We all know that Robert Pattinson joined Twilight back in 2007 to play Bella’s dreamy vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Here’s what you may not know- Pattinson wasn’t the only one considered for Edward Cullen. In fact, Josh Peck claims he was nearly cast as the male lead.
Who would have thought that Josh Peck could have been the lucky actor to give Bella those smoldering looks and show off those pecks? Apparently, according to Bustle, the Drake and Josh star spoke on his own podcast Great Guys to Twilight star Taylor Lautner that the two of them almost became co-stars.
“I remember it’s like 2006? 7?” Peck said to Lautner. “They’re like, ‘Audition for this movie, Twilight, it’s based on a book, it’s going to be great.’ So I send in my tape, for Edward.”
Peck continued to say that a month later, he got a call from his manager. He revealed it was between the television star and three other men. The news came as quite a shock to the Nickelodeon star about being in the running to star in what would become a major franchise.
“I’m like, ‘Really?’” said Peck. “I hadn’t even had a tummy tuck yet. I’m like, ‘There’s no way. He’s got to be so shirtless, it’s not going to happen.’ Spoiler alert—didn’t get it.”
Taylor Lautner was just as shocked about this audition revelation. He thought it was “amazing” he almost got the chance to play his rival for Bella’s affections.
Who Else Was Nearly Cast to Play Edward Cullen?
Other than Robert Pattison and Josh Peck, there were other actors in line to play the vampire. The list included Scott Eastwood, Dustin Milligan, and Dave Franco, who auditioned. Then, there were other men who auditioned for Edward and got other roles in the series. Jamie Campbell Bower eventually played Volturi member Caius, and Michael Welch got to play Bella’s friend Mike Newton.
Contrary to what Josh Peck said, though, E! has a different story. In June, they revealed the decision was actually between four actors who weren’t Peck. The final four were Robert Pattinson, Shiloh Fernandez, Ben Barnes, and Jackson Rathbone, who ended up playing Edward’s foster sibling Jasper. Everything would come down to the final screen test with Kristen Stewart. While speaking to The New Yorker in 2021, the female lead of the series revealed with a mock swoon she knew from the start Pattinson was the right choice. Looks like it wasn’t in the cards for The Amanda Show actor to play the brooding teen vampire.
