We just found out Britney Spears auditioned for one of our favourite romantic films ‘The Notebook’, and now we’ve got a glimpse of what could’ve been!

More than 20 years after her audition, some long-lost footage has surfaced, thanks to Daily Mail.

In the two-and-a-half-minute clip, Britney takes on the role of Allie as she breaks the news to Noah – played by Ryan Gosling – that she’s marrying Lon – played by James Marsden.

With tear-filled eyes, Britney says: “I’m not staying, I tried to call you to tell you that I wasn’t going to stay—but nobody answered the phone,” she says, before becoming emotional. “Noah, you can’t marry two people. And I’m marrying Lon, so I should go, okay?”

Cue the waterworks!

Britney didn’t end up snagging the role of Allie as it ended up going to the talented Rachel McAdams.

But it sounds like it was a close decision for casting director Michael Barry.

“Britney wasn’t just good, she was phenomenal,” he spilled to Daily Mail.

“IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION. BRITNEY BLEW US ALL AWAY. OUR JAWS WERE ON THE FLOOR. I WAS BLOWN AWAY. ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY. SHE BROUGHT HER A-GAME THAT DAY.”

In her upcoming memoir, ‘The Woman in Me’, Britney spills on how she really felt about not landing the part in the 2004 flick.

“The Notebook casting came down to me and Rachel McAdams, and even though it would have been fun to reconnect with Ryan Gosling after our time on The Mickey Mouse Club, I’m glad I didn’t do it,” she wrote.

Instead, she could focus on what she did best, and that was making chart-topping music for her 2003 album ‘In The Zone’.

While we wish we got to see Britney alongside Ryan in the film, I guess it was for the best! Could you imagine if our ears never got to hear ‘Toxic’?!