Almost Famous is a cult classic by now, but 20 years after its release, it turns out that it could have been a very different film. Speaking with the Cadence13 podcast “Origins: Almost Famous Turns Twenty,” the film’s director, Cameron Crowe revealed to the host, James Andrew Miller, that the cast was supposed to be different than its end result.
Crowe’s first choice for the part of Russell Hammond, the lead guitarist of the fictional band Stillwater, was Brad Pitt.
“Brad Pitt was on my mind because I had a really good meeting with him around the time of Say Anything, and he was just starting out, and he just really had something,” said Crowe.
Another part that got its casting changed was Penny Lane, which was Kate Hudson’s breaking role. The part was first offered to Canadian actress Sarah Polley, who was much more well-known back then. In the end, Hudson went away with a Golden Globe for her role (and an Oscar nod).
Frances McDormand is another memorable actress from the film. She portrayed Elaine Miller, the mother of the protagonist, William Miller. The part was initially considered for the legendary Meryl Streep.
