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\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Robert Pattinson<\/strong><\/a> had already established himself as an emerging talent in Hollywood with his portrayal of Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter<\/strong><\/a><\/em> franchise before he was cast as Edward Cullen in Twilight<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. That turned him into a mega-star. <\/p>\n He played the lead, sparkling vampire in the blockbuster adaptations of author Stephenie Meyer<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s beloved novels. However, we have since learned that he faced some stiff competition to book his starring role alongside Kristen Stewart<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Thousands of actors auditioned for the role, but a much smaller list of frontrunners and A-listers who were considered has been revealed. It includes a Schitt\u2019s Creek<\/em> star, several actors who booked other roles in Twilight <\/em>and someone who admitted that they later regretted their audition. <\/p>\n It also includes Stephenie<\/strong>\u2018s first choice for Edward, who only learned that he was in the running years after the fact!<\/p>\n Who all was up for the star-making role? We pulled together a handy list and everything the actors have said about their auditions. <\/p>\n Scroll through the slideshow to see all of Robert Pattinson\u2019s biggest competition for the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n