Liam Aiken was turned down for the role of Harry Potter.

Jonathan Demme was considered to direct and even pitched his ideas to WB on how would direct first Harry Potter movie.

Cody Linley auditioned to play Harry Potter but was turned down. He was in the 5th grade at that time.

McGoohan turned down Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films for health reasons.

Several sources claimed that Rosie O'Donnell might play Mrs. Weasley. One report said that O'Donnell offered to play the role for free, but the producers turned her down because they wanted an all British cast.

Was considered to play the lead role (when Steven Speilberg was considered to direct) but was turned down as JK Rowling wanted a british actor to play the role. At the end neither he or Steven Speilberg got a part in the movie.

Turned down Snape because he wanted to be in Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes.

Shyamalan says he turned down the offer to direct the first "Potter" movie because of being busy on his own "Unbreakable."

Spielberg was considered to direct the Harry Potter series, but was reportedly rejected by Rowling who kept close control of the film.

Thewlis auditioned for the part of Professor Quirrell in the first film, but instead got cast as Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.