Josh Peck Almost Played Edward Cullen in ‘Twilight’

Josh Peck almost played Edward Cullen in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight films.

Taylor Lautner, who stars opposite Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in the franchise based on Meyer’s best-selling book series, guest starred on Peck’s podcast, Good Guys, during its Oct. 23 episode. While speaking with the Twilight star, the Drake & Josh star recalled auditioning for the iconic role that eventually went to Pattinson in 2006.

“They’re like, ‘Audition for this movie, Twilight, it’s based on a book and it’s going to be great,’” said the Oppenheimer actor. “So I send in my tape for Edward. A month later, I’m with my manager, and he goes, ‘It’s down to you and three guys. You’re close.’”

It was news to Lautner, who seemingly had no idea Peck had auditioned for the role. The How I Met Your Father actor admitted he, too, was surprised he made it as far as he did in the process.

“I’m like, ‘Really?’ I hadn’t even had a tummy tuck yet,” he continued. “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 — but I remember then seeing R-Patz playing this part I’m like, ‘In what fucking world were they like, ‘OK, here’s what we’re thinking: Chris Hemsworth or Stanely Tucci?’ Like, what the fuck? Impossible. Impossible! So, we almost worked together.”

Peck isn’t the only actor to recently recount auditioning for Twilight. During an appearance on The Rewatchables podcast, Jennifer Lawrence revealed she went out for the role of Bella Swan and was “immediately” turned down for it. She didn’t even get a callback, and Stewart eventually got the role, but Lawrence is glad that was the case.

“My life would’ve been totally different,” the No Hard Feelings actress said. “I mean, the work is still the same because I felt similar when I was doing Hunger Games. I have to churn out movies in between so that I’m not only known for this franchise. I was still in a franchise, so I was still trying to counteract the franchise-ness, and I would still be doing that if I was in Twilight.”