Swingers poster
Swingers

Casting What-Ifs

Jason Priestley in Vaughn's role; Depp as Trent; Favreau as director

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:33Read transcript
  • Liman is quoted from the oral history that Jason Priestley wanted Vaughn's part and could have raised a million and a half; Livingston is quoted that Vaughn was the last approved because they wanted a poster name.
  • Priestley, though loved on his TV show, could not have played the part; that would have been a disaster.
  • The hosts say distributors or money people wanted Depp to play Trent.
  • Favreau is said to have pushed hard to direct but, like the Good Will Hunting guys, knew starring was their break; he became co-producer and let Liman direct.
  • They may have butted heads, with Liman called famously difficult; Favreau's storyboard sketches in the oral history closely match the film, and Favreau has been diplomatic.
  • The hosts say Heather Graham would not be interviewed for the Grantland oral histories of Boogie Nights or Swingers.