Terry Gilliam turned down the chance to direct it…īefore the gig was offered to Mendes it was offered to the Monty Python man, but he wasn’t interested. Fortunately, they signed on the dotted line. Thora Birch needed very supportive parents…īirch was barely 17 when she accepted the role of Jane Burnham and, as a result, her parents had to approve her brief topless scene in the movie. The movie’s original cast had Jessica Biel in the role of Jane Burnham, but in the end, she had to drop out in favour a role in Aaron Spelling’s 7th Heaven.

Jessica Biel was cast, but had to drop out… Hudson missed out to Suvari for the role of Angela, while Gyllenhaal went up for the role of Ricky, a role that went to West Bentley. Kirsten Dunst, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brittany Murphy and Katie Holmes all turned it down.īoth Kate Hudson and Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the movie… The role of Angela would eventually go to American Pie star Mena Suvari, but it was offered to a few actresses before her. Lots of actresses turned down the role of Angela… It would have been quite a different film with either of those two in the starring role.

The role of Lester was offered to two stars before Kevin Spacey…Īlthough Spacey was Mendes’ choice from the off, the producer did offer the part to two other actors Tom Hanks and Chevy Chase. Now on offer as part of hmv’s awards campaign we thought we’d revisit and bring you 10 things you didn’t know about American Beauty… On the surface, they seem like a happy family, but Lester is desperately depressed and frustrated with his lot in life, a frustration that leads to an almighty mid-life crisis, a crisis that changes everything for the family and the people around them. Starring Kevin Spacey, Chris Cooper, Annette Benning, Mena Suvari and Thora Birch, it tells the story of Lester and Carolyn Burnham and their daughter Jane. It’s been 17 years since the release of American Beauty, but its power, poise, and brilliance still resonates and continues to make it an essential watch. 10 Things You Didn’t Know About… American Beauty

American beauty screenplay online