Casting What-Ifs
Kim Basinger and other stars for Catherine; Tom Berenger and other leading men for Nick; Milos Forman as director
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:48Read transcript
- Douglas wanted an established star; Kim Basinger declined, which is welcomed because she lacked playfulness.
- The hosts list other actresses who declined, including Julia Roberts, Greta Scacchi, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfeiffer and Geena Davis; Meg Ryan would have been terrible and Pfeiffer would not have done the nudity.
- The hosts say Verhoeven went for Demi Moore, Amanda Donohoe was considered, and Douglas was talked into Sharon Stone, who made $500,000.
- The Nick Curran role was said to be originally a lesbian cop written with Kathleen Turner in mind.
- The hosts say Verhoeven was slated to direct Black Rain but left for Total Recall, and that he wanted Tom Berenger for RoboCop and for Nick and was turned down.
- Per the hosts, Milos Forman was the first choice to direct and many leading men were allegedly considered, including Swayze, Costner, De Niro, Willis, Gibson and Harrison Ford, but the role is iconic Douglas.