Jensen Ackles' Auditions - Actor Reveals 3 Roles He Didn't Book & a Huge Part He Never Auditioned For (Despite Rumors That He Did)

Jensen Ackles is a fan-favorite actor in Hollywood with some critically acclaimed projects under his belt.

The 46-year-old is best known for his portrayal of Dean Winchester on Supernatural, a hit series that kept him on TV screens for 15 years. Fans will also recognize him as Soldier Boy from The Boys and Russell Shaw on Tracker.

While he’s played some very recognizable roles, like any other actor, there are also parts that Jensen‘s auditioned for but didn’t land.

Aug 31, 2024 at 9:09 pm
By JJ Staff

Jensen Ackles’ Auditions – Actor Reveals 3 Roles He Didn’t Book & a Huge Part He Never Auditioned For (Despite Rumors That He Did)

Jensen Ackles' Auditions - Actor Reveals 3 Roles He Didn't Book & a Huge Part He Never Auditioned For (Despite Rumors That He Did)

Jensen Ackles is a fan-favorite actor in Hollywood with some critically acclaimed projects under his belt.

The 46-year-old is best known for his portrayal of Dean Winchester on Supernatural, a hit series that kept him on TV screens for 15 years. Fans will also recognize him as Soldier Boy from The Boys and Russell Shaw on Tracker.

While he’s played some very recognizable roles, like any other actor, there are also parts that Jensen‘s auditioned for but didn’t land.

Over the years, he’s revealed three iconic roles that he was in the running to land. That includes the revelation that he was the second choice to play one of the most iconic superheroes of all time.

The actor also addressed rumors that he was in the running to play a beloved character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Deadpool poster

Deadpool – 2016′s Deadpool

Ryan Reynolds famously played Marvel’s iconic Merc with a Mouth in 2016′s Deadpool, and he’s suited up twice more since, most recently to formally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Deadpool & Wolverine.

However, it turns out that Jensen had been in talks for the role, and things didn’t work out.

“There was definitely a movie that I was very much in talks about,” Jensen said while attending a Supernatural event, confirming that it was Deadpool. “I wasn’t available, so the train just kind of stopped there. But, had I been available, I would’ve had to, you know, jump through the studio hoops and jump through the, you know, producer hoops and stuff.”

He continued, saying, “It was probably a good thing because my ex-girlfriend [Morena Baccarin, who played Deadpool’s love interest] was on there and so that probably would have been awkward, so it probably worked out for the best. I think that whole cast was amazing. I probably would’ve messed that up for a lot of people had I been a part of it, so probably best I didn’t. But that would’ve been cool.”

Jensen added that Deadpool is a movie that he “really, really” likes, and he’s reminded of how much fun it could have been to play the character every time he watches it.
Supernatural poster

Sam Winchester – Supernatural

Jensen famously played Dean Winchester in Supernatural, a hit series that ran for 15 seasons. However, it turns out that he was actually brought in to audition for what would ultimately become Jared Padalecki‘s role – Sam Winchester.

During a podcast appearance in 2022, Jensen recalled heading in for his audition and reading to play the other Winchester brother.

“Then at the end I was like, ‘Guys, I really appreciate it but is there any way I could read the other guy for you?’” he said. “They both looked at each other and laughed. And they were like, ‘You don’t have to.’ Then that was it.”
Smallville poster
Clark Kent – Smallville

Jensen revealed that he came very close to playing Superman, one of the most iconic superheroes of all time in the 2001 show Smallville.

“I auditioned for the role of Clark Kent on Smallville,” he said back in 2007 It got down to Tom [Welling] and me, and they ultimately went for Tom, which was the right decision.”

He continued, recalling, “Two seasons later, they called and said, ‘We’ve been thinking about you,’ and pitched me the role of Lana’s boyfriend. I said, ‘Yeah, that sounds cool.’”

He wound up playing the character Jason Teague and appeared in 22 episodes.
Captain America: The First Avenger poster

Captain America – 2011′s Captain America: The First Avenger UNTRUE

Jensen has long been rumored to be in the running to carry Captain America’s iconic shield in the MCU. Of course, the role ultimately went to Chris Evans.

In 2022, Jensen confirmed that the rumors about him auditioning weren’t true.

“I don’t necessarily know, was that an auditioning kind of a thing? I feel like they just met with people on that,” he said, adding, “I was not available, anyway. So, I don’t think they were going to work around my schedule. Doesn’t seem like a kind of property that would do that.”

He continued, saying, “I would’ve loved to have been in the mix on that because Chris [Evans] and I used to go against each other for quite a bit on a lot of different things back in the day. But, unfortunately, I didn’t get to fight him on that one.”

The actor noted that he was playing a version of Cap as Soldier Boy in The Boys. However, it was “as if Captain America gave up on super-heroism and was just your drunk and inappropriate uncle.”
Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye
One final role that Jensen is rumored to have been up for is Hawkeye. Fans know that Jeremy Renner made his debut as the arrow-slinging Avenger alongside Chris Hemsworth in 2011′s Thor.

Jensen has never directly commented on the casting rumors, so it is unclear if this one is true or not. We’ll update you if we ever learn for sure.