It is pure alchemy when a show like The Bear not only entices viewers with its mouthwatering storyline but also seasons its cast with a sprinkle of stardom. Certainly, in its unrelenting quest to serve up a stellar second season, Christopher Storer’s series introduced one of Hollywood’s finest, Jamie Lee Curtis.
Taking on the mantle of Donna Berzatto, she donned the role of the mother of Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy. Meanwhile, the shadow of what-ifs loomed as Michelle Pfeiffer, once in the running for the role, bypassed the opportunity, leaving fans to ruminate over her menu of roles not taken that already included flicks like The Silence of the Lambs and Pretty Woman.
As 2024 Emmy experts make their predictions, there is a growing chorus of support for Curtis’ The Bear role, which is increasing the likelihood that an Emmy will be awarded.
The Emmy That Could’ve Been: Michelle Pfeiffer’s Almost Role in The Bear
It seems like Michelle Pfeiffer has a knack for making some rather questionable choices with her films. The actress, 66, reportedly turned down a number of big roles in the early 1990s, including those in Pretty Woman, Basic Instinct, Sleepless in Seattle, Thelma & Louise, and, of course, Silence of the Lambs (see The Independent).
Another in a string of missed opportunities for the talented actress comes in the form of turning down a key role in the hit series The Bear.
FXPKnown for its stellar cast and gripping storylines, the series was set to feature Pfeiffer in the role of Donna Berzatto, the mother of one of the main characters. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the role fell into the lap of Hollywood veteran Jamie Lee Curtis (casting director Jeanie Bacharach told Vulture).
And it seems like Pfeiffer’s loss may just be Curtis’ gain, as recently, Emmy experts have already predicted a win for the latter in the category of Best Comedy Guest Actress.
While Pfeiffer may have missed out on a potentially career-defining role in The Bear, Curtis has swooped in and stolen the show. The casting process was not without its hurdles, with doubts lingering over whether Curtis would even consider a role in a TV series. Bacharach shared with Vulture:
Jamie Lee was on the list from the beginning. But it was during the whole lead-up to the Oscars, and it was sort of like, Yeah, yeah, sure. Let’s keep talking about Jamie Lee, but, like, come on — she’s going to win an Oscar.
But as luck would have it, everything fell into place and Curtis snagged the role that Pfeiffer had to pass on. Bacharach stated:
[Pfeiffer] was a huge fan of the show and really, really considered it. We went back and forth and back and forth, and ultimately her schedule didn’t allow for it.
And it looks like the Batman Returns actress may have lost out on a golden opportunity with The Bear as that could have led to her first Emmy win.
The Bear Role Rejection: Fans Discuss Michelle Pfeiffer’s Choice
Fans of Michelle Pfeiffer took to social media to express their disappointment, with many citing her past decisions to turn down roles in iconic films such as Silence of the Lambs and Thelma & Louise. It seems like history has repeated itself, as Pfeiffer’s name is added to the list of missed opportunities with The Bear’s role.
Some people even fault Jamie Lee Curtis for doing a “terrible” job as Donna in The Bear, while others are convinced that Pfeiffer would have nailed this role.
Let’s check out some fans’ comments:
The role of Donna was also extended to Melanie Griffith, who also turned it down (via EW). That is when the co-casting directors decided to go with their original choice and cast Curtis. The Bear’s third season premiered on June 26, 2024, and the show has been renewed for a fourth season (see Forbes).
But that will not stop us from wondering how Pfeiffer might have handled Donna Berzatto’s nuclear meltdown during Season 2. Likely to be astounding! Her versatility as an actress allows her to play both Catwoman and Elvira Hancock with equal skill. Nevertheless, Curtis also did a fantastic job, so it is not worth dwelling on what might have been.
The Bear is streaming on Hulu.
