He blew the audition, completely blew it. And the director came to him, offering him the role. Forget that the director was desperate, they were flying to Africa the next day and the chosen actor had become ill. But a second chance at a missed role never happens. Glad it did in this case though. :)
This is generally called Kismet. Or, Mr. Caine channeled the John Cassevettes character in “Rosemary’s Baby”!