I have a problem – I love stories about who were the first and second choices for films, who said no to a part and how a certain actor eventually got cast after 14 people refused. But I also judge actors for talking about it because it can get kind of tacky, right? Like, I would judge Anne Hathaway if she was giving interviews about how she said no to Silver Linings Playbook, a role that won Jennifer Lawrence the Best Actress Oscar in 2013. But I’d still want to know that Annie passed on it. Luckily, Harvey Weinstein is here to pass on all of the casting gossip that’s fit to print. Apparently, Anne was everyone’s first choice for Silver Linings Playbook, and Annie left the project because David O. Russell is kind of a douche (that’s what I’m getting, anyway). Let Harvey explain how it went down:
Well, at least they both won Oscars! During an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show Wednesday, Jan. 15, film producer and studio head Harvey Weinstein revealed that Anne Hathaway had originally been given Jennifer Lawrence’s role in Silver Linings Playbook, but dropped out due to “creative differences.”
“Does it drive you insane when you can’t get your starlet, the one you know that is going to be right for the movie?” Stern asked The Weinstein Company co-chairman.
“It doesn’t drive me insane because I’ve always believed if we can’t get somebody established, we’ll find somebody new,” Weinstein, 61, said. “I’ll give you an idea: Silver Linings Playbook was originally going to be with Anne Hathaway and Mark Wahlberg . . . and then Anne wasn’t doing it. And she’s marvelous, and wonderful and she was my choice, I love her.”
“You made a move to get Anne Hathaway and you couldn’t get her?” Stern asked.
“No we got her,” Weinstein confirmed. “We had Annie and then we had Mark . . . then whatever happened, happened.”
What exactly was it that happened?
“Well, David and Anne had some creative differences,” Weinstein confessed. “They didn’t see eye-to-eye.”
“I bet she’s kicking herself in the head,” Stern quipped about not appearing in the acclaimed 2012 blockbuster. (Wahlberg was also replaced in Silver Linings Playbook by Bradley Cooper. In the film, Lawrence played a quirky, mentally unstable widow named Tiffany Maxwell who falls in love with Cooper’s Patrick “Pat” Solitano, Jr., a Philadelphia-area man who suffers from bipolar disorder.)
“Well, whatever. I don’t think so,” the studio exec said. “She went on to win the Academy Award for Les Miserables — maybe we’re kicking [ourselves] in the head.”
“Then Jennifer Lawrence and two or three other actress came in, and the minute we saw Jennifer Lawrence’s tape . . . Because I said, ‘How the hell are we gonna replace Annie?’ And then this amazing creature walked in who is a brilliant actress, and so much fun, and she won an Oscar.”
As it turns out, Silver Linings Playbook wasn’t the first time Hathaway has turned down a movie role that went on to become a big hit. In an interview with the July 2012 issue of Allure, Hathaway said dropped out of Katherine Heigl’s role in the 2007 comedy Knocked Up due to a graphic birth scene.
“I thought about that [director] Judd [Apatow] was right to include the shot. I didn’t disagree with the shot,” she explained. “My issue with it was that having not experienced motherhood myself, I didn’t know how I was gonna feel on the other side about giving birth. Because giving birth involves another human being, I didn’t feel it was fair for me to make that call for myself.” She added, “And by the way, I could pop out a kid and think, ‘Oh, well, really should have done that movie.'”
If I remember correctly, Angelina Jolie was also up for the Silver Linings role at one point too, perhaps before Annie. I remember some casting speculation that Mark Wahlberg and Angelina would be doing the film, and then I think Angelina walked away. Maybe Angie thinks David O. Russell is kind of douchey too. Anyway, these “what if” games are always fun, but when you really think about it, I seriously doubt that Anne Hathaway would have won Best Actress if she had been in the film. Jennifer Lawrence won because she was so young and funny and she just played her Oscar campaign so well.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Well, Anne got her Oscar either way so things worked out really well for everybody 🙂
And Anne actually deserved her Oscar.
Jennifer is such a beautiful girl, but something is so off with her smile. Like it doesn’t reach her eyes.
It’s been floated out there that many actors don’t win the oscar for the role they’re nominated for. Maybe there were 2 deserving actors 1 year. Only 1 oscar could be given away so the other actor gets it within the next few years provided they come out with a decent film. Get it?
And imo Anne did not deserve that Oscar. She’s done great work (rachel getting married), but not for that movie.
I know that, but Anne was amazing and definitely deserved her Oscar last year, IMO.
I have not seen Winter’s Bone, but Jennifer didn’t impress me in SLP or AH. I still haven’t seen a truly amazing performance from her, so I’m quite surprised that there is so much hype around her. I think it her personality helps her lack in acting.
Anne seemed to fake in her pursuit of an Oscar. Too above it all and fake. I think that played a big role in both the public disliking her and the academy to certain degree.
JLaw was not that great in SLP and her character in the book was minimal, but she’s shown range throughout her career.
Maybe such a big deal was made about LM that I expected to be amazed, but was not impressed by her acting or singing. She has done better.
Still, many great actresses got a career boost by winning Supporting rather than Best so it’s not too bad.
She just seems forced and disingenuouse to me at this point so it’s hard to like her.
Oh and she butchered cat women.
Thank God Jennifer took the role – Hathaway would have chewed the scenery and mugged at the camera constantly, and the character would have been a joke.
Lawrence deserved her Best Actress Oscar for the role – she was great. AnnE had to make do with her undeserved, purchased-by-the-studio, relentlessly pursued and paltry Best Supporting Actress award. Too bad it hasn’t made her go away permanently, the way it has for all other BSAO winners.
After reading about Russell molesting/groping his niece, and getting away with it—I will never watch one of his movies ever again. Which is good, because I’d only seen American Hustle–but I’m not going to waste a quarter of my money on any crap that he comes out with.
I missed this comment before putting my own below. It disgusts me that so many in the film industry get away with this behavior.
Anne won for a much better role. Also even people who can’t stand Anne didn’t deny she deserved her win. Jennifer is a good actress but she wasn’t the best her category.
That’s your opinion but I disagree. If Anne hadn’t over- hyped her performance and started her Oscar campaign before the movie came out, she wouldn’t have gotten any more attention than her co-stars. She totally bought her award.
No, I though Anne was fairly irritating in Les Mis. Don’t speak for everyone!
Even though I don’t dislike Anne personally, I really don’t like it when people get all defensive because they think she’s so talented. She’s fine. Normally the weak link, but not a dealbreaker. Most of her parts would have been better if it was someone else, but I try not to let her ruin films for me.
Check out the Honest Trailer treatment of Les Miz on that issue & others… hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBYfA3zTxFE
better role? lol she was just crying crying crying
@Fzh what you just described are my feelings for Lawrence. Always over the top, but not a dealbreaker. She definitely did not deserve an Oscar for SLP, and her role in AH is even more overacted.
Now Anne, I’ve never seen a movie of hers in which she wasn’t great. And she was amazing in LEs Mis. I also think she would have been better as Tiffany Maxwell.
Anne was extremely good in “Rachel Getting Married,” a role for which she was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. She won me over in “Rachel Getting Married.” 🙂
Anne won for a role that hundreds of actresses have already played and a great number of them have played it far better. She can’t sing well enough to pull off that role. She wasn’t even the best supporting actress in her movie – Samantha Barks was much better as Eponine.
I’m not sure when this site became the home for the JLaw Sucks club, but count me out of the group think on that meme. I think she’s great. I think she deserved her Academy Award. Far more offensive awards have been given (Sandra Bullock for Blind Side comes to mind). I think she is very versatile for someone so young., and I think she was good in American Hustle (even though Amy Adams stole the show). I would take JLaw anytime, everytime over Hathaway.
Kate- I agree with everything you just said. Every last word.
I don’t hate Jennifer Lawrence. She is a good actress but Jessica Chastain and Naomi Watts were nominated in her catagory last year. Thay are just much more talented in my opinion and had better roles to work with. Anne is annoying absolutely but this is seriously the first time I have heard anyone say anything negative about her in that role. It’s a matter of opinion of course. I just have a feeling it’s a more finding her unlikable which on this site means she can do no right.
Different Kate
Well said. Anne seems very off to me. Her acting, roles she chooses, styling. Just off. And though JLaw says some wacky things that make no sense or might be considered offensive if you make that stretch she’s still a very good actor.
Singing? AnnE? Excruciating caterwauling is more like it. No wonder she cried. She heard herself sing, lol.
Yeah, I think Jlaw is a better actress and a lot more charismatic than Anne…..I think Anne is perfectly fine, but she never wows me. Like Angelina J is one of my favorite actresses because even if the movie is subpar—she always gives a really good performance, the best that she can give, despite the film itself–like Alexander. That movie was long, boring, and confusing–I watched it because of Angelina, and left wanting to see more of Olympias (despite her wonky accent)….
Anne has never done that for me—she’s had a few good roles….Brokeback Mountain, Rachel Getting Married, and Les Miserables—but other than that??? She’s never truly made a role her own, made it seem like SHE was the perfect person for the role, no one else could play it…..not for me at least.
Doutzen: Jessica Chastain was my first choice for best actress last year. Zero Dark Thirty was fantastic (should’ve won best picture) and Chastain was fantastic in it. That said, I thought JLaw was a worthy winner.
The “more talented” actress oftentimes doesn’t win. Julia Roberts won over Juliette Binoche, Joan Allen, Ellen Burstyn and Laura Linney. Hilary Swank beat Annette Benning (twice), Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet……. I mean, seriously? She just hit the right roles at the right time with the right PR, etc.
Virgilia
Anne was amazing in Princess Diaries 1 and 2!
Of course, Chris Pine is what brought me into 2. Mmmh
Why don’t we have more Pine posts here?!
A Different Kate
Yes. The awards are just political with a bit of publicity attatched. This is proven by 2 ways.
1. How when the awards were slacking viewers they attatched every ok movie into Best Film. And…
2. How ever since the Gone with the Wind cast that was nominated and Black wasn’t allowed to attend n the proper entrance they nominate Black actors for roles not terribly worthy of an Oscar just for the PR. Granted those actors did deserve the award, but not for the roles nominated. That’s why 12 YAS will win and nearly sweep imo.
Florc, I grew up on Princess Diaries and I liked it—but come on, anyone could’ve played that role……Anne was good in it, but she doesn’t really bring anything *extra* to any of her films that I’ve seen….I wouldn’t avoid a film because she’s in it, but I wouldn’t rush out to go see it either, solely because of her, like I do with some celebs.
She was ok. Helen Hunt was better, but it was a pretty weak year overall. Anne started campaigning before filming was even over, so it was a lock long before nominations were even announced.
I love Hollywood casting Sliding Doors! For example, Angelina Jolie was heavily courted for about a year for “Gravity”, and when she finally passed conclusively, it was offered to Natalie Portman, who was pregnant and had to pass.
It’s funny because sometimes the actor/actress who gets cast makes the role so indelibly their own that you can’t really picture anyone else in it. Anne is a great actress, but she would have made different choices for Tiffany, I think. It might have been a really interesting performance, but it would have been different for sure.
Angelina has turned down SO many good roles! It really sucks that she’s so picky, I miss her on my movie screen 🙁
i sometimes think that Angelina Jolie’s name is tacked onto many many titles in development just to get the thing off the ground; get initial funding/interest, solely due to her name recognition. (not necessarily actually expecting/even wanting her in the final casting)
perhaps with the rise of these new young artists, she will be mentioned less and less in new projects.
@lower-case deb
I’m not sure if she actually met with them or anything, but she does get all the scripts for any female role between 20–40, so….
“I’m not sure if she actually met with them or anything, but she does get all the scripts for any female role between 20–40, so….”
Even the roles that calls for a Black female lead huh. I wonder how Angie would have faired in “Think Like A Man.” I’m just messing with ya. 🙂
I agree but Angelina could do 10 movies a year if she wanted to. She is the queen of Hollywood and gets all the scripts first.
I do think she says no to most of them is because she only acts movies where her character is strong (mentally) – that’s her trademark. She only portrays strong female leads which I applaud her for.
It is interesting how Angelina’s named is tied to so many films that different actresses end up starring in. Just goes to show that she is one of the few actresses who can really pick and choose what she wants to be in. And yes, I wish she would star in more movies!
I wish she would too littlestar–BUT if ‘Unbroken’ turns out to be a hit…….then she should start her own production company and direct/produce films that have strong female characters, and movies about subjects that mean something to her. If I was rich, and I had the slightest clue about how to work a camera, I would be a director, I think.
Littlestar
Like True Women.
Angelina is in that film all of 5 minutes, but she’s the headliner and the biggest face on the cover.
BTW that’s a good movie if you haven’t seen it. Sad, but good.
Florc, that’s my favorite Angelina film (I just bought it actually), but she’s not in it for five minutes–it was split pretty equally between her and the other lead actress, since their stories diverge and then come back together in the end…
I agree.
I also want to say that just because someone gets an Oscar nod for a role, that doesn’t mean anyone else who could have played that part would received the same accolades, or that the movie would be a big hit. It’s not just the part itself, it’s what an actor brings to the role.
totally agree…i always think that to myself.
Ugh Anne could not have played this part. It would have required her NOT to be overly cute and precious, which I doubt she could have pulled off.
Also, I hate when men refer to women as “creatures”, oh this amazing creature! What the F she’s not a creature any more than anyone else is a creature, she’s a woman. I don’t know, it skeeves me out.
Have you seen Rachel Getting Married?
Also, her Catwoman was NOT cute and precious.
Your comment made me laugh out loud! You’re totally right!
I love reading stories about what could have been, too! I think that most times, the right person ends up in the right role.
I actually wouldn’t mind hearing from the actors who were the first choice, but turned down the role. As long as they’re not bitter about it and crying about how it could have been their Oscar-winning role, etc.
Anne should be careful or she’s always going to be everyone’s first choice for quirky and damaged.
Anne couldn’t do a birth scene because she never had a kid! BS! Was she a hooker before? She is an actress! Act! What an excuse.
Yeah that excuse didn’t make sense to me. Most of the time actors haven’t experienced what they’re portraying on-screen, which is why they’re acting.
I’m glad she didn’t take the job, no way could I see her in that part.
I don’t buy that, excuse at all. She wasn’t a princess, either. I’m sure Judd Apatow/Seth Rogan just gave her the ickies.
I read it was because they were going to show footage of an actual birth, and she felt it was unnecessary–I haven’t seen the movie, so I don’t know if it’s true or not.
Hmm. That seems a little more realistic, but something about AH tells me not to trust her. Nobody’s that precious all the time.
Also: holy misplaced comma, Batman! My bad.
David O Russell is more than just a douche. He is a disgusting person who committed sexual assault. He groped his niece. He even made statements the basically confirmed that he did it. But the police refused to arrest him because they did not witness the crime. Which is ridiculous. If the police needed to witness every crime, then we would be screwed.
Jennifer did a great job – I can’t picture Anne in that role. And I’m just glad Annie isn’t an award nominee this year.
That was one of those roles that had several actresses interested or attached, and it must have been a while back to still have Whalberg attached too. And I can’t really blame Anne – he’s cleaned up his act somewhat, but Russell’s a really difficult person to deal with and is NOT everyone’s cup of tea.
I know I’m a year late on this, but Jennifer’s Oscar dress was pink on the front? Pink and white? In these pictures, that’s how it appears. I always just thought it was an all white dress.
I think it is such a terrible movie; I don’t think AH could have made it any better, and it is probably fine she wasn’t in it. I am not a huge fan of AH as an actress, but she was really very good in Broke Back Mountain and Rachel Getting Married. She deserved her Oscar nom for that role. But she was so horribly cringe worthy in Love and Other Drugs. I was embarassed for her watching that movie. Anyway, I think we are about to see too much Jennifer Lawrence. I think she is going to be this awards season Anne Hathaway. She is all over the place and is getting a little obnoxious. I am glad we have had a break from AnnE. I may be able to watch one of her movies again. Maybe.
Anne’s performance in Broke Back Mountain was so good! That close-up scene when she’s on the phone … I remember leaning back in my seat at the theater to try and get some relief from the intensity of her character.
