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.
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.
Giamatti's Apex is placed in the John Adams/Billions period rather than Sideways, with the mid-2010s suggested.
Church's Apex remains discussed rather than clearly resolved: Wings, the Oscar nomination, Spider-Man, steady later work and an Emmy for Broken Trail are considered; an older-character-actor career like Dern's is desired.
Santa Ynez, including Los Olivos and Solvang, receives an affirmative Apex choice because the film boosted the region.
Bachelor-party disasters lose Apex to The Hangover, with Bachelor Party and Very Bad Things alternatives.
Madsen is initially favored for Apex on the Oscar nomination and iconic scene, with her earlier Hot Spot and Candyman career considered.
The Saab Turbo receives an affirmative Apex choice despite being disliked.
Drinking champagne in a car receives an affirmative choice, apparently the only example remembered.
Oh is rejected for Apex here; Grey's Anatomy and Killing Eve's first season are competing peaks, while The Chair receives praise and Arliss is rejected.
The Payne/Oh marriage receives an affirmative Apex choice before its later breakup.
Pinot Noir receives an affirmative Apex choice because the film reinvigorated it.
Angry naked men are proposed but initially rejected without a settled alternative; Eyes Wide Shut is floated but its nudity may reflect passion rather than anger.
Golfer James Lepp receives a joking Apex mention.
Richebourg receives a qualified Apex mention for its name-drop.
Barely Legal magazine receives an affirmative choice for its most memorable movie moment.
Madsen receives a clear affirmative Apex choice after consideration of her earlier films.
