Horror Movie Casting

[XCoRyX]

Im a big fan of casting,i would love to be a caster for movies,espicially horror,espicially my own scripts :)...anyways,i always have and am interested in casting choices,and who tried out or rejected the roles of certain characters in movies.So i got some of them,and would like to see if anyone else can find some out,hope this is in the right forum and people have some "fun" with this,i found it all quite interesting,and sometimes shocking.
**May contain slight spoilers**
HALLOWEEN-

Melissa Joan Hart auditioned for the role of Jamie Lloyd.

Carpenter approached Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee to play the Sam Loomis role (that was eventually played by Donald Pleasance) but both turned him down.

Charles S. Dutton originally had a small role in H20 as a detective, however his part was removed as script rewrites came in.

Marion was originally to survive in the pre-credits sequence of H20, and Ronny to die. However, sensing audience appeal towards the latter character, the situation was switched and Marion was killed off. This was not recieved well by fans worldwide

Jacinda Barrett was originally cast as Sara Moyer but dropped out at the last minute due to other commitments.

Bianca Kajlich was originally cast in the role of Jenna Danzig.

Katee Sackhoff originally was supposed to portray Donna Chang.

Producers considered Danielle Harris who played Jamie Lloyd in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) and Halloween 5 (1989) for a role in Halloween: Resurrection. ( i find this somewhat weird).....

Denise Richards auditioned for the role of Beth in Part 6,but was beat by Mariah O' Brien..

Michael Worth tried out for the role of tommy doyle.

FRIDAY THE 13th-

Adrienne King got the role of Alice only after the original filmmakers gave up trying to land Sally Field.

Drew Barrymore was originally cast as Sidney Prescott (now played by Neve Campbell). But, due to schedule conflicts, Barrymore offered to play the much smaller role of Casey Becker.
Melissa Joan Hart auditioned for the role of Sidney Prescott.

Kate Winslet, Shannen Doherty and Charisma Carpenter were all close contenders for the part of Christine,Cotton Wears,girlfriend/fiance.. Kelly Rutherford got the part.

URBAN LEGEND-

Sarah Michelle Gellar turned down the role of Sasha due schedule conflicts. The part eventually ended up being played by Tara Reid.

JEEPERS CREEPERS-

Dominique Swain and Marla Sokoloff tried out for the role of gina phillips character,but didnt get the part.

Joey Lawrence and Jonatahan Taylor Thomas tried out for justin longs character but didnt get the part.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by XCoRyX
Joey Lawrence and Jonatahan Taylor Thomas tried out for justin longs character but didnt get the part.

Thank fucking God for that! Salva was wise in choosing reasonably unfamiliar faces to take the lead roles in Jeepers Creepers.

[XCoRyX]

Definetly...i totally agree with you on that one...i've been wondering how denise richards would have been in halloween 6 as beth,i liked mariah o brien,but since richards is a familiar face,i would love to see how she did and if she didnt badmouth it now and days.

[love broker]

That's some good info xCoryx any other tidbits?????? I am really interested in casting to and find it fun to speculate on other actors

[TheHitcher2]

-Reese Witherspoon was approached to play the lead in both Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but she turned down both films because she didn't want to do a horror film at the time (Ironic since her future husband Ryan Phillipe starred in IKWYDLS).

-Selma Blair, Katie Holmes, and Melissa Joan Hart all tried out for the part of Sidney in Scream.

-Janeane Garofalo was approached to play Gale Weathers in Scream.

-Eric Mabius (Resident Evil) was almost cast as Derek in Scream 2.

[XCoRyX]

Not yet,i havent found muh else out,hopefuly other schmoes can contribute,i also love the topic of casting.Katie Holmes definetly could have taken the role of sidney prescott well,but neve campbell did a damn well fine job so im not pissed.And if reese witherspoon was to get the lead of hewitts character in IKWYDLS it might have made it way better.

[Scully1888]

Gina Philips was great in Jeepers Creepers, but I would have LOVED to have seen Dominique Swain get the part, because she's damn gorgeous.

[XCoRyX]

i agree...i would have loved to see all of these almost actors have a shot,just to see what it would have been like you know?

[FeydRautha]

In the game "Myst III: Exile" they were going to cast a newcomer as Saavedro. Brad Dourif got the part because his agent and the lead designer/programmer are friends, and the design team are big fans of Dourif's work.

XCoryX, I think you'd make a good casting director, and it's definitely one of the cushier jobs in the industry. It pays very well, and if you get a reputation for being good at it you'll be much sought after by top directors. But the best part is you'll have more actors, agents and managers sucking up to you than you can shake a stick at: EVERYONE wants to stay in the casting director's good books!

[FilmBuff84]

I knew that Reese Witherspoon was approached for the leads in I KNOW and URBAN LEGEND, and that DREW BARRYMORE was the first choice for Sidney in SCREAM, I didn't know about Katie Holmes and Melissa Joan hart going for the role. I reckon Dominique Swain would've been cool in JEEPERS CREEPERS.

Anyway here is what I have found out.
MICHELLE PFEIFFER was offered the role of Clarice in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and the role of Catherine in BASIC INSTINCT. As we know the roles went to Jodie Foster and Sharon Stone, respectively. I think Pfeiffer pulled out of BASIC INSTINCT because of the high nudity and sexual content of the film and whilst Pfeiffer could've handled such a sexy role, but one with alot more class ala THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS or BATMAN RETURNS, I think Sharon Stone was more appropriate. I do think Pfeiffer could've done a wonderful job in SILENCE....

