Casting What-Ifs
Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen for Daniel; a Seven Samurai actor for Miyagi; Crispin Glover for Johnny; Helen Hunt and Demi Moore for Ali; Valerie Harper for the mom; Sarah Jessica Parker for Ali's best friend
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:08Read transcript
- The hosts say the character was originally named Danny Weber and renamed LaRusso once Macchio was cast; Macchio auditioned for Johnny because he did not want to play another good guy.
- Zabka is cited saying Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen were considered for Daniel; Downey might have made a better movie, but the counterpoint is that Macchio's odd combination is what makes it stand out, and a likable Downey would have muddied whether Johnny was the villain.
- Sheen is not seen as Daniel and would have fit Johnny better.
- Sean Penn, Emilio Estevez, Nicolas Cage, Anthony Edwards, Tom Cruise and Eric Stoltz are listed as only rumored; only Downey and Sheen are said to be confirmed.
- The studio originally wanted a famous Japanese actor from Seven Samurai for Miyagi (name garbled in the transcript), but he did not speak English; Bill Cosby is also said to have been mentioned, which would have aged worst.
- The hosts say Crispin Glover was considered for Johnny before Zabka, and Helen Hunt and Demi Moore for Ali before Shue, who reportedly got it partly from a Burger King commercial and took leave from Harvard.
- The hosts say Valerie Harper was almost the mom before Randee Heller and Sarah Jessica Parker was supposed to play Ali's best friend, which would have added depth.