The Shocking 'What If': Jason Momoa and Joe Manganiello Almost Played Alaric Saltzman in The Vampire Diaries

You know, it’s always fascinating to peek behind the curtain of our favorite shows, isn't it? To hear about those "almost" moments that could have completely altered the landscape of pop culture as we know it. Well, get ready for a truly jaw-dropping revelation concerning one of The CW's most beloved supernatural dramas, The Vampire Diaries. Brace yourselves: none other than Jason Momoa and Joe Manganiello, two absolute titans of action and fantasy, both read for the role of the beloved history teacher and vampire hunter, Alaric Saltzman.

Yes, you read that correctly! It’s almost impossible to picture, isn't it? The news, a delightful bombshell for fans, came straight from the horse's mouth – or rather, from the brilliant mind of co-creator and showrunner Julie Plec herself. She recently shared this incredible tidbit during a candid chat on the "Candice and Kayla: Directionally Challenged" podcast, a real treasure trove for behind-the-scenes stories from the show. Can you even begin to imagine a world where Khal Drogo or Alcide Herveaux was roaming the halls of Mystic Falls High as Alaric?

The role, of course, ultimately went to the fantastic Matt Davis, who, let's be honest, brought a unique blend of world-weariness, vulnerability, and eventual badassery to the character that fans absolutely adored. He made Alaric feel grounded, like a regular guy thrown into an extraordinary, dangerous world. And that, it turns out, was precisely what Plec and her team were looking for at the time. She admitted that while Momoa and Manganiello were undeniably captivating, they possessed a certain... undeniable star power and physical presence that perhaps didn't quite align with the initial vision of Alaric as a somewhat unassuming history teacher.

Plec elaborated, explaining that both actors, with their imposing statures and natural charisma, perhaps felt a little "too big" for the part as it was originally conceived. It's funny, isn't it, how a casting director's vision for a character can be so specific? They needed someone who could believably play a schoolteacher who gradually evolves into something much more formidable, rather than starting off as an immediate alpha. Matt Davis, in his understated brilliance, delivered that journey beautifully.

Thinking about it, the ripple effects of such a different casting choice would have been immense! Just imagine the different dynamics, the altered chemistry, the sheer energy these two powerhouses would have brought to the show. It’s wild to ponder. But hey, things certainly worked out for everyone involved, didn't they? Joe Manganiello, of course, went on to become the iconic werewolf Alcide Herveaux in HBO's equally beloved vampire saga, True Blood, solidifying his status in the supernatural genre.

And Jason Momoa? Well, his career trajectory is nothing short of legendary. From his unforgettable turn as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones to his star-making role as Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe, he’s become a global superstar. It just goes to show that sometimes, the "right" role comes along at the "right" time, even if it’s not the one you originally auditioned for. The landscape of Mystic Falls might have looked entirely different, but thankfully, we got the Alaric we knew and loved, and Momoa and Manganiello found their own spectacular paths to stardom.