Now and Then is a touching coming-of-age movie that reunites childhood friends Samantha, Roberta, Teeny, and Chrissy as adults, sparking nostalgic memories of their shared past. Set in the summer of 1970, the film beautifully explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, creating a heartwarming and relatable story. Surprisingly, Leonardo DiCaprio was linked to the project.
In honor of the film’s 20th anniversary, as it originally graced theaters on October 20, 1995, ET spoke with screenwriter Marlene King to uncover some delightful insights about this timeless teen drama. One jaw-dropping revelation emerged during the discussion: Leonardo DiCaprio was originally slated for a role in the movie.
Why Did Leonardo DiCaprio Turn Down The Role
Marlene King revealed that every role in the cherished coming-of-age film was filled with their first-choice actors, except for a single exception. According to Marlene King, there was one role in which Leonardo DiCaprio was initially set to portray the Vietnam vet. However, unforeseen circumstances arose, leading to a scheduling conflict that prevented his involvement. The revelation left her in awe, acknowledging the sheer unpredictability of the situation.
“The one role that originally was different was Leonardo DiCaprio was going to play the Vietnam vet, but something happened and he had a conflict,” she revealed. “I know, it’s crazy!”
Even though DiCaprio’s supposed “conflict,” which might have been the 1995 drama Total Eclipse, prompted some investigation, King expressed contentment with the brilliant replacement they eventually discovered for the role.
As a last-minute replacement, Brendan Fraser stepped in for DiCaprio, as divulged by the Pretty Little Liars showrunner. Despite the change, Fraser’s exceptional performance reassured everyone that the decision was indeed a favorable one.
What Role Was Leonardo DiCaprio Supposed To Play
When King disclosed DiCaprio’s initial involvement in Now and Then, it naturally led to the assumption that he might have been destined for the role of Scott Womer, the quintessential boy next door.
Nonetheless, the iconic role of Scott Womer was ultimately portrayed by Devon Sawa, who reunited with his Casper co-star, Christina Ricci. Sawa effortlessly won hearts, becoming the cinematic crush with whom we all yearned for an awkward yet heartwarming first kiss.
“[Devon and Christina’s kiss] is still one of my favorite scenes, and that was like a real memory,” King said of the film. “That was just like my first kiss when he kisses Roberta. That was like right out of my life’s story and was so true to life.”
Did King foresee that Sawa would become the heartthrob? King responded with laughter, stating that they didn’t anticipate the impact Sawa would have. Their decision to cast him was driven by his undeniable cuteness, as she had seen his chemistry with the lead actress in Casper and believed they would work well together in the film.
Source: ET Online
