The world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side elite is full of secrets and intrigues, as fans of the hit TV show “Gossip Girl” know all too well. While many associate Serena van der Woodsen with the effervescent Blake Lively, it’s a lesser-known secret that this iconic role nearly slipped into the hands of another up-and-coming Hollywood sensation. Could you imagine a different face donning those designer outfits and walking the steps of the Met?
The Fan-Powered Casting of Blake Lively
Gossip Girl, inspired by Cecily von Ziegesar’s bestselling novels, garnered significant attention before its pilot episode even aired. The anticipation, combined with the success of Lively’s portrayal of Bridget in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” led fans to voice their ideal Serena pick. Blake Lively’s subsequent interview with Collider unveiled that it was the fans’ vocal push which played an integral role in swaying the decision of Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the show’s creators. Instead of relying on an exhaustive casting process, they tapped into the fandom’s preference, a decision that would cement “Gossip Girl” into television history.
The Jennifer Lawrence Contender
The casting room’s silver lining almost had a “Silver Linings Playbook” twist. Before rising to Hollywood’s A-list, Jennifer Lawrence had her sights set on the Upper East Side. Schwartz dropped this bombshell during Gossip Girl’s tenth-anniversary interview, revealing that a young, eager-to-prove Lawrence had auditioned for Serena. Given the books’ acclaim, this revelation isn’t entirely shocking. Considering Lawrence’s undeniable talent, it’s intriguing to imagine her interpretation of Serena, matching both in age and charisma during the show’s debut season.
The Alternate Timeline: Lawrence as Serena
While Lively was a perfect fit for Serena, casting Lawrence would have created a ripple effect on Hollywood’s landscape. With Lawrence at the helm of “Gossip Girl,” we might have missed her indelible performance in “Winter’s Bone,” which ultimately paved the way for her casting as Katniss in “The Hunger Games.” Had this twist of fate transpired, a different starlet might have been the face of the dystopian series, altering Hollywood’s constellation of stars.
Moreover, “The Hunger Games” wasn’t just another role for Lawrence – it was a transformative chapter in her career. It was this franchise that catapulted her to cinematic stardom, leading to her Oscar-winning act in “Silver Linings Playbook.” While Lively transitioned smoothly into prominent film roles, Lawrence’s trajectory might have taken a different, possibly less stellar path.
The Hollywood “What If?”
Blake Lively and Jennifer Lawrence, two beacons of Hollywood, each carved their unique niches, both thriving in their selected paths. As fans, we received the best of both worlds – Lively’s Serena and Lawrence’s Katniss. However, the “what if” lingers. Had Lawrence become Serena, it wouldn’t just have been her filmography that changed. The entire tapestry of modern Hollywood might have looked slightly different, reminding us of the delicate interplay of choices and fate in the world of entertainment.
