Categories & segments

Chevy Chase and John Travolta were considered for Griffin, and several cut cameos and cast relationships are discussed.

Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Melanie Griffith, Traci Lords, and Sharon Stone’s audition history are discussed.

De Niro’s choice of Jimmy, Malkovich and William Petersen alternatives, Liotta and Sean Penn possibilities, Sorvino’s self-discovery, and Cruise/Madonna rumors are discussed.

Mann corrects online casting stories

The enormous casting tree includes Deborah Winger, Amy Irving, Barbara Hershey, Sean Young, Jeff Bridges, Tom Selleck, Danny DeVito, Klaus Kinski, and Jonathan Pryce.

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s failed Predator casting dominated; the much shorter original suit and contradictory firing accounts were preserved.

Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Paul Newman, and several Lecter possibilities are discussed.

OJ Simpson, Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Gibson, Selleck, Sting, and several Sarah Connor candidates form the casting what-if tree.

Cate Blanchett was the original Commander Lewis choice before a scheduling conflict led to Jessica Chastain; Drew Goddard’s directing path was recalled.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for Harry Stamper, while Milla Jovovich and Robin Wright reportedly preceded Liv Tyler as Grace possibilities.

Mel Gibson, Antonio Banderas, Ben Mendelsohn, and Hugh Jackman are mentioned as reported Maximus possibilities, while Crowe’s push for Christopher Plummer as Marcus Aurelius lost to Richard Harris.

Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, and George Clooney were considered for Clayton; Sean Connery was the backup for Brill, prompting a role-swap discussion with The Rock.