Misery

 On this date in 1990, "Misery" was released.

The part of Paul Sheldon was originally offered to William Hurt (twice), then Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman, and Robert Redford, but they all turned it down. Warren Beatty was interested in the role, wanting to turn him into a less passive character, but eventually had to drop out as post-production of "Dick Tracy" (1990) extended. Eventually someone suggested James Caan, who agreed to play the part.

Caan commented that he was attracted by how Sheldon was a role unlike any other of his, and that "being a totally reactionary character is really much tougher."

Jessica Lange and Barbra Streisand were up for the role of Annie Wilkes. Anjelica Huston was offered the role, and was interested, but was unable to accept it due to her commitment to "The Grifters" (1990). Bette Midler turned down the role because she thought it was too violent. She later called herself "stupid" for her decision. According to director Rob Reiner, it was the screenwriter William Goldman who suggested that Kathy Bates, then unknown, should portray Annie Wilkes.

Caan and Bates clashed over their acting methods. Caan believed in as little rehearsal as possible. Bates, with her theater background, was used to practicing a lot. When she commented to Reiner that Caan was not attempting to relate or listen to her, Reiner told her to use that frustration toward her character.

IF YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MOVIE, READ ON; IF YOU DON'T, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED: In the original novel, Annie Wilkes severs one of Paul Sheldon's feet with an axe. Goldman loved the scene and argued for it to be included, but Reiner insisted that it be changed so that she only breaks his ankles. Goldman subsequently wrote that this was the correct decision as the visual depiction of an amputation would cause the audience to hate Annie instead of sympathizing with her madness. Caan's fake legs were molded out of gelatin. Armatures with wire were inserted into the prosthetic ankles so that after Annie hit them with the sledgehammer, they would bend at the desired, gruesome angles. There were holes so that Caan could slip his real legs up to the knee. After seeing the scene play out at a screening, Caan turned to Reiner and said, "You're a sick f**k."