Michelle Trachtenberg was almost Bella Swan, she says

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Television actress Michelle Trachtenberg says she was almost in the driver’s seat of Bella Swan’s ‘Twilight’ pickup truck -- alleging that she was tapped to play Kristen Stewart’s star-making role in the vampire franchise.

‘I’ve known [director] Catherine Hardwicke since the movie ‘Thirteen,’ ‘ she told Us Weekly. ‘I was actually supposed to star in that [‘Thirteen], but I was on ‘Buffy’ at the time.’

Trachtenberg cites scheduling conflicts as the reason she didn’t get to lurk with Robert Pattinson in the first ‘Twilight Saga’ film, helmed by Hardwicke. But don’t worry about Michelle: She’s fine with sitting out the billion-dollar franchise.

‘I already have ‘Buffy,’’ she said. ‘I’ve already done the vampire thing.’

Thank heavens! Not only do we find it graceless when actors cast themselves, it’s worse to peck over the almost-were roles. Not only does it detract from the actor who, you know, won the role, but it’s seriously unprofessional.

Trachtenberg’s hubristic ‘Twilight’ reveal is akin to saying she passed on ‘Salt’ after her satisyfying experience on ‘Harriet the Spy.’

We’re perfectly happy with Kristen’s take on Bella, and as for Michelle -- give her and the gang our best over at ‘Gossip Girl.’

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly