Stranger Things is unfortunately heading towards its end, with its last season set to premiere potentially by 2025. Starring the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, and others, the Netflix series has become an instant hit. While the show’s storyline has earned it its popularity, its impeccable ensemble cast is to credit for its critical fame and accolades.
Since it is nearing its end, it would be hard to imagine the actors portraying different characters, for they seem to have become synonymous with their respective Stranger Things roles. However, just like Noah Schnapp, who originally auditioned for the role of Mike Wheeler before getting cast as his breakout role of Will Byers, multiple other actors originally auditioned for different Stranger Things roles.
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Here are 5 actors who, like Schnapp, had auditioned for different roles but later ended up portraying their respective perfect roles:
5. Joe Keery
The actor and musician Joe Keery is hard to imagine as playing anyone else than Steve Harrington, the high-school bully slash heartthrob but a wonderful ‘babysitter’. However, the actor had originally auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers in the Stranger Things. Fortunately for him, he ended up playing Harrington, which turned out to be the perfect role for him.
4. Sean Astin
Sean Astin is a wonderful actor who appears to be even more wonderful when he starred as Bob Newby in Stranger Things. His endearing performance as the brave and selfless boyfriend of Joyce Byers was a standout in the whole series. However, the actor had originally wanted to portray the smart and cunning investigator Murray Bauman in the series. However, his run in the series was short-lived as his character ended up dying a brutal death in Season 2.
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3. Eduardo Franco
Eduardo Franco made his first appearance in Stranger Things in Season 4 of the hit Netflix series. Portraying the character of Argyle, he is one of the main characters of the season and also the best friend of Jonathan Byers. However, before being cast as the pizza delivery guy, Franco originally had auditioned for the role of charming leader of the Dungeons and Dragons club of Hawkins High School, Eddie Munson. Well, each role went to the perfect person, and it’s now hard to imagine Stranger Things without Franco’s Argyle.
2. Robert Englund
It is impossible to imagine Robert Englund as anyone else than Victor Creel, the wrongly imprisoned World War II veteran who was alleged to have committed the gruesome murder of his family. After a failed suicide attempt, Creel ended up being permanently blind and was masterfully portrayed by the Horror Legend Englund. However, the actor revealed that he had originally auditioned for an unrevealed role in Season 3 since he was so fond of the show. Well, everything happens for a reason and his Season 3 rejected ended up with him cast as Creel in Season 4.
1. Gaten Matarazzo
Among the main characters of Stranger Things, Gaten Matarazzo shines in the role of Dustin Henderson. Portraying the close friend of numerous other crucial characters, Matarazzo’s charm resonates with the audience, contributing to the show’s immense popularity. However, the actor had never auditioned for Dustin but was asked to audition for Mike. Later when Finn Wolfhard was cast as Mike, Matarazzo was asked to read the lines for Lucas, but eventually ended up playing Dustin.
Stranger Things can be streamed on Netflix.
