Casting What-Ifs
Ringwald originally for Allison; Robin Wright, Jodie Foster and Laura Dern for Claire; Estevez, Nicolas Cage and John Cusack for Bender; Tom Cruise for Andrew; Rick Moranis for Carl; Anthony Michael Hall offered Full Metal Jacket
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:09Read transcript
- The hosts say Ringwald was meant to play Allison but wanted Claire, and Hughes initially resisted because it was close to her Sixteen Candles role; switching would have broken her persona.
- Robin Wright, Foster and Laura Dern are named as auditioning for Claire; Wright is judged too beautiful for the part.
- As the hosts relay Ringwald's account, Hughes wrote Sixteen Candles around her headshot, and their mentor relationship changed after she began dating Anthony Michael Hall during this film.
- Estevez was originally to be Bender but switched when Hughes couldn't find an Andrew; Tom Cruise was unavailable and is called perfect for it.
- Nicolas Cage was considered for Bender and is judged too much.
- John Cusack was originally cast as Bender and replaced by Nelson for not being threatening enough; it would be a totally different, more sensitive film.
- Rick Moranis was originally cast as the janitor and left over creative differences.
- Anthony Michael Hall was offered the lead in Full Metal Jacket before Matthew Modine and withdrew after negotiations with the director.