Reese Witherspoon became an iconic actress by starring in several movies and projects like Legally Blonde, Big Little Lies, and, Cruel Intentions. Finding fame in the 1999 movie, Witherspoon wasn’t actually going to be cast in Cruel Intentions but director Roger Kumble had other ideas.
With Ryan Phillipe in the lead role, the quest for a female lead to portray the character of Annette was on. Debating between Katie Holmes and Vinessa Shaw, the director suggested to Phillipe that they cast his then-girlfriend Witherspoon instead. The task wasn’t easy as Roger Kumble revealed that he had to get Reese Witherspoon drunk and beg on his knees!
When The Director Had To Get Reese Witherspoon Drunk
Cruel Intentions depicts the tale of a guy sleeping with the headmaster’s daughter to win a bet against her stepsister. The twist in the tale begins when he starts to actually fall in love with Annette as the movie unfolds.
With an intriguing story at hand, it was of paramount importance that proper actors be cast in the movie. Ryan Phillipe was cast in the lead role with Sarah Michelle Geller in the mix but the hunt for the actress who could portray the role of Annette was on. Director Roger Kumble had a tough time searching for the actress since the studio wanted Katie Holmes for the role but he wanted Vinessa Shaw for Annette. It wasn’t until one day Ryan Phillipe and Roger Kumble were hanging out that the director had a brilliant idea.
Talking to Cosmopolitan, the director revealed that he wanted someone with a strength of character and Katie Homles wasn’t cut out for it. So he turned towards Ryan Phillipe and asked “What about your girlfriend?”
“This was early Katie, and I thought we needed someone with a little more strength of character. And we just couldn’t agree. And then, literally, I was hanging out with Ryan one night and I was like, ‘What about your girlfriend?'”
Ryan Phillipe was dating Reese Witherspoon at that time and Kumble and Phillipe thought that it would be the perfect plan if they could get Witherspoon drunk.
Roger Kumble Begged On His Knees To Reese Witherspoon
As the interview continued, Kumble stated that he and Phillipe went with Reese Witherspoon for dinner and they ended up getting drunk. Revealing to Cosmopolitan, the director revealed that he literally got on his knees and begged Witherspoon to say yes to the role!
“So, basically, we took Reese out to dinner to get her drunk, and we ended up getting drunk. And I literally got down on my knees and begged her: ‘Please, it’ll be 15 days, you’ll be great.’ And Reese was like, ‘I’ll do it. But we need to work on the character.’ I’m like, ‘Anything, anything, anything.'”
In the end, Reese Witherspoon ended up making the character of Annette stronger than before and the chemistry between Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe was highly acclaimed. Cruel Intentions received a rating of 6.8/10 on IMDB and an average of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes but became a cult classic for the people. The 1999 movie is available to rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
Source: Cosmopolitan
