The original notebook already wanted Keitel, Walken, Roth and Plummer; Fishburne was Jules before Jackson, with Murphy another listed possibility rather than a confirmed offer.
Murphy’s move toward family films makes accepting this material uncertain, although it might have been a valuable career choice.
Madsen committed to Wyatt Earp instead of Vincent, and later Vega-brothers speculation linked his Reservoir Dogs character with Vincent.
Miramax reportedly resisted Travolta and pushed Day-Lewis; the panel imagines his unusual contemporary-hitman interpretation while strongly preferring the actual casting.
Dillon reportedly asked for a day before accepting Butch, during which Willis became available; the lost role might have changed Dillon’s trajectory despite later successes.
A competing Dillon story says he wanted an onscreen boxing match rather than merely asking for time to decide.
Virginia Madsen was an early Mia choice.
Miramax preferred Meg Ryan or Holly Hunter before Tarantino won the argument for Uma Thurman.
Max Julien and Sid Haig reportedly declined Marsellus; Jackson was another backup while Fishburne remained the intended Jules.
Cusack and possibly Oldman were considered for Lance, followed by Tarantino and then Stoltz; Buscemi’s unavailability led Tarantino to Jimmie, a preferable outcome to replacing Stoltz.
Irène Jacob and Julie Delpy were considered for Fabienne.
Delpy’s perceived intelligence makes the panel more interested in that version.
Phil LaMarr read for Jules and Brett before being cast as Marvin.
Courtney Love’s claim that Cobain would play Lance and she would play Jody is explicitly doubted.
