MovieChat Forums > Misery (1990) Discussion > Warren Beatty as Paul Sheldon?

Warren Beatty as Paul Sheldon?

posted 6 months ago by Callahan7 (911)
15 replies | jump to latest

I like this film. I thought Paul Sheldon might have been better with a different actor based on James Caan's previous work. He was usually a tough guy, funny, and volatile.

From Trivia:

"According to William Goldman's book "Four Screenplays," the role of Paul Sheldon was offered to Warren Beatty, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, William Hurt (twice), Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Robert Redford, Denzel Washington, and Bruce Willis, all of whom declined. Willis, however, would later play the role years later on Broadway."

I have heard that Warren Beatty considered accepting the role but was put off by the hobbling scene. He thought about it and turned down the role. I don't know if this is true but I have heard this before.

James Caan was good. Not as great as Kathy Bates but he was pretty good.

Would Warren Beatty have been a better fit as Paul Sheldon? Or another actor?

[–] Anotherday (7046) 6 months ago

I don't think Beatty would have been good. Redford possibly.

[–] Callahan7 (911) 6 months ago

Why not Warren Beatty?

Yes, Robert Redford would have probably been good in the role. James Caan may have looked at this role as a stretch. He did well, but perhaps another actor would have been better.

[–] Anotherday (7046) 6 months ago

Personally, I find Beatty to be a wet rag when he's on screen. He's fine, but not someone I could see doing the hobbling scene convincingly.

[–] Callahan7 (911) 6 months ago

"Personally, I find Beatty to be a wet rag when he's on screen."

What? Why? That seems like an ad hominem to me.

jacob mentioned that Caan was in a down period in the late 80's. This is true.

Look, movie fans, I'm not saying James Caan was bad. He was very good. From his Wiki page-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Caan

"Caan was planning to make an action film in Italy, but then heard Rob Reiner was looking for a leading man in his adaptation of Stephen King's Misery (1990). Since the script for Misery called for the male lead, Paul Sheldon, to spend most of his time lying in bed tormented by his nurse, the role was turned down by many of Hollywood's leading actors before Caan accepted."

I have heard talk over the years that Warren Beatty really liked the book and thought about accepting the role. He was one of the first, if not the first, actor they wanted for Paul Sheldon.

After receiving the screenplay he turned it down largely because of the hobbling scene.

William Hurt was offered the role twice so he must have seriously considered accepting the role the first time.

[–] Anotherday (7046) 6 months ago

It's a opinion of him as a performer. I don't care for his performances. That's all.

[–] Callahan7 (911) 6 months ago

[deleted]

[–] Anotherday (7046) 6 months ago

You asked the question and I answered. Call it an insult. I'm not a fan of Warren Beaty like you are. Oh well. You were looking for an opinion and you didn't care for the response. That speaks more of you than him.

[–] Callahan7 (911) 6 months ago

Fair enough. You don't have to be a Warren Beatty fan. I am not a fan but I think he has been very good in certain roles. I think he would have been a good choice for this role. Fun to discuss how different actors would be if they were cast.

Perhaps my reply as a little harsh. It was deleted.

[–] BKB (6171) 6 months ago

Nah.. I'm cool with James Caan

[–] jacotodd47 (1023) 6 months ago

Well, rightfully so, the people putting this movie together went thru the entire list before they got to James Caan. At that point in time, which would have been around 1988-89, Caan had ruined his reputation in Hollywood. "Misery" ended up being his comeback film. So, was he the right guy? Well, I don't think Beatty was right. I could see Gene Hackman. He is the only one on the above list that stands out to me. However, as it turned out, James Caan was fine. I thought he played the role just right. It's not a case of well they should have went with this guy or that guy. Caan was fine.

[–] BKB (6171) 6 months ago

Maybe Blumhouse and DGG will get a hold of this and reboot it and instead, use a black man for the part of Paul Sheldon to stay in synch with today's Politics??

[–] Callahan7 (911) 6 months ago

Not a big fan of remakes BKB. Sometimes they work. The Thing (1982) is an example.

Once again everyone- James Caan was very good. Just asking.

[–] ecarle (14979) 6 months ago

In the book, Annie chopped Pauls foot off. Beatty said, "Ill play that, but the guy would be a loser for the rest of his life." They changed the script to breaking the foot. Goldman said, "Beatty never said no...he is still deciding years after the film came out."

Caan was having trouble getting work because of previous drug issues. He said to get this role, "I will pee in a cup for you" to prove he was clean. It didnt matter..so many male stars said no the producers welcomed Caan. He was right for the role -- a physical guy trapped, a guy strong enough to survive...

[–] Melton (2307) 6 months ago

Yeah Caan is perfect in the role. He nails every micro-reaction with absolute authenticity.

Rain Man works because Hoffman is able to bounce off Cruise’s brilliantly played protagonist. Same thing here, Bates shines because we’re with Caan and his suffering every step of the way.

Of course, we have to thank Rob Reiner for eliciting those performances and bringing the whole symphony together. I consider Misery his masterpiece.

[–] Ismailov (139) 3 months ago

IMO Beatty gives off a "larger than life" personality to his roles: a comic book hero (Dick Tracy), a criminal that was getting romanticized in his own time (Clyde Barrow), a radical journalist who got to witness the October Revolution (John Reed), a politician whose shocking honesty makes him a viable Presidential candidate (Bulworth), a quarterback ready for the Superbowl (Heaven Can Wait), etc.

Paul Sheldon is a guy who has written light romance novels for a living. He seems like a pretty standard human being otherwise, and I think James Caan did a good job portraying that, providing plenty of contrast with Annie obsessing over him. Caan also looks more like an average Joe, whereas Beatty looked like a fashion model who has to fend off women.