TARA REID was originally attached to VALENTINE. I thought maybe she was offered the role of Kate (now played by Marley Shelton) but it was infact Dorothy (now played by Jessica Capshaw). JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT was offered the role of Paige (now played by Denise Richards). As well JESSICA CAUFFIEL auditioned for the role of Paige, but ended up with the role of Lily. That part was then exteded to showcase Cauffiel.

SEAN YOUNG and ANNETTE BENING both were up for the role of Catwoman in BATMAN RETURNS. Young was apparently so desperate to get the role she auditioned in a cat suit and Bening had to pull out I think it was due to her preganancy, all I can say is thank god, because PFEIFFER pulled it off like a champ.

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR turned down the lead role in [THE IN CROWD[/B]. This was a wise chocie because the film wasn't that good and Gellar is definitely above that kind of film, plus she would've had to fo gone topless for the film, something I think Gellar would'nt of done. The role went to hottie SUSAN WARD.

[FilmBuff84]

I knew that Reese Witherspoon was approached for the leads in I KNOW and URBAN LEGEND, and that DREW BARRYMORE was the first choice for Sidney in SCREAM, I didn't know about Katie Holmes and Melissa Joan hart going for the role. I reckon Dominique Swain would've been cool in JEEPERS CREEPERS.

Anyway here is what I have found out.
MICHELLE PFEIFFER was offered the role of Clarice in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and the role of Catherine in BASIC INSTINCT. As we know the roles went to Jodie Foster and Sharon Stone, respectively. I think Pfeiffer pulled out of BASIC INSTINCT because of the high nudity and sexual content of the film and whilst Pfeiffer could've handled such a sexy role, but one with alot more class ala THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS or BATMAN RETURNS, I think Sharon Stone was more appropriate. I do think Pfeiffer could've done a wonderful job in SILENCE....

TARA REID was originally attached to VALENTINE. I thought maybe she was offered the role of Kate (now played by Marley Shelton) but it was infact Dorothy (now played by Jessica Capshaw). JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT was offered the role of Paige (now played by Denise Richards). As well JESSICA CAUFFIEL auditioned for the role of Paige, but ended up with the role of Lily. That part was then exteded to showcase Cauffiel.

SEAN YOUNG and ANNETTE BENING both were up for the role of Catwoman in BATMAN RETURNS. Young was apparently so desperate to get the role she auditioned in a cat suit and Bening had to pull out I think it was due to her preganancy, all I can say is thank god, because PFEIFFER pulled it off like a champ.

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR turned down the lead role in [/B] CROWD[/B]. This was a wise chocie because the film wasn't that good and Gellar is definitely above that kind of film, plus she would've had to fo gone topless for the film, something I think Gellar would'nt of done. The role went to hottie SUSAN WARD.

[TheHitcher2]

Though Sharon Stone was amazing in Basic Instinct, it would have been interesting to see Michelle take that role. I think she could have pulled it off nicely...and I'd want to see what effect it would have had on her career ten years later.

[XCoRyX]

Originally posted by FeydRautha
XCoryX, I think you'd make a good casting director, and it's definitely one of the cushier jobs in the industry. It pays very well, and if you get a reputation for being good at it you'll be much sought after by top directors. But the best part is you'll have more actors, agents and managers sucking up to you than you can shake a stick at: EVERYONE wants to stay in the casting director's good books!

Wow,really?You are the coolest person just for even saying that even if your just saying that....a casting director is my number 1 dream thing to do in my life,i love it with a passion,and always play around with it myself,i think i could do the job pretty well,but i would have to be taught more professional i cant seem to find anyplace that "teaches" you how to be a professional casting director...any help :)

[FeydRautha]

Originally posted by XCoRyX
...i cant seem to find anyplace that "teaches" you how to be a professional casting director...any help :)

Most film school degree courses teach every aspect of film-making, from fleshing out a story idea to writing the script to scouting and lighting the sets/locations. Casting is included. The next best way though, IMHO, would be to get a job as an assistant to a good casting director and learn everything you can from the job. At the last production company I worked for in England, even our receptionist was an aspiring producer and was working her way up to being a production assistant so she could learn on the job.

Most of my library's in storage, but if I come across any good books that have chapters on casting direction I'll forward the titles to you, if you like.

Good luck! :)

[radikill]

Compiled from previous posts:

HALLOWEEN-
Melissa Joan Hart auditioned for the role of Jamie Lloyd.

FRIDAY THE 13th-
Melissa Joan Hart auditioned for the role of Sidney Prescott.

-Selma Blair, Katie Holmes, and Melissa Joan Hart all tried out for the part of Sidney in Scream.

Anyone else seeing a pattern here?

[*Escapade*]

Oooh! I LOVE Alternate Casting!!

I can't believe no one mentions John Carpenter's original choice for Laurie: Annie Lockhart (June's daughter).

In new news (sort of), Jason Ritter replaced Brad Renfro as Will in FREDDY VS JASON.

Rebecca Gayheart went out for Maureen, Cici, AND Hallie in SCREAM 2. Ultimately, she got the minor part of Lois.

[XCoRyX]

i see the pattern radikill,melissa cant cut the cake,i cant see her in a movie espicially as sidney prescott....dont remember her face as a child for the jamie lloyd part but danielle harris is the best.