7) Friends
Despite being called Friends, what really defined the show was its two central romances, between Rachel and Ross and Monica and Chandler, which fans watched grow and became hugely invested in over the ten seasons of the series. However, the original plan was to focus the show around a different couple – Joey and Monica.
This plan got as far as the pilot episode, in which the pair’s sparky conversations hint at some unresolved sexual tension, before the idea was nixed. Chiefly, because Matt LeBlanc and Courtney Cox’s takes on the characters did not make them a natural couple.
Likewise, another initial idea was for Chandler to come out as gay at some point. However, again this was changed when Matthew Perry was cast. Later on, Monica and Chandler’s relationship was meant to be a quick fling, but the fans’ reaction made it permanent. Basically, the universe did not want them to be a couple, but they managed it anyway.
6) Buffy The Vampire Slayer
One of the defining storylines in Joss Whedon’s magnum opus Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the coming out of Alyson Hannigan’s Willow Rosenberg and her subsequent relationship with Tara. Early on in the show’s run, however, Whedon had others plans.
Though he knew he wanted to explore the sexuality of one of his characters, he didn’t at first know which one. Initially, his plan was to have Xander reveal himself as gay and enter into a relationship with gay high school footballer Larry.
Speaking of Willow though, her girlfriend Tara was killed in season six. In the show’s finale, though, Whedon wanted to end on a happy note and bring Tara back to life, but actress Amber Benson wasn’t available. It might have undone a famous moment of the series, but we have a feeling fans would have been all right with it.
5) Smallville
As Superman prequel Smallville went on, it became more and more of a refuse for various DC characters both famous and obscure. Even a youthful Justice League was formed with the Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Cyborg. One hero conspicuous by his absence was, of course, Batman. However, there were originally plans to introduce him to the show.
For season three, future The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder was brought onto play a teenage Bruce Wayne who would clash with young Clark Kent. However, the production team could not clear the rights to Batman and the idea had to be scrapped. Instead, Somerhalder played Adam Knight, whose name of course alludes to who he was meant to play. The lack of Batman also later led the network to utilize Oliver Queen, a move which directly inspired the Arrow TV series. Basically, if Smallville had used Batman, we might not have the Arrowverse today.
