Interesting Buffy Casting Info

[Willow Rosenberg]

There have been some interesting casting stories in the Buffyverse. Sarah Michelle Gellar originally had the part of Cordelia before being chosen for Buffy. Bianca Lawson, who eventually played Kendra, was then cast as Cordelia but turned it down (read more about this here). Charisma Carpenter originally auditioned for the role of Buffy but was cast as Cordelia instead.

David Boreanaz was the last person to be cast for Buffy. Marcia Schulman, the casting director for Buffy at the time, was having problems finding the right guy. She auditioned hundreds of men but eventually a friend of hers saw David walking his dog and called her, telling her he'd found the perfect 'Angel'. When David stepped into Marcia's office (the day before filming was due to start) she wrote "he is the guy" in her notepad.

Danny Strong went for the role of Xander. He got a small part in the original pilot, and was brought back time and again as Jonathan. Willow was originally played by Riff Regan (including in the pilot) but was recast as Alyson Hannigan. Christian Kane, who plays Lindsay, in the spin-off series Angel auditioned for the role of Riley Finn.


Source

 

[XxSlayerxX]

There was article on this linked by whedonesque.com.It said that the reason why Willow was replaced, was because the old Will, was fat, and an average looking person.They then repleaced her with model body Aly.You can find the full article at whedonesque.The article, explains why they replaced the people, and how things didn't work out.I read the article, and it said that darla was there since the beginning,She played darla, both in the unaired pilot, and the pilot.She originally auditioned for buffy, but lost the part for smg.this is the second role she lost to smg.the article explains the other role she lost to smg.I also found this other article, also linked by whedonesque, where it interviews juliet and james.They explain how they got the part.

 

[Faith]

Christian Kane, who plays Lindsay, in the spin-off series Angel auditioned for the role of Riley Finn.

So glad that they saw sense and didn't cast him, he had a much better character in Lindsey, evil lawyer suits him!

 

[Xander]

There was article on this linked by whedonesque.com.It said that the reason why Willow was replaced, was because the old Will, was fat, and an average looking person.They then repleaced her with model body Aly.

I think thats a load of cra-hmm because they never showed that side of Aly, okay yes Aly looks great but when was the first time we saw her at all sexually? In Homecoming I think in that dress. I think I've heard the original girl dropped out, or maybe they realised that she didn't fit in well.

 

[Faith]

I heard that she was re-cast as she didn't fit. And that because Willow was to be considered a geek they didn't want to show her in the traditional way that geeks and unpopular people are on tv.

I read this way back in the beginning so can't really find a source, just my take on it.

 

[nerd4hire]

Here's the problem with not actually linking to the original story, but instead saying, "I saw a story concerning such and such".

I also read something at whedonesque concerning the original Willow's weight problem, but it wasn't an article, it was a comment on an article from a Whedonesque board member.

You see the problem right? It's like reading some member at Buffy board's opinion and quoting it as news.

The original Willow (what was her name Bif Regan, or something like that?) may actually have had a weight problem, and that may have been a concern to the producers, but unless you offer an actual link to a trustworthy source who has personal knowledge of the casting process, the information means nothing.

Speaking of rumours from people who have seen the pilot though, I heard the original actress for Willow simply wasn't that good.

 

[slayerpower]

Both Julie Benz (Darla) and Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy) tried out for Buffy. Nathan Fillon (Caleb) tried out for Angel.

 

[Willow Rosenberg]

Also, Benz and Gellar also both went out for the part of Kendall Hart on All My Children. The part was awarded to SMG.