Here's one of the more ridiculous almost-castings for the series. In the early films Harry Potter provided a home for actors with a history in comedy - John Cleese, Zoë Wanamaker and Rik Mayall all acted in the first film (although the latter was cut) - but by the time the fourth movie rolled around things were getting more serious. Humour still played a role, although you'd think not to extent of any stunt casting. Well you'd think wrong. Goblet Of FIre director Mike Newell and co. offered David Walliams the part of the un-polyjuiced Barty Crouch Jr., a small but effective role in the fourth film. With his once-funny Little Britain entering its third series Walliams didn't have the time to spare, with another David, this time Tennant, coming on board. In the years since Walliams has become a prolific children's author himself, with his creations also getting their live-action versions (although none to the same success as Potter).
