Can you picture the iconic Central Perk couch without the master of sarcasm, Matthew Perry, cracking a witty repartee as Chandler Bing? It’s like imagining a ship without its compass or a sky devoid of stars—unfathomable to those who spent most of their 90s watching the quirky tales of FRIENDS.
And for those who were engrossed in the hilarious misadventures of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, and Joey, the tragic death of Perry last year was a devastating blow. It was through Chandler that FRIENDS journeyed beyond laughter, delving into the bittersweet symphony of finding one’s footing in the restless dance of adulthood.
On that note, an intriguing tidbit emerged: Jon Favreau, the illustrious creator of The Mandalorian, once aspired to play Chandler Bing before serendipitously portraying the lovelorn millionaire Pete Becker. But, as fate would have it, Perry’s ineffable charm was destined for the role, whereas Favreau, as Monica’s amour, left an indelible mark of his own.
The Chandler Bing We Almost Got: Jon Favreau’s Near-Casting in FRIENDS
If you’re a die-hard FRIENDS fan, you probably can’t even fathom a world without Matthew Perry’s Chandler Bing. But believe it or not, there was a time when Jon Favreau, the man behind Elf, Zathura: A Space Adventure, and The Jungle Book, was reportedly interested in playing Chandler before agreeing to a smaller role on the show (via Booms Beat).
Chandler was the glue that held the group together, the jester who brought laughter and lightness to even the toughest of situations. And while Favreau is indubitably a talented actor, it’s safe to say that everything worked out for the best when Perry stepped into the role that would define his career.
According to reports, Favreau, 57, auditioned for the role of Chandler when NBC was casting for FRIENDS. It’s intriguing to think about how different the dynamic of the show would have been with him at the helm. But fate had other plans, and Favreau ended up playing Pete Becker, Monica’s perfect boyfriend, who ultimately couldn’t escape his passion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
And as for Perry, his portrayal of Chandler throughout all ten seasons of FRIENDS will live on in our hearts as one of the greatest sitcom characters ever. Unfortunately, the actor died last year at the age of 54. The Los Angeles Times confirmed the news.
The Real Reason Matthew Perry Stayed Away From Watching FRIENDS
Matthew Perry shared many similarities with his FRIENDS character. Just like Chandler Bing, the late actor was on a journey of self-discovery and growth throughout his 20s. Yet his struggles with drugs and alcohol added an extra layer of complexity to his story in the show.
For Perry, watching old episodes of NBC’s sitcom was like looking at a time capsule of his past, a painful reminder of the demons he was battling behind the scenes.
In a 2022 interview with Q with Tom Power, Perry admitted that he could see the effects of his addiction in his appearance throughout the series:
I didn’t watch the show and haven’t watched the show because I could go drinking … opiates … drinking … cocaine. Like I could tell season by season by how I looked. And I don’t think anybody else can, but I certainly could. And that’s why I don’t want to watch it because that’s what I see, that’s what I noticed when I watch it.
The metaphorical weight of his addiction was not lost on Perry, as he openly discussed his struggles with alcohol, opiates, and cocaine. The show served as a mirror for the actor’s inner turmoil, so it is no surprise he chose to avoid rewatching old episodes—who wants to relive their darkest moments over and over again?
You can stream FRIENDS on Max.
