- Kristen Stewart, Panic Room, 2001. The thriller’s mother and child were Nicole Kidman and Panettiere. Until (a) director David Fincher dropped the “irritating” Panettiere and (b) Kidman quit after 18 days due to her Moulin Rouge knee injury. Jodie Foster and Stewart became the new mother and daughter stuck in the titular space.
- Julianne Hough, Footloose, 2010, As the lead role changed from Zac Efron to Kenny Wormald, so did his main squeeze – from Heroes’ Hayden, Amanda Bynes and Miley Cyrus to the fast-rising blonde from Utah… and Cher’s first musical (honestly!), Burlesque.
- Samantha Barks, Les Misérables, 2012. Many were called – Panettiere, the Heroes TV star, Lucy Hale, Scarlett Johansson, Lea Michele, Taylor Swift, Evan Rachel Wood – before producer Cameron Mackintosh went on the Manchester stage of her Oliver! Gig to announce Samantha had won the role of Eponine. “Most incredible moment of my life!!!!”
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls: 3