward. And as much as I appreciate my representatives thinking that I could pull off hauntingly beautiful — the most gorgeous creature you will ever see on the planet — it’s not quite me…” He then went on to audition for nearly every male role in Twilight before finally getting cast as Mike. Well, at least it eventually worked out.

Henry Cavill

     Warner Bros.

It’s no secret that the author of the Twilight Saga, Stephanie Meyer, had already had the perfect cast in her head even before the movie started the development process. Back in 2017, she wrote on her blog: “The most disappointing thing for me is losing my perfect Edward. Henry Cavill is now 24 years old. Let us have a moment of quiet in which to mourn…” The problem was that Cavill was already too old when asked to play Edward, and he just didn’t fit with the high school teenager role. Only years later did Cavill actually respond to losing the Edward role: “I didn’t know about the movie. I didn’t know about them wanting to cast me and the internet wasn’t quite the tool that it is now, and so I only found out afterwards. I was like, ‘Oh okay, that would have been cool.’”

Ben Barnes

     Walt Disney Company

Most known for his role as Prince Caspian in Narnia and The Darkling in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone, Ben Barnes was one of the final four candidates competing for Edward Cullen. He participated in a few auditions and was one of the first actors they approached about the offer. Barnes later revealed the reason why he eventually wasn’t chosen: “There were two things: First off, they didn’t want to mix Narnia and Twilight. I think it’s dangerous to mix characters from franchises while you’re doing one. And secondly, I’d still be shooting at age 30, playing 17, and nobody wants to see that.” It would have definitely been interesting to see what Barnes could bring to the role.

Shiloh Fernandez

What’s really important for a franchise to become successful is the two main protagonists having incredible chemistry. This wasn’t the case for Shiloh Fernandez and Kristen Stewart. Although the actor made it to the top four of candidates, he confessed that he and Stewart simply “didn’t mesh.” “It didn’t work because I wasn’t right for the part. I was the one who was nervous and awkward. She (Stewart) already had the role of Bella.” Sometimes, it’s good to know when to step back and admit you’re not the right fit for something.

Jackson Rathbone

We think it’s safe to say that Jackson Rathbone was the perfect choice to play Jasper Hale, and the actor loved playing the character as well. But, as it turns out, Meyer shortlisted Rathbone for the role of Edward Cullen as well. Compared to Cavill, Rathbone wasn’t as well known back then and hadn’t yet kick-started his career. Although he apparently wasn’t the first choice, we wonder how he would have adapted to the role of Edward. But as the actor himself admitted, “I wouldn’t have another Edward Cullen than Robert Pattinson. He’s perfect.”

Scott Eastwood

     Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Miramax

Yes, even Suicide Squad and Fast and Furious actor, Scott Eastwood, almost played the angsty vampire. The actor admitted that he didn’t even try that hard in the first place: “I remember thinking, ‘This is stupid!’, I don’t even know why I am on this audition. This is such a YA (Young Adult) movie.” Well, he surely regretted it years later. “Then, the movie turns into seven movies and Robert Pattinson has made a quadrillion dollars.” Maybe don’t knock on it until you’ve tried it next time?