A lot of major stars nearly appeared alongside Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter movies.

But it turns out many of the Hollywood A-listers who appear in the popular film series were not first choice for the parts, according to The Sun.

We were shocked to hear that the late Robin Williams was actually Warner Bros’ top pick to play Hagrid, according to casting director Janet Hirshenson.

The reason he eventually lost out to Scot Robbie Coltrane was author JK Rowling’s insistence that all her characters were played on screen by UK actors.

Williams wasn’t the only star lined up for a role in the Potter films to end up disappointed.

Here we look at nine other actors who narrowly missed out on being part of the much-loved Hogwarts clan.

TIM ROTH NEARLY PLAYED SNAPE

Apparently, Pulp Fiction star Tim turned down the part of potions master Severus Snape in 2001, despite his children being eager for him to take it.

Instead he chose the role of General Thade in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes as he argued “the idea of being an ape was too good”. Whatever floats your boat.

It ended up going to the late Alan Rickman, who sadly passed away last year.

Tim Roth turned down the role of Snape.Source:AP

Alan Rickman eventually got the part.Source:AP

TILDA SWINTON NEARLY PLAYED PROFESSOR TRELAWNEY

Her acting CV certainly suits the divination teacher’s eccentricity and alternative sense of style, but it’s hard to imagine Tilda Swinton in the place of Emma Thompson.

Nevertheless, she would have played her had it not been for conflicting filming schedules, according to an interview she gave in 2003 with CBBC’s Newsround.

Tilda Swinton was too busy to take on the Trelawney role.Source:Getty Images

Emma Thompson as Professor Trelawney.Source:Supplied

BOB HOSKINS NEARLY PLAYED HORACE SLUGHORN

We may never have known the Who Framed Roger Rabbit? star was lined up for the role of potions master Professor Horace Slughorn, had he not brought it up while appearing on Jonathon Ross — alongside Jim Broadbent, who ended up playing him.

That’s got to be an awkward conversation …

Bob Hoskins just missed out.Source:AP

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and Jim Broadbent (Horace Slughorn).Source:Supplied

NAOMI WATTS NEARLY PLAYED NARCISSA MALFOY

Despite having lived in Australia, Naomi would have still been a viable choice for Rowling as she was born and raised in Kent.

In the end though, the role of Draco Malfoy’s mum went to Helen McCrory.

Apparently Naomi’s management turned down the part before she even knew about it. Good decision? We’re not so sure.

Naomi Watts would have been great as Draco Malfoy’s mum.Source:Getty Images

HUGH GRANT NEARLY PLAYED GILDEROY LOCKHART

He’s got that smooth-talking persona and floppy hair that would have suited Gilderoy, but it wasn’t to be for Hugh.

Yet again it was a clash of filming schedules that stood in the way of him securing a place at Hogwarts.

Hugh Grant could have been the narcissistic Gilderoy Lockhart.Source:Getty Images

The role ended up going to Kenneth Branagh.Source:News Limited

This story originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission.