Thursday 28 March 2013

NATALIE WOOD: PROJECTS NOT INCURRED


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"A MEDAL FOR BENNY"1944

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: ?

That spring, as Natalie was completing kindergarten. Maria Gurdin toyed with the idea of moving to Hollywood. "Maybe she knew Pichel was doing a picture," suggests Olga. Pichel was directing a movie in June, a was drama with Dorothy lamour, called A Medall for Benny, as Maria almost certainly knew from his letters to Natalie. The story, by John Steinbeck, included the minor character of a young Mexican boy.
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"GIANT" 1956

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Carolyn Craig

Yet another still unknown, Carolyn Craig, won the role. Fran Bennett tested - and was given Judy Benedict, instead. But neither Lacey or any other role for Vera Miles and... well, Natalie Wood in a second movie with Jimmy Dean would have sent out all the wrong signals to fans of Rebel Without A Cause.
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"SAINT JOAN" 1957

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Jean Seberg

Natalie was the perfect age for the 19-year-old Maid of Orleans - she shot her 37th film, Marjorie Morningstar, instead.
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Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Dorothy Malone

The queen of the Warner lot (as songwriter Gwen Davis put it: Natalie Wood and Tab Wouldn’t) but no matter the huge fee she was offered, she refused the Diana Barrymore story as her co-star would be Errol Flynn - alleged, if never named, as the “Mr Showbiz” who drugged, stripped, whipped and raped her in his hotel suite in 1955.
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Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Audrey Hepburn

She blamed it on Jack Warner´s failure to consider her for truly mature parts or to let her work with any directors beyond the usual studio hacks. She couldn´t understandn why Warner had to "borrow" Audrey Hepburn for Fred Zinnemann´s The Nun´s Story, for example, when they already had Natalie Wood under contract.
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"THE MIRACLE" 1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Carrol Baker

Add to this some hammy overacting from the miscast Carroll Baker, who is supposed to be Spanish, of all things.(Natalie Wood, who turned down the role, would have been a far better choice, and Sophia Loren might have been even better).
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"A SUMMER PLACE"1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Sandra Dee

A February 1959 Hollywood Reporter news item reported that the role of Molly, which was played by Sandra Dee, was "meant for" Natalie Wood. According to a modern source, Wood later regretted turning down the part.    

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El proyecto de esta película Tab Hunter y Natalie Wood, cambió por completo al negarse Natalie a participar en ella.
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"IMITATION OF LIFE"  1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Sandra Dee & Susan Kohner

Natalie Wood was first considered for the part of Turner's daughter, but eventually Universal went with its own contract player, Sandra Dee, whom they were grooming for stardom. Two other popular releases in 1959, Gidget and A Summer Place, would make her a star and contribute to Imitation of Life's box office success.
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"THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS"1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Barbara Rush,

Young Philadelphians is a reasonable film. I love many of the 'bit' actors. Otto Kruger, Alexis Smith, Brian Keith, Robert Vaughan. The part of Joan was supposed to be played by Natalie Wood, but she turned it down. Rush and Newman were friends, so he campaigned to get her the part.
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"THE DEVIL´S DECIPLE"  1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Janette Scott

The film also marks the return of Natalie Wood to Warner Brothers after the studio suspended her in 1958 for refusing to take a role in (depending on reports) The Devil's Disciple (1959), with Kirk Douglas, or The Young Philadelphians (1959), with Paul Newman.
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"THIS EARTH IS MINE"  1959

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Jean Simmons

Natalie refused to be loaned out to Universal - and sat out her suspension until Warren Beatty and Splendor In the Grass restored her fame - and ruined her marriage. Not that Beatty made a move until after she and RJ were divorced.
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"THE UNFORGIVEN"1960

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Audrey Hepburn

Contemporary news items listed a number of actors and actresses who were considered for parts in the film: Richard Burton, Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum (probably for the role of "Cash Zachary"), Eva Le Gallienne (for the role of "Matilda Zachary") and Natalie Wood (for the role of "Rachel Zachary").
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"THE ENTERTAINER" 1960

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Joan Plowright

Natalie "desperately" wanted to accept but Warners would not let her go to London and co-star with Laurence Olivier, having only just won her back to work in Cash McCall, the studio's price for allowing her to make Splendor in the Grass. Not sure why UK director Tony Richardson felt that Olivier's old time music-hall comic would have an American daughter...
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"PARRISH" 1961

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Connie Stevens

Ironically, the next offer was the project that had first brought Warren Beatty to Hollywood - only now the guy was played by the jellybaby Troy Donahue. Natalie tore the script up. (Not easy unless you're in a real snit).
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"TERM OF TRIAL" 1962

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Sarah Miles

Wood turned down the opportunity to co-star opposite Laurence Olivier.

