A book by author James Andrew Miller chronicles the secrets of Hollywood’s biggest talent agency – here are some of the best finds.
Matthew Broderick stole hearts with his titular role in “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off”, but he almost passed on it. Broderick had performed two Broadway plays around that time, in which he was required to speak directly to the audience. He feared breaking the fourth wall in “Ferris Beuller” would typecast him as: “this comedian who talks to the camera.” Looking back, the actor says he is glad his representatives convinced him to take the role: “I probably have a few movies that I wish I hadn’t been in, but Ferris was a good one.”
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The cast of “The Hangover” had some pretty stellar chemistry and it came together from sheer luck. Studio executives cast Bradley Cooper in the role after witnessing his work on “Yes Man” with Jim Carrey. Jason Heyman says the role played by Zach Galifianakis was initially meant for someone else, but agents convinced director Todd Philips with a little help from the actor’s “Between Two Ferns”.
Get this. No one wanted to do “Dances With Wolves”. People turned down offers to be involved with the film that won Best Picture at the Academy Awards because of an unsettling pitch: Kevin Costner’s film would be three hours long, the Indians would speak original Lakota Sioux and he would both direct and star in it.
Nicole Kidman almost did not get her Oscar, because she had to be thoroughly convinced to do “The Hours”. The actress told her agent she was depressed at the time and could not do the movie – instead choosing to stay in Australia with her family. The agent insisted she get on her plane and do the role. Kidman says it was the right call: “Thank God he talked to me like he did, because I would have just curled up in bed and stayed there. Look at what happened with that movie. I need tough love sometimes.”
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“Splash” nearly starred John Travolta, what a twist. The film’s producer and director met with Travolta to discuss the role, and although the actor was allegedly interest – his agents shut down any possibilities after finding out the meeting took place behind their back. What “Splash” got instead was a rising young star named Tom Hanks.
There are plenty more exciting tidbits from “Powerhouse: The Untold Story Of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency.” You can read many more of them at Mashable.