That Time SVU Almost Cast an MCU Star as Elliot Stabler
Another actor could have starred alongside Mariska Hargitay.
It isn't easy to envision anyone other than Christopher Meloni as the iconic detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU. However, during the show's early development stages, show creator Dick Wolf faced challenges casting the actor opposite Mariska Hargitay. While Meloni was certainly a top contender, Wolf actually wanted to see a different actor in the role.
It has to be noted that even before its premiere, expectations were high for SVU to be a standout crime procedural. The original show had already achieved iconic status by the late 1990s, prompting Wolf to strive to fulfill his promise to fans by ensuring SVU delivered top-notch quality. Consequently, he invested considerable time and effort in finding the ideal actor for the role of Stabler.
The Rivalry
Unknown to many SVU fans, John Slattery, a highly popular and talented MCU actor, was nearly cast as Stabler instead of Meloni. Yes, that Slattery, renowned for his portrayal of Howard Stark in the Marvel cinematic universe!
At the time of SVU's conception, Wolf was looking for a fresh face to star in the spin-off, and Slattery definitely fit the bill. His acting prowess and immense charisma made him a great candidate for the role of Detective Stabler. However, Meloni managed to persuade the producers to select him over Slattery.
Given the show's subsequent popularity, it would appear that Wolf made the right call in the end. Of course, we have no way of knowing if the show could have been even better with Slattery in the lead role, so it's all just hindsight speculation and rationalization.
Slattery Still Wins In The End
While Meloni made his way into Hollywood's A-list much earlier than Slattery, it looks like in the end, Slattery beat his rival after playing the iconic Roger Sterling on Mad Men, which earned him numerous accolades and made him a household name. His Mad Men fame enabled Slattery to pick and choose whatever roles took his fancy, while his solid work ethic ensured he appeared in far more major productions than Meloni.