20 Actors You Didn't Know Almost Played X-Men

11. Ethan Embry Was Almost Nightcrawler

Ethan Embry Nightcrawler
WC

In addition to Alan Cumming and Neil Patrick Harris auditioning for the role of the teleporting German Catholic mutant in X2, Ethan Embry - best known as the lead in teen comedy Can't Hardly Wait, who built his reputation with the likes of White Squall, That Thing You Do and Disturbing Behavior - was also up for the role, with some outlets, including THR announcing that his was a done deal.

But almost as quickly as the rumours surfaced that he had been cast, counter-rumours appeared, mostly thanks to the disconnect between Embry's age and the apparent age of Nightcrawler in the script, and it was confirmed that the announcement was premature, with someone having pressed the trigger way too quick. Apparently, Embry had merely been in talks and screened for the role.

Quite how Embry would have fit the character remains to be seen, but there was a certain youthful rawness in his some of his youthful roles, and it seems an odd jump to have him as the older, more battle-worn Nightcrawler as Cumming played him.

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