Kate Beckinsale's Role in 'Serendipity' Was Almost Played By This 'Friends' Star

Kate Beckinsale famously played the role of Sara in 2001′s Serendipity.

The movie focused on 20-somethings Jonathan (John Cusack) meets Sara. He finds it love at first sight, but Sara believes in destiny.

After 10 years the two — with 3,000 miles between them — must decide if fate wants them to be together again. When love feels like magic, it is called destiny; when destiny has a sense of humor, it is serendipity.

In a new interview, director Peter Chelsom is opening up about the other actresses who were also up for the role, too.

Click inside to see which star it was!

Jennifer Aniston AND Carla Gugino

In his interview with Insider, Peter revealed that Jennifer Aniston came in for a good faith meeting with the team.

“I distinctly remember Jennifer Aniston coming in to meet us,” he shared. “I remember when she came in, she said, ‘I do a romantic comedy once a week,’ her being on Friends at the time. So, she clearly had other things on her plate and it was her decision not to do it.”

Another actress who came “extremely close” was Spy Kids star Carla Gugino.

“Her audition was spectacular,” Peter recalled. “I ended up casting her in my movie years later, The Space Between Us.”

This is just one of the cool casting stories that was revealed this week. Check out another one here!