I thought she was good in Love & Other Drugs. That scene where she bugged out bc of her disability was heartbreaking.
Also that year: Rooney Mara was the first choice for Zero Dark Thirty, instead of Jessica Chastain (I’m glad they got Jessica). I think Rooney passed on the role for side effects, a part Blake Lively wanted.
So it could have been Anne Hathaway vs Rooney Mara at the 2013 oscar (in the lead actress category).
Hum, Harvey Weistein interviewed by Howard Stern? It should be interesting…. I wonder if he will ask him about all these rumors about what the actresses have to do in order to have a career or star in one of his movies …. (And I want to hear him talking about Blake Lively).
I like to hear casting stories, too. I love sites like notstarring.com.
It’s suck for Angelina Jolie, she passed on several good roles in the recent years (gravity, serena, silver lining playbook…) and then she does the tourist, ugh. I’m curious to see her in maleficient, but it just seems to be in the same vein as Alice in wonderland or Oz, the great and powerful.
And if I remember correctly, Natalie Portman is also an actress who was attached to a lot of successful movies: Romeo + Juliett, Almost Famous, Constant gardener, Doubt, The girl with dragon tattoo, Dark knight rises , Gravity … But I’m ok with that because she isn’t the best actress (or one of my favourite).
Jen confirmed that Angelina rejected the role for both SLB and also Serena.
She did not confirm , she joked about how she took Angelina leftovers after the reporter told her it was Angelina movie. anyway .. i don’t believe SLB and Serena were never Angelina Jolie but media create buzz for many movies on Angelina name to get people interested .
1. all I see are annE’s white knuckles clutching her Oscar. it’s ok annE! no one will take it from you now.
2. w need a regular poster to keep track of all the scum in hollywood (allen, etc etc) so I can know what films to avoid for the future. had no idea about russell and his niece 🙁
3. I like jennifer’s dress and did not realize it had pink on it.
I’d appreciate that list too.
OT: My son is 25, and he likes 21/2 Men. I despise CS. I sat him down yesterday, and showed him a few stories about Charlie. He was a little horrified to say the least. He had no idea about Chuckie’s drug/hooker use, and he could not understand him throwing both ex’s out on their butt, along with his young children. He is no longer a fan.
LOL. AnnE’s white knuckles. It’s probably the first thing she sees when she wakes up in the morning.
Allen, Polanski, Weinstein, and Russell are all scum. If Hollywood were to blacklist all the pedos and rapists, there would be no Hollywood left as we know it.
Russell’s films suck by the way. I thought SLP was horrible and I couldn’t get through American Hustle. So overrated. It’s good that Jennifer is expecting backlash, because I can tell from comments online that people are sick of seeing her. Comparing her to Meryl Streep is simply absurd. I haven’t been impressed with her performances so far.
I have never noticed before until I read this article that Jennifer’s oscar dress was two tone.
If it´s true and Anne left Silver Linings because of David O. Russell then you have my respect Anne! David O. Russell is dirt.
But if he’s so terrible how come that Jennifer and Amy have worked with him multiple times?
Maybe they’re ambitious? Or they’re good at compartmentalizing? Or they’re the sort of people who aren’t as affected by verbal abuse? Or for whatever reason, Russell is less inclined to treat them badly than he is some other people?
There are plenty of horrifying people who still manage to have long term or repeated work interactions with others.
Both are overrated, but they sure do have great dental work!
I thought Silver Linings Playbook was astoundingly poor. First half: depressed jerk / perverse love story movie (basically a ripoff of “Bufallo ’66”). Second half: dance competition. WTF?
I really didn’t get the industry love for this movie, except perhaps for Jennifer Lawrence’s ingénue, young-Ellen-Barkin charm being so winning (which I grant, but it was a loveable performance in a sucky movie).
Apparently i’m the only obe who likes Anne Hathway.I love Jen..
but i alsi like Anne.
Anyway,i thibk Hathaway was terrific in 2012 by nailing both Fantine and Catwoman.She definetly deserved her oscar.
Jen was amazing as well but i feel that Naomi Watss should have won for The Impossible.