Casting What-Ifs
John Avildsen replaced by John Badham; Jessica Lange, Kathleen Quinlan and Carrie Fisher reportedly considered for Stephanie; Donna Pescow nearly passed over
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:53Read transcript
- The original director, who made Rocky, was fired a month before shooting, and his replacement was put on the map by this film.
- Actresses reportedly considered for Stephanie include Jessica Lange, Kathleen Quinlan, Amy Irving and Carrie Fisher, with the internet list flagged as not fully verified.
- Amy Irving is doubted because she was in Carrie with Travolta and was probably too famous; Carrie Fisher auditioned before Star Wars and would have been better than Gorney.
- Accent matters most: Gorney's fake New York accent is unconvincing, illustrated by an impression of a Brooklyn aunt.
- Donna Pescow, from Brooklyn, had to bring her accent back; Paramount executives Eisner and Katzenberg thought her too pretty, so she gained about 10 pounds and auditioned six times.