10 Actors Cast In Different Movie Roles Than They Wanted
6. Lily James - Cinderella
As difficult as it may be to believe, there was actually a time there when the magnetic Lily James didn't really see herself playing the titular princess in Disney's live-action version of Cinderella.
The British thespian actually fancied playing one of Ella's stepsisters in the Kenneth Branagh-directed tale - a part she felt could allow her to "just be more quirky and comical" rather than worrying about being "pretty." (via TIME)
However, the casting director ultimately felt it would be a good idea to have her read for the part of Ella, too, while she was there. So, she did, and James recalled that it "just felt right."
A few months later, and after going through a number of screen tests, with one of them even involving director Branagh playing the part of Prince Charming - "he’s a really good Prince Charming," according to James - the star was eventually told she'd be playing the iconic princess in the flick.
And with James going on to earn rave reviews for her breakthrough role as the central figure with a "generous spirit", that decision to have her read a few lines during that stepsister audition turned out to be a masterstroke.