Which Starlet Almost Had Rachel McAdams’ Role in ‘The Notebook’?

Imagine what life would be like if The Notebook starred anyone other than Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Try to picture what would it have been like if it was Ryan Gosling and some other actress. Would Ryan and Rachel have gotten together otherwise? Would the chemistry onscreen between said other actress and Ry-Gos have been completely different? What if the actress who played Allie in the beloved 2004 film was… Jessica Biel?

The actress-slash-Justin Timberlake‘s famous lady friend reveals to ELLE magazine that she was highly considered for the epic love story film – a role that she desperately wanted, but was the one that got away.

Photo Source: ELLE Magazine

“That’s one that I wanted so badly,” Jessica admits. “I was in the middle of shooting Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I auditioned with Ryan Gosling in my trailer–covered in blood. [Director] Nick Cassavetes put me through the wringer in an interesting, excitingly creative way. But there’s a million that get away. We’re gluttons for punishment. It’s just rejection.”

Awww, it’s all good Jessica! You win some, you lose some. And it’s not as if Jessica’s career went downhill from there: since The Notebook came out, she’s starred in movies such as I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Valentine’s Day and The A-Team.

She will also star in the upcoming flicks the star-studded rom-com New Year’s Eve, the drama The Tall One, and Playing the Field with Gerard Butler.

Do you think Jessica Biel would have done a better job than Rachel McAdams in The Notebook, or are you glad Jessica didn’t get the part? What’s something you wanted badly but didn’t get?