Part 4/9:
The casting of "The Princess Bride" could have looked quite different. Carrie Elwes, who portrayed the hero Wesley, auditioned after traveling to Berlin, having been initially hesitant due to concerns related to the Chernobyl disaster. His impromptu Fat Albert impression during auditions impressed director Rob Reiner and showcased his comedic talent, which complemented the mixture of humor and drama essential to the film.
The casting process was layered, with various big names being considered for roles. Among those who nearly played pivotal parts were Colin Firth, Danny DeVito, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger. Such casting near-misses added an extra dimension of intrigue to the film's legacy.