Even today, those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry are a bit of an enigma and essentially Hollywood's unsung heroes. More often than not, they are the ones who find (or come up with) the film’s story. They secure funding. And most importantly, they bring the cast and crew together.
Among these unsung heroes is Nancy Meyers, a woman responsible for a number of everyone’s favorite rom-coms from the last four decades, along with many that subscribers can stream on Netflix today. In case fans of her films are wondering about what goes on behind the scenes, here’s what we’ve learned.
Private Benjamin: The Movie Was Pitched To Goldie Hawn Prior To The Script Being Written
Private Benjamin was Meyers’ first foray into filmmaking. And while she may not have directed the film, she did write the screenplay and serve as one of its producers. The movie centers on a spoiled girl who decides to join the army on an impulse after her husband drops dead during their wedding night.
When it was pitched to Hawn, she thought it was “a dream role for any actress.” Unfortunately, she was pregnant when Meyers approached her. According to an excerpt from her memoir that was published by E!, Hawn was relieved upon learning that the script hadn’t been written yet.
The Parent Trap: ‘Hundreds’ Of Girls Were Auditioned Before They Cast Lindsay Lohan
Remakes of the 1961 film had been popular and Disney was determined to get things right when they made their own. Hence, it was a real challenge to find a young actress capable of convincingly playing two starkly different roles, that of easygoing Californian Hallie Parker and sophisticated London-bred Annie James.
In the search for the right actress, casting director Ilene Starger met with “hundreds” of young girls. Lohan came in early on and after several tests, Starger told Bustle, “Lindsay was the front-runner, and we were all rooting for her.”
Something’s Gotta Give: Jack Nicholson Wardrobe Fitting Took Six Hours
The 2003 movie stars Jack Nicholson as a man who unexpectedly falls for someone his age (Diane Keaton) after only being in relationships with younger women. Jack Nicolson’s portrayal of the role partly depended on being dressed properly for the part and while speaking with DGA Quarterly, Meyers revealed that the whole process took six hours.
That said, she also recalled, “he tried very few clothes on, but we talked for hours about his character.” As it turns out, wardrobe fittings are a “helpful tool” because actors tend to talk about their roles while getting fitted.
The Holiday: Jack Black Improvised Parts Of The Video Store Scene
In The Holiday, Jack Black plays Miles, a Hollywood music scorer who partly uses music to woo Kate Winslet’s Iris later on. In fact, he goes on to compose a song for her, later saying his famous line, “I used only the good notes.”
Earlier in the movie, Black and Winslet also appear in a scene where they visit a video store together and Black was just supposed to hum to some of the song. While filming this scene Meyers told Indie London, “I didn’t know that instead of humming them, he would be ‘doo, doo, doo, dooing.’”
The Holiday: Cameron Diaz Asked If She Could Do The Ice Slipping Scene Herself
There’s a lot who believe that The Holiday is the ultimate Christmas movie and that’s may have a lot to do with the brilliant chemistry between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. The two veteran actors headline the movie’s charming U.K. storyline.
Upon her arrival in the U.K., Diaz’s Amanda realizes that she has to walk (with luggage in tow) to reach the home. In the movie, she slips on ice as she attempts to make her way and, as Meyers told Indie London, Diaz preferred to do the stunt on her own, instead of employing a stunt woman.
It’s Complicated: The Movie Was Written With Meryl Streep And Alec Baldwin In Mind
The 2009 movie, It's Complicated, tells the story of a divorced couple who decide to carry out an affair with each other years later. That couple is brilliantly played by Baldwin and Streep. And it turns out, Meyers had always had the two veteran actors in mind for the roles.
“I saw the two of them in my mind when I was writing,” Meyers revealed while speaking with Indie Wire. “It’s helpful to attach my writing to another voice.” Baldwin and Streep are also joined by Martin who plays Streep’s other love interest.
It’s Complicated: Although Set In California, It Was Mostly Shot In New York
Throughout Meyers’ most successful films, fans note that she often puts her characters in tastefully decorated homes. That is the same case for the home of Meryl Streep’s Jane Adler in this 2009 rom-com. And while she’s supposed to be living in California in the story, Meyers decided that they were better off doing a lot of the production work in New York.
While speaking with DGA Quarterly, Meyers explained, “There are many reasons, but the tax break is a big one.” That said, she also shot the movie in Santa Barbara and L.A.
The Intern: It Was The Third Nancy Meyers Movie That Anne Hathaway Auditioned For
As it turns out, the third time was a charm for the Oscar-winning actress. The actress revealed to Entertainment Weekly that she had auditioned for The Holiday and the role of the daughter in What Women Want, but for some reason, the stars just didn’t align.
This time, though, it seemed that Meyers knew right away that Hathaway was the perfect actress to play the lead because of her work ethic. While speaking with Refinery 29, Meyers explained, “She wants to get it right. You can’t fatigue her. She’s not a complainer.”
The Intern: Natt Wolff Could Have Had A More Prominent Role In The Movie
While speaking with GQ, Wolff himself admitted that he’s only in The Intern “for about as long as I’m in the trailer.” As it turns out though, Meyers wanted the actor to have a more prominent role. It’s just that Wolff had very limited time for her movie since he was also working on the film, Ashby.
Meyers told ComingSoon.net, “So he’d come in for The Intern, but he really wasn’t available to be one of the interns. It’s very possible he could’ve been one of them.”
Father Of The Bride 3: Matty’s Canceled Wedding Was Inspired By Nancy’s Daughter Canceling Her Wedding
Meyers’ Father of the Bride movies are among everyone’s favorite wedding movies from the 90s, and for years, fans have hoped for a third movie. In 2020, that finally happened. Sort of. In the midst of lockdowns, Meyers manages to reunite the cast online to film a Father of the Bride 3 short.
In the film, the family gets together on Zoom and we learn that Matty canceled his wedding due to the current situation. As Meyers revealed to The New York Times, this was inspired by her daughter postponing her own wedding.