The competition for the Hayes-Hughes project was fierce, a veritable feeding frenzy among Hollywood's titans. Each studio, armed with their own strategies and financial muscle, vied for the opportunity to align with the industry's most bankable young star and its most insightful writer-director. Yet, amidst the clamor, it was Walt Disney Pictures, under its new, ambitious leadership, that emerged victorious.
In a move that raised eyebrows across the industry, Disney presented an offer that was both audacious and, to many, seemingly foolish. They proposed that Alex Hayes would receive no upfront salary for his starring role. Instead, he would be granted an unprecedented 13% of the film's domestic box office gross. John Hughes, for his part, would receive 8% of the domestic gross and retain final cut on the film. The proposed budget for the project was a lean $5 million.
The news of the deal spread like wildfire through CAA. Michael Ovitz, usually the picture of composure, couldn't hide a flicker of concern when discussing the terms with Alex and Nancy. "Alex, this is... unconventional," he began, his voice measured. "No upfront salary? Most actors would be terrified of that kind of risk. What if the film underperforms?"
Paula Wagner, Alex's agent, chimed in, "It's a gamble, Alex. A big one. Are you absolutely certain about this?"
Alex, however, simply smiled, a quiet confidence radiating from him. "I'm not afraid, Nancy. And I'm not afraid, Michael. Another actor might be, might worry about not seeing a cent if it fails. But that's not me." He paused, his gaze steady. "I'm confident in this script, and I'm confident in John. We've built something special here."
After Alex's declaration, Paula turned her gaze to Nancy, a silent plea in her eyes. "Nancy, can you talk some sense into him? Try to change his mind?"
Nancy met Paula's look with a calm, resolute expression. "Paula, Alex has never made a wrong move in his career. Not once. Until he does, I'm going to support him fully on this."
John Hughes also shared Alex's conviction. When Paula Wagner had presented the terms to him, he hadn't hesitated. His belief in the project, and in his collaboration with Alex, was absolute. He knew that with Alex in the lead, the film had an undeniable pulse. Together, they gave Paula and Ovitz the green light to finalize the deal.
To many seasoned Hollywood veterans, this was a deal born of desperation and boundless ambition. Michael Eisner, who had only recently taken the helm as Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney Pictures after being passed over for the top job at Paramount, was determined to make a significant mark. He needed a resounding success, a statement film that would prove his vision for Disney. This project, with Alex Hayes and John Hughes, was his chance to prove himself, to show the industry that Disney was a serious player in live-action cinema.
Despite the industry's whispers of "foolishness," Alex and Hughes remained unshakeable in their confidence. They saw not a gamble, but a partnership built on mutual respect and a shared vision for a film they believed would resonate deeply.
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The casting process for the film was remarkably simple, given the relatively small number of central characters. John Hughes quickly selected Alan Ruck for the pivotal role of Cameron Frye. Ruck, though 28 years old at the time, possessed a youthful vulnerability that Hughes remembered from his earlier audition for The Breakfast Club. Despite not landing a role in that film, Ruck had clearly left a lasting impression on the director, leading to his casting as the 17-year-old Cameron. Prior to this, Alan Ruck had built a respectable, though not widely recognized, career primarily in theater, with some minor film roles. His most notable film appearance before 1985 was likely his small part in the 1983 drama Bad Boys.
For the role of Jeanie Bueller, Ferris's sister, Jennifer Grey was cast. By 1985, Grey had already begun to make a name for herself in Hollywood. She had appeared in the 1984 films Reckless and Red Dawn, showcasing her talent and versatility. Her spirited and often intense performances had caught the eye of casting directors, and Hughes saw in her the perfect blend of frustration and underlying affection needed for Jeanie.
The role of Edward "Ed" R. Rooney, the Dean of Students, went to veteran actor Jeffrey Jones. Jones had a more established career, primarily in theater, but had also made notable appearances in film. His most prominent role to date was likely in the 1984 film Amadeus, where he played Emperor Joseph II, a performance that garnered him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. His ability to convey both authority and a touch of comedic exasperation made him an ideal choice for the perpetually thwarted dean.
The final key role to be cast was that of Sloane Peterson, Ferris's sophisticated girlfriend. John Hughes had a specific vision for Sloane, stating that it would "take someone older to give her the kind of dignity she needed." This immediately ruled out many of the younger actresses frequently cast in teen films. Among those auditioning for the coveted role were actresses born in 1963, 1964, and 1965, including Demi Moore. Moore, born in 1962, was already making a name for herself with roles in films like Blame It on Rio (1984), and her maturity and presence certainly fit Hughes's criteria. However, despite her talent and fitting the age profile, Alex Hayes ultimately rejected Demi Moore for the part as he couldn't quite picture her in that role. Molly Ringwald, who had worked with Hughes on Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, expressed a strong desire to play Sloane, but Hughes, despite their successful collaborations, ultimately rejected her for the part, believing she wasn't suitable for the character.
This left Hughes and Alex at a bit of a roadblock. "We need someone who embodies that effortless cool, that quiet sophistication," Hughes mused aloud to Alex during a casting session, a stack of headshots fanned out before them. "Molly's wonderful, but not for Sloane. And Demi... she's got a fire, but not the right kind for this role."
Just as they were beginning to feel a touch of frustration, a new headshot landed on the table, presented by a casting assistant. Her name was Mia Sara. She was just 17, contrary to Hughes's initial preference for an older actress, but her face was undeniably classic and beautiful, with a delicate yet strong bone structure. Most captivating were her eyes – expressive and deep, they seemed to hold a world of unspoken understanding.
"Mia Sara," Hughes murmured, picking up the photo. "She just finished Legend with Ridley Scott, didn't she? Interesting." He knew Alex had been offered the lead role in Legend but had ultimately rejected it.
Alex's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the photo, a flicker of recognition in his own gaze. This was the face he had seen in his dreams when envisioning Sloane, the one that perfectly coincided with the character.
They quickly arranged a audition for Mia Sara with Alex. Mia Sara was asked to convey a range of emotions without extensive lines – a flicker of boredom, a mischievous glint in her eyes, a genuine, soft smile that transformed her face, and the subtle, sophisticated composure of someone navigating everyday situations with an innate elegance.
She aced it. Her face, with its classic beauty and delicate bone structure, was incredibly expressive. Her captivating eyes, deep and knowing, conveyed more than any dialogue could. She moved with an inherent grace, her gestures refined, embodying the very essence of the sophisticated Sloane. Alex, a consummate professional, remained focused on the scene, yet he found himself subtly captivated by her smile and her striking green eyes. It was a fleeting, internal observation, quickly subsumed by the demands of the performance, but it was there.
After the reading, a rare smile spread across John Hughes's face. He turned to Alex, a look of genuine satisfaction in his eyes. "Well, Alex," he admitted, a note of pleasant surprise in his voice, "I have to say, she is perfect. Absolutely perfect as Sloane Peterson. Her age doesn't matter; she has the dignity and sophistication I was looking for."
Alex grinned, a silent "I told you so" in his expression. With Mia Sara's casting, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, and the main casting process for the film was officially completed.