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Laurence Olivier perdió por tercera vez "tuvo que esperar quince años para poder trabajar con Natalie, a la que consideraba heredera de su ex esposa Vivien Leigh, finalmente trabajaron para la televisión en la obra LA GATA SOBRE EL TEJADO DE CINC".
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"ROME  ADVENTURE"  1962

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Suzanne Pleshette

Natalie Wood was the first choice to play the female lead of Prudence Bell. She had a writer friend of hers read the script and once he confirmed her fear that it wasn't up to snuff she decided it was a good time to go ahead with a tonsillectomy that she'd been putting off; the part was then given to Suzanne Pleshette.
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"CHARADE"1963

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Audrey Hepburn

When Cary Grant grew customarily unsure of whether or not he should do the romantic suspense thriller, Wood was seriously considered as the leading lady for a younger male co-star.
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"LILITH" 1964

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Jean Seberg

Other actresses considered for the title character included Yvette Mimieux, Sarah Miles, and Diane Cilento (the first choice of J.R. Salamanca, who's novel was the basis for the movie). Natalie Wood was also approached for the role, but was not interested.
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"A RAGE TO LIVE" 1964

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Suzanne Pleshette

Producer Walter Mirisch had  first planned the John O'Hara  novel as a Natalie Wood vehicle in 1959 - to follow their West Side Story.

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El famoso productor Walter Mirisch perseguía a Natalie desde 1959 para que interpretara esta historia extraída de la novela de John  O´Hara.
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THE UNSAKABLE MOLLY BROWN (1964)

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Debbie Reynols

Natalie Wood, the producers' original choice for the title role, later played a character based on the life to Molly Brown

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Para encarnar a la excéntrica millonaria superviviente del hundimiento del "Titanic" en 1912, se pensó en Natalie, pero esta no le interesó el guión, dejando el camino libre a Debbie Reynols, que hizo una
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"MARNIE" 1964

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Tippi Hedren

Campaigned for the roles that went

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Otro papel rechazado por Natalie a pesar de que su director era Alfred Hitchcock.
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"OF HUMAN BONDAGE" 1964

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Kim Novak

Kim Novak in her days of high stardom worked with among others Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon, Rita Hayworth, James Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood, who credited the fine actress with teaching him more of film acting than anyone else in Hollywood.
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"THE COLLECTOR" 1965

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Samantha Eggar

Samantha Eggar, who only got the role after Natalie Wood turned it down. Wood went off to make Inside Daisy Clover, and Eggar was nominated for an Academy Award. William Wyler, one of the studio system's best directors, stands at his usual distance from the material, which has a rather stage-bound feel and lacks a real sense of claustrophobia.
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"BUNNY LAKE IS MISSSING" 1965

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Carol Linley

Columbia Pictures wanted Otto Preminger to cast Natalie Wood as Ann Lake, who was eager to play the role, but Preminger insisted upon using Carol Lynley.
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"THE GREATETS STORY EVER TOLD" 1965

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: ?

Campaigned for the roles that went

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Esta superproducción sobre la vida y muerte de Jesús, estaba pensada en que el todo Hollywood interviniera en ella, finalmente cayeron del reparto: Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood y muchos de los nombres mas conocidos del mundillo del cine.
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"BONNIE AND CLYDE"1967

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Faye Dunaway

In a 1968 interview, Warren Beatty mentioned that his last conversation with ex-girlfriend Natalie Wood took place in the summer of 1966 when he tried unsuccessfully to get her to play Bonnie Parker in his film. Later that evening, she attempted to take her own life and was discovered by her live-in housekeeper.
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Barefoot in The Park 1967

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Jane Fonda

The film's screenplay was written by Simon. Gene Saks directed Robert Redford, reprising his Broadway role of Paul, and Jane Fonda, who replaced the play's Elizabeth Ashley. Mildred Natwick reprises her stage role as the bride's mother, Charles Boyer is featured as the eccentric upstairs neighbor, and Herb Edelman reprises his stage role as a telephone installer.
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"THE GRADUATE" 1967

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Katharine Ross

Shortly after hiring Nichols, Larry Turman started a wish list for the roles of Benjamin Braddock and Elaine Robinson.
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Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad, 1967.

