As if? More like, what if? In an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter,” Paul Rudd revealed two characters he originally hoped to play in the hit 1990s movie “Clueless.”
Which ‘Clueless’ Roles Did Paul Rudd Really Want?
The “Ant-Man” actor’s breakout role in the cult classic teen comedy was Cher’s activist stepbrother-turned-love interest, Josh. However, Rudd initially vied for the parts of Christian and Murray. “I remember reading [the script] and thinking, ‘Wait a minute, this is a gay character who’s also the coolest character in the movie? I’ve never seen this before, and it’s the most interesting part,'” he said of Christian.
Paul Rudd’s ‘Clueless’ Journey
According to “THR,” Rudd wasn’t aware that Murray was written as a Black character. “Clueless” director Amy Heckerling allowed him to audition for both Christian and Josh. He added, “After the audition was done, I was not on the phone with my agents like, ‘Did I get it? Did I get it?'” Ultimately, the roles of Christian and Murray went to Justin Walker and Donald Faison, respectively.
Rudd’s easygoing attitude served him well—he has become one of Hollywood’s A-list stars since his classic “Clueless” turn. Still, the New Jersey native is well aware of the onscreen projects that didn’t turn out as he had hoped.
Getty“I think Tina Fey said it best when she was like, sometimes you do something, and you thought the script was great and it really works out, and then you’re watching it, and all of a sudden the credits come up, and you go, ‘Wow, that one shrunk in the wash.’ I’ve been in several things that have shrunk in the wash,” he said. However, by mainstream Hollywood standards, it’s safe to say “Clueless” is not one of them. The teen comedy became a pop culture phenomenon after its release in 1995, turning several of its cast members—including Rudd, Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Stacey Dash, Faison, and Breckin Meyer—into instant stars.
In 2015, the year that marked the film’s 20th anniversary, Rudd fondly reflected with “NME” on its lasting cultural impact. He said, “I think it’s a clever movie and it’s well made — Amy Heckerling did a great job with it. The fact that it’s [based on] ‘Emma’ means the actual story is something that’s held up over the years. It just struck a chord, I think, with that generation. When it came out, it had been several years since there was a movie for teenagers. It didn’t talk down to them, and it kind of captured their world in some ways.” “Clueless” was adapted from Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, “Emma.”
Paul Rudd’s Power Moves
Although the New Jersey native didn’t originally vie for the role of Josh, he has had his eye on several other roles throughout the years, such as the iconic Brian Fantana in the “Anchorman” franchise. “I don’t really fight for many things, but I was a nuisance in my desperation to be a part of that, and at a certain point I think I just wore them down,” he told “THR” about his work in “Anchorman.” Now, with Marvel movie credits to his name, a role in this year’s “Power Ballad,” alongside Nick Jonas, and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s ageless stars, Paul Rudd continues to remain effortlessly unstoppable.
Getty
