Ever wondered what The Big Bang Theory would have been like with a whole new cast dynamic? The show almost had a major shakeup—not once but twice! While Sandra Bullock’s near-miss is already a sitcom legend, here’s a mind-bender: Selena Gomez was also eyed for a big role!
Sandra Bullock as Deborah “Debbie” Ocean in Ocean’s 8 | Warner Bros. Pictures
These casting news leaks show the interesting world of scheduling problems and ‘what if’ events that happen behind the scenes, showcasing that even the biggest shows can be changed by Hollywood fate.
Near Misses and Almost Cameos: The Celebrity What-Ifs of The Big Bang Theory
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building | Rhode Island Ave. Productions
The Big Bang Theory wasn’t just a sitcom powerhouse; it was a celebrity magnet! While the show boasted a ton of A-list cameos, there were also some near misses that might surprise you.
Remember Mayim Bialik‘s iconic Amy Farrah Fowler? Now, do you remember her sister? Well, Selena Gomez could have played the character of Amy’s sister! Producers, smitten by her self-proclaimed fandom (thanks, Instagram! ), considered her for the role. Sadly, scheduling conflicts put the kibosh on that potential laugh riot. Executive producer Steve Molaro said in an interview with TV Line, “It never worked out due to scheduling.”
Selena Gomez as Jessi Del Monte in Emilia Pérez | Why Not Productions
Sandra Bullock, another ‘what if,’ was the dream date for Kunal Nayyar‘s Raj at the Nobel Prize ceremony. Raj’s long-standing crush on Bullock made her the perfect choice, but a movie shoot stole her away. Luckily, Sarah Michelle Gellar swooped in to save the day (and Raj’s date night). Executive producer Steve Holland revealed in the TV Line interview:
“We were really excited about it, but we got a polite decline because she was shooting a movie and wasn’t available,”
That wasn’t the end of the dream casting. Imagine Howard Wolowitz having a famous rock star dad. The producers thought Simon Helberg (Howard) looked a lot like Ringo Starr, the famous drummer from The Beatles. It would have been funny if Ringo played Howard’s missing father as a guest star, but he politely turned it down.
The Big Bang Theory had a great cast and guests, but these behind-the-scenes stories remind us of the interesting ‘almost’ events that could have made the show we love what it is today. Who knows, maybe in a different sitcom universe, Selena is finding funny things about Sheldon, or Howard is getting some rock-and-roll parenting tips from Ringo.
Fans react to Selena Gomez’s Near Miss with The Big Bang Theory.
Selena Gomez as Mabel in Only Murders in the Building | Rhode Island Ave. Productions
Grieving nerds unite! The revelation that Selena Gomez almost joined The Big Bang Theory has fans feeling robbed. They’re left imagining what the sitcom’s alternate universe (where Gomez’s comedic timing met the geeky charm of the Pasadena crew) would’ve been like.
Awe Kisses you. Maybe catch the BigBang debunking theory lol jk
Big bang your not going to get so many decided reds and blues alone gonna be more uniform— Raziel (@AL_Wright_jr) October 13, 2022
nooo this would have been so good!
— lorna (@gracefullymeb) October 13, 2022
oh we lost big time
— kush (@13selenaskid) October 13, 2022
im sad she would have done so well
— n. (@elmalquererstan) October 12, 2022
NO WAY WE LOST 😔
— devyani (@servelikeselena) October 12, 2022
We were robbed😭😭😭
— h (@besidesSel) October 12, 2022
Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, The Big Bang Theory is an American television sitcom revolving around the life of four socially awkward friends, and an aspiring actress. The show ran for 12 seasons on CBS from September 24, 2007, to May 16, 2019.
Watch The Big Bang Theory on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
