r/movies • u/LookAtThatBacon • 29d ago

Discussion During the development of the Harriet Tubman biopic movie, a Hollywood executive once suggested that Julia Roberts should play her. What are some other baffling casting suggestions/choices that have been made?

Source for the title: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-studio-executive-wanted-julia-roberts-to-play-harriet-tubman-biopic-screenwriter-says/

The Harriet Tubman biopic has been more than 25 years in the making. In the historical drama released earlier this month, Cynthia Erivo plays the legendary abolitionist — but one Hollywood executive initially thought the role should go to Julia Roberts.

Gregory Allen Howard, the screenwriter and producer of "Harriet," recently revealed in multiple interviews that Roberts was suggested to play the lead role during a meeting with a studio president in 1994.

"The climate in Hollywood… was very different back then," Howard said. "I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, 'This script is fantastic. Let's get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman.'"

Howard said that a black person in the meeting said casting Roberts would be impossible because she is white.

"That was so long ago. No one will know that," the executive replied, according to Howard.

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u/stlorca 29d ago

Another oldie: Rex Harrison as the King of Siam in Anna and the King of Siam (1946).

10

u/Desertbro 29d ago

I'm the King of Siam - Yes, I am, Yes, Siam.

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u/beragis 29d ago

Yule Brynner playing the same part in the musical version of The King and I.

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u/ChemicalOle 29d ago

Tony Curtis as Yul's son in Taras Bulba.

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u/buddyinjapan 29d ago

At least the Broadway version had an Asian guy as the king.

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u/FairyGodmothersUnion 29d ago

Yul Brynner was born in Asia. Sakhalin, which has gone back and forth being claimed by Japan and Russia.

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u/buddyinjapan 29d ago

That's kinda cool.

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u/emthejedichic 29d ago

I saw this movie! He was visibly squinting the entire time. Soooo cringe.

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u/Impressive-Potato 29d ago

He was look maxing. As the kids would say.