Russell Crowe was director PJ Hogan's first option to play the function of Michael within the 1997 rom-com.
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Three years earlier than Russell Crowe made “Gladiator,” the Oscar-winning actor might need starred within the iconic rom-com “My Finest Buddy’s Marriage ceremony” — however he blew it.
As a substitute, the function reverse Julia Roberts within the 1997 flick was snagged by Dermot Mulroney.
The movie’s director additionally revealed that their lead had gunned for Drew Barrymore to play her foe in a romantic triangle with Mulroney’s character, slightly than Cameron Diaz.
“My Finest Buddy’s Marriage ceremony” follows Roberts’ Jules as she pines for her bestie Michael (Mulroney), and plots in opposition to his fiancée, Kimmy (Diaz).
PJ Hogan mentioned the gruff Australian actor appeared match for the half at first. “My first alternative was truly Russell Crowe,” Hogan defined in a latest Vulture retrospective of the movie.
The filmmaker continued, “Russell was, I assumed, in all probability essentially the most superb actor I had ever encountered. I sort of knew Russell was going to be a extremely massive star.”
Roberts had remaining casting approval and due to this fact, needed to display screen check with the “Stunning Thoughts” actor to see if the pair had chemistry.
“Nobody was getting on this film if Julia didn’t approve,” Hogan famous.
“I don’t know what went unsuitable,” he questioned. “It was one of many worst desk reads I’ve ever skilled. Russell was seated reverse Julia. He gripped that script, and he stared at that script, and he didn’t have a look at her as soon as. He learn each line in a monotone.”
The “Confessions of a Shopaholic” director added, “At one level, Julia was actually leaning over the desk, staring, like, inches from Russell’s face, attempting to make eye contact. And he wouldn’t have a look at her. On the finish of the studying, Russell got here as much as me and mentioned, ‘I assumed that went fairly nicely.’ After which I knew: Russell was not going to be in ‘My Finest Buddy’s Marriage ceremony.’ ”
Matthew McConaughey, Edward Burns and Matthew Perry had been a few of the different names thrown into the casting combine.
As for the a part of Kimmy, another massive names that had been introduced up in pre-production included Barrymore, Calista Flockhart and Reese Witherspoon.
“There was one thing about Cameron’s sunniness that implied energy,” Hogan mentioned. However Roberts wasn’t having it and wished Barrymore for Kimmy. After “quite a lot of negotiation,” Diaz was in a position to keep onboard, on the situation that Mulroney was additionally solid.
The film additionally starred Rupert Everett, Christopher Masterson, Philip Bosco and Rachel Griffiths. It acquired crucial acclaim on the time of its launch and went on to turn into the sixth highest grossing movie on the home field workplace when it premiered in 1997.
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