Horror legend Robert Englund originally auditioned for another role in Stranger Things before landing the character of Victor Creel in the new series, and admitted he had felt 'disappointed' not to land the earlier gig.
Englund, 75, features in the new season as Creel, a 'disturbed and intimidating' Hawkins resident who was imprisoned in a psychiatric hospital for a gruesome murder in the 1950s.
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However, the actor has revealed that the creepy character wasn’t actually the first Stranger Things role he'd tried for, having previously auditioned for a role in season three.
Speaking to TooFab, he said: "I had been up for a role in season three that I didn't get and I was disappointed, because I love the show.
"I began as a huge fan of Millie Bobby Brown and I'm a big fan of David Harbour, I thought he brought some great rough edges to the show and the guy could be an action star, he's tall and big and throws a mean punch.
"He stole the show in Black Widow. I wanted to be part of the show because I loved it so much and I loved the kids."
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It turns out Englund auditioned for the role of the villainous Mayor Kline, which went to Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, 59.
The Freddy Krueger actor continued: "I went in for the mayor and I think they changed the way they wanted him.
"When I went in, they kind of wanted him like the mayor in Jaws, they wanted him kind of corrupt, almost like a cheap used car salesman.
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“They told me the mayor in Jaws and I imagined some guy in a plaid jacket and I played him older and greedy and I think they needed someone younger because I think he gets blackmailed because he has a mistress... so I wasn't right for that."
Thankfully, the Duffer Brothers came knocking later on.
In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Englund said he eventually got the call for Victor Creel, and he 'sent a little home audition tape' that his wife had filmed.
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Recalling the audition tape to TooFab, the star said: "My wife's filming me on a smart phone, sitting on the toilet seat!
"I had to audition. I'm not sure, at the time of the audition, that I even knew how extensive the makeup was going to be on my eyes.
“I put on a white bathrobe and I sat against some white tile, so it looked like I might be in an asylum and wearing an old bathrobe."
You can watch Stranger Things season four on Netflix now.
Topics: TV and Film, Stranger Things
Jess Hardiman