1 / 10
While Robbie Coltrane remains the beloved "Hagrid," the whimsical Robin Williams was originally considered for the role. It's impossible to know what Williams would have brought to the gentle giant, but it certainly would have been memorable.
2 / 10
The Grey Lady, "Helena Ravenclaw," was almost played by the Oscar-winning Kate Winslet. While Winslet's presence would have been undeniable, the role ultimately went to the more ethereal Nina Young and later Kelly MacDonald.
3 / 10
Before becoming "Newt Scamander" in the 'Fantastic Beasts' universe, Eddie Redmayne was considered for the young "Tom Riddle." While it's hard to imagine anyone else but Christian Coulson in the role, Redmayne's take could have been fascinating.
4 / 10
Naomi Watts, the queen of captivating chills, was considered for the icy yet elegant "Narcissa Malfoy." While Helen McCrory ultimately portrayed the role with chilling accuracy, Watts' portrayal would have been intriguing to see.
5 / 10
Imagine the flamboyant Tilda Swinton channeling the eccentric Divination professor, "Professor Trelawney." It would have been a sight to behold, though Emma Thompson ultimately gave the character her own quirky magic.
6 / 10
Before Evanna Lynch brought "Luna Lovegood's" whimsicality to life, Saoirse Ronan was considered for the role. While both actresses would have brought unique strengths, Lynch's quirky charm ultimately won the hearts of fans.
7 / 10
"Gilderoy Lockhart," the charismatic yet fraudulent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, was almost played by the ever-charming Hugh Grant. While Kenneth Branagh's flamboyant portrayal was perfect, Grant's comedic timing could have added another layer to the character.
8 / 10
Another contender for the flamboyant "Lockhart" was the charming Jude Law. While Kenneth Branagh ultimately owned the role, Law's charisma could have brought a different dimension to the character. Law eventually joined the franchise as a younger "Albus Dumbledore" in the 'Fantastic Beasts' saga.
9 / 10
The sharp-tongued gossip columnist "Rita Skeeter" could have been brought to life by the talented Rosamund Pike. However, Miranda Richardson's sharp portrayal ultimately captured the character's conniving essence.
10 / 10
This one might surprise you, but Tim Roth was actually in talks for the role of "Snape" before Alan Rickman stole the show. Roth, known for his intense performances, could have brought a different edge to the Potions Master.
The casting of the Harry Potter movies was a magical feat in itself, but imagine a world where things looked a little different? The hit magical franchise didn't only launch the careers of so many young aspiring stars, it also had a display of iconic British legends.
While the casting choices we got were perfect, it's fun to imagine what could have been! Here are 10 actors who almost made it into the wizarding world: