5 Roles Written For One Specific Actor & 5 That Were Difficult to Cast

#5: Written For: Laura Linney

Sarah, Love Actually (2003)

She may not have had the top billing in this all-star ensemble cast, but her role was still carved out with her in mind. When thinking of someone to fulfill the part of Sarah - a woman struggling with an unrequited attraction - in Love Actually, director Richard Curtis only had one parameter in mind. He wanted someone similar to Laura Linney, but was having trouble finding someone like her. This eventually prompted his then-girlfriend to suggest he go straight to the source. That was all the convincing he needed. He sent her a letter asking her to join the production, to which she excitedly agreed. After seeing her performance, its obvious to us why he had her in mind all along.

#5: Hard to Cast: Harry Potter

The Harry Potter franchise (2001-11)

Daniel Radcliffe is so iconic in this role that its hard to imagine anyone else taking it on. The titular character in the Harry Potter franchise was a dream role for countless child actors. Hundreds tried out, including now-household names like Nicholas Hoult. There were also multiple American actors up for the part as well, like Haley Joel Osment and Liam Aiken. However, J.K. Rowling was strict about only wanting British or Irish actors to be cast. After seven months, it seemed they would never be able to find their Harryuntil the director saw Daniel Radcliffe in David Copperfield. After managing to convince his parents to let him audition, it became crystal-clear that he was the perfect choice for the Boy Who Lived.

#4: Written For: Sandra Hüller

Sandra Voyt, Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

Justine Triet wanted her for this so much that she even named the part after her. After working together on the 2019 production Sybil, the director knew she had found something special in Sandra Hüller. She wrote her 2023 film Anatomy of a Fall with her in mind. In fact, she was so set on the casting that had Hüller said no, the project may have never come to fruition. Luckily, the actress loved the script, and immediately signed on. She played the eponymous role of Sandra, a widow being accused of killing her husband. Immediately, Triets vision was proven to be accurate, as Hüller effortlessly took on the complexities of the character and gave one of the most compelling performances of that year.

#4: Hard to Cast: Aragorn

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)

When this epic fantasy was being produced, there were several options considered for multiple characters. The part that proved the hardest to find was Aragorn, a human ranger and the eventual heir to the throne of Gondor. Academy Awards winners Daniel Day-Lewis and Nicolas Cage were sent offers, but both turned it down. Stuart Townsend was cast, but was recast after filming had begun due to his younger age. It was then bounced to Russell Crowe, who also declined, leading them to ask Day-Lewis a second time. Viggo Mortensen was offered the role after being seen in a play, but even he almost declined it until his son, a fan of the novel, changed his mind at the last second. He accepted the offer, and the rest is history.

#3: Written For: Bill Murray

Bob Harris, Lost in Translation (2003)

Some directors will do whatever it takes to fulfill their vision. When Sofia Coppola began writing Lost in Translation, she had only one actor in mind for Bob Harris; Bill Murray. Even with her connections in Hollywood, it wouldnt be an easy task. The actor has been known to be elusive when he wants to be, making it difficult for her to offer him the part. She was determined to have him on the project, and so she sent him a barrage of letters and called his potential client number multiple times. She even had Murrays friends reach out to him, to no avail. After a year of failed attempts, he finally agreed to meet with her, and soon after said yes to her offer.

#3: Hard to Cast: Pennywise

It franchise (2017-)

Finding someone to fill the likes of Tim Currys shoes is no easy task. The It reboot struggled to find the perfect fit for the role of Pennywise the dancing clown. When Cary Fukunaga temporarily took the directorial reins in 2012, he was sure it would go to then up-and-comer Will Poulter. Unfortunately, Fukunaga dropped the project in 2015. Around the same time, Poulter revealed that he had scheduling conflicts. This left the new director, Andy Muschetti, with the difficult job of finding their new villain. A variety of actors were considered, from Hugo Weaving to Tilda Swinton. A year later, Bill Skarsgård was confirmed to have the part, and now, its hard to imagine anyone else wearing that iconic makeup.

#2: Written For: Samuel L. Jackson

Nick Fury, The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2012-)

Forget just being written for himhe was the inspiration behind the characters modern-day design. Nick Fury had a different look in his 1960s debut, notably being a white guy with a love of cigars, but the early-2000s Ultimate Universe changed that completely. The concept for his updated look had been designed around Samuel L. Jackson, and it quickly became canon. The actor not only knew hed inadvertently become the face of S.H.I.E.L.D., he even approved of the choice. When it came time to adapt the comics for the silver screen, it only made sense to ask the man behind the likeness. He was signed on for a nine-movie deal, and since then has portrayed him in film and TV for over fifteen years.

#2: Hard to Cast: Freddie Mercury

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Casting someone to play a musical legend is no easy task. Besides being incredibly talented, Freddie Mercury had a very magnetic presence thats hard to match. When Bohemian Rhapsody was first conceptualized in 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen was chosen to play the star. He backed out in 2013, due to him wanting to take the story in a different direction. That left them without a frontman, and the search for a replacement began. That same year, Ben Whishaw was set to sign on, but he ended up pulling out a year later after having issues with the script. The project remained in limbo for years, until Rami Malek stepped up to the plate in late 2016, and things finally began to fall into place.

#1: Written for: Robin Williams

Genie, Aladdin (1992)

There are some casting decisions that are pure gold from the very beginning. Having Robin Williams play an eccentric and hilarious genie in Aladdin is among the cream of the crop. The part was written with the comedian in mind, particularly his unique sense of humor and signature mannerisms. As soon as they got him in the studio, they immediately knew they had made the right choice. The actor improvised to his hearts content, adding in so many jokes that one scene ended up being twenty minutes long. He gave them hours of content to use, and the results speak for itself. Its the very essence of Williams comedic talents bottled into a single character, and just like the Genie himself, its pure magic.

#1: Hard to Cast: Every Role

Triple Frontier (2019)

J.C. Chandor had trouble finding actors to sign onto his 2019 heist movie, with the issues beginning almost a decade beforehand. In 2010, it seemed like Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, and Will Smith were set to star. By 2017, they pulled out, and were replaced with Channing Tatum, Tom Hardy, and Mahershala Ali. Paramount then dropped the film, which led to Tatum and Hardy walking, and the Affleck brothers being considered. Ben briefly dropped the project, and his slot nearly went to Mark Wahlberg. At the same time, Ali was forced to withdraw due to the delays. Affleck returned to the cast in 2018, and by then, they had finally managed to lock down the other five lead roles as well. Did you manage to keep track of all that?

Have any of your favorite actors had a role written just for them? Let us know in the comments below!