The role of Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise was one of the most coveted in Hollywood at the time, attracting a number of big-name actresses who were eager to land the iconic part. Although Kristen Stewart ultimately secured the role and became a household name because of it, there was fierce competition. Over the years, several actresses have revealed that they auditioned for Bella Swan, some of whom were even initially considered for the role. Here’s a look at four actresses who were in the running:
- Emily Browning – The Australian actress, known for Sucker Punch and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, was among the top contenders. She later admitted she wasn’t too disappointed when she didn’t get the part, as she wasn’t sure she was the right fit for the role.
- Amanda Seyfried – The Mean Girls actress was reportedly one of the actresses on Stephenie Meyer’s radar. However, she didn’t land the role, and Kristen Stewart ultimately became the face of Bella Swan. Seyfried later went on to star in films like Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!, and although she has spoken about her near-miss with Twilight, she seems content with how things turned out.
- Kaya Scodelario – Best known for Skins and The Maze Runner franchise, Scodelario was also reportedly in the running for the role of Bella. She has expressed that, in hindsight, she’s glad she wasn’t cast, noting that she didn’t think she was ready for the pressure and intensity of such a massive role at the time.
- Shailene Woodley – The Big Little Lies star was another actress who auditioned for the role of Bella. She was reportedly Stephenie Meyer’s first choice at one point. However, Woodley eventually lost out to Kristen Stewart. Like Scodelario, Woodley has said that, while she was disappointed at the time, she’s grateful for how her career turned out and the roles she eventually landed.
Despite the strong competition, Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Bella Swan in Twilight became iconic, and the franchise continues to be one of the most influential of the early 2000s. While these actresses may not have secured the role, their careers have also flourished in other significant ways.
