“It just can’t be”: Daniel Radcliffe Almost Lost Harry Potter Before J.K. Rowling’s Stern Rule That Denied Robin Williams Saved 34 Year Old Actor’s Career

Daniel Radcliffe Almost Lost Harry Potter Before J.K. Rowling’s Stern Rule That Denied Robin Williams Saved 34 Year Old Actor’s Career

Daniel Radcliffe, the actor known for portraying the role of Harry Potter in the Harry Potter franchise has become a household name around the world. Before Radcliffe was selected for the role of Harry Potter, there was another actor for the role.

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In an interview with HuffPost, a casting director revealed that the American actor Liam Aiken was heavily considered for the role. Although the actor was impeccable for the role, J.K. Rowling’s one condition proved too burdensome for the American actor.

Daniel Radcliffe in the first Harry Potter film
Daniel Radcliffe in the first Harry Potter film

Daniel Radcliffe Wasn’t The First Choice For Harry Potter

Although it may seem hard to believe, Daniel Radcliffe wasn’t the first choice for the iconic role of Harry Potter. Starring in the $7.7 billion franchise, Radcliffe had found his purpose to become a great actor.

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Liam Aiken in a still from A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Liam Aiken in a still from A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Also read: Harry Potter Fans Have Always Been Wrong About Daniel Radcliffe’s Scar in the Movies

Before the Harry Potter franchise, Liam Aiken, the American actor known for his role in Stepmom, was also chosen for the role of Harry Potter. In an interview with HuffPost, casting director Janet Hirshenson talked about the time another actor was chosen for the role. Hirshenson talked about a moment with another casting director who had heavily considered for the role. Liam Aiken the American actor was once considered for the iconic role of Potter.

He had to be rejected, however, since J.K. Rowling’s main rule for Harry Potter was that the actor should be British. Liam Aiken was an American actor, however, and hence, had to be rejected for the role.

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Robin Williams Was Also Rejected For The Harry Potter Franchise

Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter.
Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter.

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Robin Williams was an iconic actor and comedian known for his roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poet’s Society, and, Good Will Hunting. As per the reports, Williams was heavily interested in portraying the role of Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise. Sadly, the only British rule also applied to him as he had to be rejected.

“Robin [Williams] had called [Chris Columbus] because he really wanted to be in the movie, but it was a British-only edict, and once he said no to Robin, he wasn’t going to say yes to anybody else, that’s for sure. It couldn’t be.”

In the end, the lead role of Harry Potter went to British actor Daniel Radcliffe and the role of Hagrid went to Robbie Coltrane. The Harry Potter franchise is available stream on HBO Max.

Source: HuffPost

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Written by Visarg Acharya

Visarg Acharya joined FandomWire in 2022 as a Content Writer. Along with a penchant for writing, Visarg claims that words are the only true language made for him. Currently pursuing his B.Sc in Physics, the combination of Physics and Marvel make up for an interesting talk. Visarg Acharya has authored over 500 articles and reads books in his spare time along with an occasional series to accompany him.