For any actor or actress, being part of a successful movie franchise is more than just a dream; it can potentially launch a person’s career into superstardom. It’s a clear marker of success and recognition in the competitive entertainment industry.
Recently, American-Irish actress Saoirse Ronan opened up about one of the most impactful losses throughout her career, which was missing out on the role of Luna Lovegood in the iconic “Harry Potter” series. The actress auditioned for the part in the fifth instalment back in 2007 but didn’t land the role. Here’s what she shared:

In a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Saoirse revealed that losing the role of Luna Lovegood, which was eventually played by Evanna Lynch, left a lasting impact on her. “I didn’t say no to the offer; I just didn’t get the part. I lost, again. It’s a running theme for me,” said the actress. The 30-year-old added that many Irish actors were auditioning for the role, and she admitted that she had a feeling she wouldn’t get the part from the beginning.
“I was too young,” she explained the possible reason. The brilliant performer also shared that she had the opportunity to read a scene that made it into the final film, which she found fascinating. Although the “Little Women” star missed her chance to board the Hogwarts Express, Saoirse’s career soared with her Oscar-nominated performance in “Atonement” the same year the fifth film of “Harry Potter” was released.
In another interview, Saoirse addressed the rumours about her being considered for the role of Yelena Belova in “Black Widow.” When asked if she was offered the role, she kept her response brief, saying, “I don’t know.” She went on to admit, “I can’t see myself doing Marvel. I would prefer to do Bond.” Despite her hesitation toward joining the MCU, the Irish actress expressed interest in starring in a major franchise or tentpole film at some point in the future.
Check out the full interview videos or skip to 4:40 to hear her thoughts on losing the Luna Lovegood role and 39:04 for her take on being a part of a Marvel movie.


Can you imagine Saoirse in both movies?
Sources: Entertainment Weekly (1)(2)
Alia contributed to this article.