When we talk about Nicholas Sparks’ romantic novel, The Notebook, which got turned into a cult classic movie in 2004 by the same name, we can only imagine Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, as the lead characters. However, to everybody’s surprise, the two leading actors almost lost their roles to Tom Cruise and Britney Spears.
The 2004 film from Nick Cassavetes, which reads the story of Allie and Noah as written by Nicholas Sparks, earned $117M at the box office. But would it be the same if Tom Cruise and Britney Spears appeared in the lead roles instead of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams?
The Notebook Almost Starred Tom Cruise And Britney Spears
Nicholas Sparks’ romantic novel The Notebook enchanted its audience with its emotional storyline. Further, following the success of the classic novel, Nick Cassavetes came up with the idea to turn audiences’ favorite novel into a film adaptation. Thus, the director brought the all-time favorite beloved movie, The Notebook in 2004, featuring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as the lead characters.
Interestingly, although Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams looked perfect as Noah and Allie, they weren’t the initial choice for the roles. Evidently, both actors nearly missed out on their opportunity to be household names, as the movie nearly starred Tom Cruise and Britney Spears in the leading roles.
Initially, when The Notebook was being eyed by Steven Spielberg, he chose Tom Cruise and Britney Spears for their experience in the industry and already attained fame. However, later, when the directorial responsibility went to Nick Cassavetes, he took an artistic risk and chose Gosling and McAdams over the Hollywood A-listers, for the role of Noah and Allie.
Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams Lead $117M The Notebook
Evidently, Nick Cassavetes’ decision paid off well, not just for him but also for Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Rising to fame and turning into household names following their appearance in the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, Gosling, and McAdams went on to reprise several critically acclaimed roles in their career.
Further, Nick Cassavetes‘ 2004 movie, The Notebook turned into a cult classic within three years of its release, just like the book itself, and earned praises and accolades from audiences and critics. Adored by fans worldwide, Gosling and McAdams’ movie earned a staggering $117M at the box office against its $29M budget, thus turning into an epic blockbuster.
The story of a young couple in 1940s North Carolina, who were madly in love but were torn apart by their social classes, earned the love and respect of fans for its relatability. Certainly, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams had a prominent role in the success of the film, as the duo turned out to be the best choice for the leading roles of Noah and Allie. The movie simply fell into place with its stellar cast, on-screen chemistry, and Nicholas Sparks’ magical storyline.
The Notebook is streaming on Netflix.
Source: The List
