Casting What-Ifs
Nicole Kidman; Johnny Depp; Will Smith; Cate Blanchett; Catherine Zeta-Jones; Gwen Stefani; Gwyneth Paltrow
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:48Read transcript
- Pitt and Nicole Kidman were originally cast; after Kidman left and Pitt dropped out, Depp and Will Smith were approached.
- Reported possibilities include Depp with Cate Blanchett and Will Smith with Catherine Zeta-Jones; Gwen Stefani says she came close.
- Liman reportedly wanted Gwyneth Paltrow because she and Pitt were exes; the idea of exploiting that baggage is criticized.
- Liman ultimately described using Pitt and Paltrow’s past as too much manipulation; Blanchett was unavailable because of The Aviator.