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Barbara Harris

Natalie was announced two years earlier for, according to the sales pitch: "This motion picture will probably do as much for mothers as Moby Dick did for whales... "

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Desde 1965 se venía anunciando su rodaje con Natalie de protagonista.
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"WOMAN TIMES SEVEN" 1967

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Shirley MacLaine 

The first choice for the lead, Natalie Wood turned the film down.

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Natalie rechazó a las siete protagonistas "Edith, Minou, Eva, Juana, Linda, María Teresa, María y Paulette en una comedia excesivamente débil del director italiano; Vittorio de Sica. Shirley MacLaine interpretó a las siete féminas.
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La piscine, "The swing pool" 1969.

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Romy Schneider

Natalie Wood, Leslie Caron, Angie Dickinson, Delphine Seyrig, Monica Vitti were unavailable or wanted their favourite cameraman or refused swimsuit scenes. (Difficult with that title). Alain Delon said: "What if I ask Romy?" For her, it was a gift from her god. He re-launched his on-off lover's fading career.
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Women in Love  1969

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Jennie Linden

Natalie Wood, the only Hollywoodian considered for Ursula.

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En su etapa de retiro londinense Natalie frecuentó los círculos intelectuales de La City; teniendo la oportunidad de interpretar esta escandalosa película. La llamada de Hollywood para interpretar "Bob, Carol, Ted y Alice", frustó el proyecto.
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Laughter in the Dark, 1969.

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Anna Karina

If he couldn't get his ex-wife Brigitte Bardot for his 1964 plans for Vladimir Nabokov's novel, French realisateur Roger Vadim wanted Natalie opposite Richard Burton (who was selected and quickly sacked by UK director Tony Richardson in his '69 version). Nat, however, was into a two year sabatical.
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"GOODBAY COLUMBUS" 1969

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Ali MacGraw

One of several movies that Natalie turned down when she put her film career on hold while attending UCLA.
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"BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KIL"1969

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Katharine Ross

Natalie Wood was first offered the role of "Etta Place" but was forced to turn down the role due to her pregnancy.
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"LOVE STORY"  1970

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Ali MacGraw

Campaigned for the roles that went

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Esta producción que hizo derramar mares de lagrimas, tenía que interpretarlo Natalie, sus estudios en la universidad se lo impidió.
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"DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE" 1970

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Carrie Snodgress

Natalie turned down the role of 'Tina' and accepted the role of 'Carol' in "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" instead.

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Natalie rechazó el papel de "Tina" y aceptó el de "Carol" en "Bob Carol Ted y Alice" en su lugar. La actriz que lo interpretó: Carrie Snodgress.
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"CARNAL KNOWLEDGE" 1971

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Ann-Margret

Mike Nichols had spent six months looking for the right girl to play the part of Bobbie. He had considered and rejected Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda, Dyan Cannon, and Natalie Wood.

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Mike Nichols había pasado seis meses buscando a la chica adecuada para interpretar el papel de Bobby.
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"CABARET" 1972

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Liza Minnelli

Due as a third teaming with Natalie Wood when her fiance Richard Gregson was producing Redford's Downhill Racer in 1969.

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Natalie Wood was reportedly considered for the lead role, but Liza Minnelli was a huge star and was cast.
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"THE GREAT GATSBY" 1974

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Mia Farrow

Was offered the role of Daisy in The Great Gatsby (1974). At the time, it had been 5 years since Natalie had made a film. She was asked to do a screen test, and felt so offended that she withdrew from the role. After this, Natalie was no longer offered plum roles due to the fact that she had been forgotten after years away from acting, despite being younger than popular actresses of the time such as Jane Fonda.
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"THE TOWERING INFERNO" 1974

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Faye Dunaway

Turned down the role that went to Faye Dunaway in "THE TOWERING INFERNO" (1974) because she thought the script was "mediocre.".

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Para el rodaje de esta superproducción, Natalie volvería a coincidir con Robert Wagner, pero al enterarse de que estaba embarazada de su segunda hija rechazó el proyecto añadiendo que era un guión "mediocre".
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"THE GODFATHER II" 1974

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Talia Shire

"I didn't wear my contacts - I was afraid of seeing him standing beside the camera," said Coppola's sister, Talia Shire, about her test Seeking a film debut, she had plenty of competition: Julie Gregg (married off to Sonny, instead), Peggy Marshall, Maria Tucci, Natalie Wood. Nepotism had nothing to do with it, swore Talia. "My test was picked by Bob Evans. He had no idea I was Francis' sister.
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The Other Side of The Mountain 1975

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Marilyn Hassett

Liza Minnelli Barbra Streisand and Natalie Wood was considered for the role of Jill Kinmont.
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Network, 1976.

