cast somebody in a role

He was cast in his first role at age 7.

Five years passed before he was actually cast in the role.

Still, he could never cast himself in the leading role.

Even casting a black woman in the lead role has been done before.

She had cast herself in the role of her own private detective.

A few days later, Christopher was cast in the role.

He had not read the novel that the film is based on before being cast in the role.

For the rest of his stage career he was usually cast in similar roles.

She was later cast in the smaller role of Michelle.

Did anyone, who was cast in the role opposite the hero?