I’ve spent a good part of my life watching and re-watching John Hughes, Anthony Michael Hall films of the 1980s, like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, And weird science. I grew up with him and have never stopped being a fan or quoting him. That’s why I was so surprised to learn that Hall turned down two other Hughes movies (filmed in and around Chicago, of course) that I liked—ferris buellers day off And pretty in Pink. Hall recently spoke about what rejection meant to her for her relationship with Hughes.
Speaking with Danielle Fishel on her podcast kill teenHall talked a lot about how great it was to work with Hughes on four movies in the ’80s, and he also talked about the two movies he didn’t get to do. The first thing they talked about was pretty in Pink And why he turned down the role of Ducky:
I think, to some extent, even at that age, when you’re more self-conscious about, you know, the conservative thing, I think it was definitely on my mind. To be honest, I also felt that Pretty in Pink was very similar to Sixteen Candles in terms of story. It kind of felt like a redo.
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We’ve lived long enough to know that you have to wish everyone success in life, and you can’t harbor resentment. You know, it doesn’t do anything for anyone. So I think those movies were great, you know. I think Jon Cryer is a really nice guy. I have met him since then. i met andrew [McCarthy]. I just decided not to make that film.
The other one they rejected is one of the ultimate cold classics of all time, ferris buellers day off. It’s obviously impossible to picture anyone other than Matthew Broderick in that role, but according to Hall, whom I refer to here, John Hughes wrote the title role for him. Hall says about turning it down:
And then, with Ferris Bueller, that was actually written for me by John. And, unfortunately, you know, what happened was that he wanted me to do both movies at that time, and I felt it was important that I move forward, you know? And I guess it was kind of heartbreaking [Hughes] From one side. But Matthew Broderick was great as Ferris.
Sadly, this seems to have caused somewhat of a rift in their relationship. Hughes and Hall would not work together again after 1985. strange science, And Hall admitted in interviews that turning down those roles took a toll on their relationship.
Part of me really wants to see these alternate universe versions ferris bueller And pretty in Pink (and unrealistic breakfast club Sequel) because I think Hall would have been great in those in the 80’s. Then again, as I write, I’m not sure I’d actually see anyone other than Cryer and Broderick in the roles.