Casting What-Ifs
Reported casting alternatives and declined directors are discussed; Bullock and de Bont are judged successful choices.
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:11Read transcript
- Stephen Baldwin reportedly declined because the script resembled Die Hard; the decision is mocked.
- Jeff Bridges and Johnny Depp reportedly passed; Depp is considered capable of playing the part.
- An earlier, more comic-relief version of Annie was reportedly written with Ellen DeGeneres in mind. — Bill Simmons
- Halle Berry reportedly declined the rewritten Annie role; she is considered a promising alternative. — Bill Simmons
- Bullock is preferred because her charm develops over the film instead of relying on immediate glamour.
- Berry reportedly thought the role would have reduced her to a black bus driver; the discussion both detects bitterness and concedes she might have been right. — Bill Simmons
- John McTiernan, Renny Harlin, and Quentin Tarantino reportedly declined to direct; Tarantino’s potential version is admired.
- Hiring the Die Hard cinematographer to direct is judged to have worked out well. — Bill Simmons