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Faye Dunaway

Trashing director Sidney Lumet's choice of Vanessa Redgrave, the film's Oscar-winning writer Paddy Chayefsky wanted Natalie Wood as his TV ratings-obsessed programming chief, Diana Christensen. "If you're going to hustle, at least do it right." Faye got the Oscar.
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"I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN"  1977

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Kathleen Quinlan & Bibi Andersson

Had planned to produce as well as star in I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN (1977), but the leading role of Deborah went to Kathleen Quinlan by the time the film was made.
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"SUPERMAN" 1978

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Margot Kidder

Among the actresses who screen tested for the role of Lois Lane were Natalie Wood, Anne Archer, Lesley Ann Warren, Deborah Raffin.
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"NORMA RAE" 1979

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Sally Field

Was one of the many actresses considered for the title role in Norma Rae (1979) which went to Sally Field.

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Otro buen guión rechazado por Natalie Wood.
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"THE BLUE LAGOON"  1980

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Brooke Shields.

Columbia Pictures secured the film rights for the Henry De Vere Stacpoole novel, "The Blue Lagoon" in the mid-1950s, with Natalie Wood in the role of Emmeline Lestrange. However, the project was shelved for many years and wasn't filmed until the late 1970s and the film The Blue Lagoon, released in 1980, ultimately starred Brooke Shields.
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"ORDINARY PEOPLE" 1980

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Mary Tyler Moore

She really wanted the lead in Ordinary People. Mary Tyler Moore played a fantasic award-nominating part in the role, but I think Natalie Wood might've won the Oscar had she gotten that part.
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"THE MIRROR CRACK´D" 1981

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Elizabeth Taylor

Natalie Wood was the first choice for Marina Rudd but turned the role down after disagreements over cast billing and the portrayal of the character itself.

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Natalie tenía firmado este proyecto sobre una novela de Agatha Christie´s.
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"SOPHIE´S CHOICE" 1982

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted:  Meryl Streep

Before Meryl Streep was cast, Magda Vásáryová was to play the role of Sophie. Natalie Wood was considered for the role of Sophie.

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Para su vuelta al cine Natalie, tenía varios guiones para despúes del rodaje de "Proyecto Brainstorm" y su debut en teatro con "Anastasia", uno de ellos era esta compleja historia.
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"FRANCES" 1982

Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Jessica Lange

Around 1966, Natalie Wood was attached to star in a biopic of Frances Farmer. The project then stalled and wasn't filmed until the 1980s.

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Alrededor de 1966 Natalie firmo contrato para esta película biográfica de Frances Farmer. Luego, el proyecto se estancó y no se filmó hasta después de la muerte de Natalie Wood.
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"THELMA & LOUISE"  1991 Natalie Wood Candidate; Finally Interpreted: Geena Davis Callie Khouri first conceived the project in 1979. She was hired by Ridley Scott for a project called "Thelma & Louise" around 1980. Ridley Scott was going to produce, and Khouri was appointed as director. They were turned down by many studios, until MGM purchased the rights in 1981. But Khouri wasn't ready to direct the film, so Scott was going to direct himself. The movie was originally announced in 1981 for a 1983 release. Originally, Scott and Khouri wanted Natalie Wood for Thelma and Tuesday Weld as Louise. However, Wood died in 1981 and Weld quickly dropped out from the project, so this would never come to pass. A number of filmmakers were attached to Khouri's script including 'Brian de Palma' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Sarandon y Geena Davis, ninguna de las dos actrices fueron la primera opción del director Ridley Scott ni de la guionista Callie Khouri. El proyecto empezó a andar a principios de los años ochenta y las primeras protagonistas iban a ser Natalie Wood (Thelma) y Tuesday Weld (Louise). Tras la fatídica muerte de Wood, en 1981, durante un viaje en barco con su marido, el actor Robert Wagner, Weld se apartó del proyecto y este quedó en saco roto hasta 1988. Ridley Scott volvió a retomar el proyecto y empezó a pensar de nuevo en sus protagonistas femeninas. Mia Farrow, Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Liza Minnelli, Jessica Lange, Isabella Rossellini y Jodie Foster fueron algunas de las tentadas para interpretar a Thelma; Michelle Pfeiffer, Melanie Griffith, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Goldie Hawn, Anjelica Huston o Sigourney Weaver, entre las consideradas para el papel de Louise.
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