Casting What-Ifs
Anthony Edwards; Lea Thompson; Emilio Estevez as Billy; C. Thomas Howell as Kirby; Robert Downey Jr. as Billy; Charlie Sheen; Jenny Wright as Jules
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:22Read transcript
- The hosts say hundreds were interviewed, with Anthony Edwards and Lea Thompson (transcribed 'Leah Thompson') coming close.
- The hosts say Schumacher had to push for the three Breakfast Club actors, and that Emilio wanted to play Billy (called a potential disaster) before settling for Kirby.
- The hosts say C. Thomas Howell (transcribed 'See Thomas Howe') auditioned for Kirby but was too young, and that Rob Lowe was only 20 when cast as Billy.
- The hosts say Robert Downey Jr. was considered for Billy before Lowe won it after three auditions; one host loves Lowe as Billy and still sees Downey as Kevin as the sweet spot.
- Emilio's Kirby is like his Breakfast Club character five years later, yet he had one of the better careers with Young Guns, his own films and Stakeout.
- Charlie Sheen is called a bit too young and reportedly skipped his audition; one host says he could have played Alec, as he basically does in Wall Street.
- The hosts say Demi Moore was cast after Schumacher saw her storm out of a John Hughes audition on the Columbia lot; she was on General Hospital, which one host watched.
- The hosts say that when Moore went to rehab, moving Jenny Wright into the role of Jules was discussed.
- Madonna stories are uncertain; Madonna as Jules is a good runner-up, but Moore was perfect, and Madonna may not have managed the Jeep scene, possibly Moore's best acting.
- Mid-80s ensembles seem to have had about 40 actors going up for the same eight parts.
- Linda Hamilton was rumored for a role, maybe Jules or the Ally Sheedy part.