Casting What-Ifs
Denver; Bridges; Travolta; Hamlin; Reeve; Costner; Weaver; Huston; Leigh; unresolved DeMorne name; Ryan; Davis; Nicholson; Patinkin
In the discussion (17)
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- Travolta reportedly declined both American Gigolo and this role; Gere's subsequent career slump is placed against competition among leading men before Internal Affairs and Pretty Woman revived him.
- Gere is preferred to Travolta because his mystery and harder edge make the breakdown believable; Travolta's sweetness and broader quality are considered less suitable.
- An online claim that John Denver was offered Mayo is treated as a disastrous hypothetical and met with disbelief.
- Jeff Bridges reportedly was Hackford’s original choice but was unavailable.
- Travolta reportedly declined Mayo.
- Harry Hamlin was reportedly considered for Mayo.
- Christopher Reeve was reportedly considered for Mayo.
- Kevin Costner reportedly auditioned for Mayo.
- The role is imagined as a major alternate career break for Harry Hamlin.
- Sigourney Weaver was a reported Paula possibility but is judged unsuitable.
- Anjelica Huston was a reported Paula possibility but is judged unsuitable.
- Jennifer Jason Leigh reportedly left for Fast Times and is considered plausible but inferior to Winger.
- The performer transcribed as DeMorne (identity unresolved) reportedly auditioned and is considered too glamorous for Paula but plausible for Lynette.
- Meg Ryan reportedly auditioned for Paula.
- Geena Davis reportedly auditioned for Paula.
- Jack Nicholson reportedly declined Foley.
- Mandy Patinkin was reportedly rejected on ethnicity grounds before research into Black drill instructors redirected casting.