Multiple Stars Rejected Dumb and Dumber for the Most Bizarre Reason Before Jim Carrey Said Yes: “He can’t do it, he’s unavailable”
While Jim Carrey’s Dumb and Dumber went on to be one of the biggest hits of the year 1994, the actor was never supposed to be part of the film. In a recently resurfaced interview the creators of the movie Farrelly Brothers opened up about how more than 100 actors denied working on the movie for the most bizarre reasons before they finally cast Carrey.
More Than 100 Actors Rejected Dumb and Dumber Before Jim Carrey
While the year 1994 turned out to be one of the biggest years for actor Jim Carrey he was never supposed to be part of the movie Dum and Dumber. In a recently resurfaced interview, the Farrelly Brothers opened up about their casting struggles with the movie Dumb and Dumber.
Talking about this in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bobby Farrelly said that at some point the movie Dumb and Dumber had no meaning and place whatsoever. Recalling their casting process, the brothers said that it took them more than 4 years to find people who would be working on the film.
Further talking about this Farrelly Brothers also said that more than 100 actors rejected the role without even seeing the script. In fact, most of the time it was the agents who would just say “No, he can’t do it, he’s unavailable.”
Talking about this to The Hollywood Reporter Peter Farrelly said “A hundred, 150. Everyone. Everybody that was anyone. But as you find out over the years, because occasionally we’ll bump into somebody who will say like, “Hey, how come you never offered me a role?” “I offered you Dumb and Dumber.” And but they never got them. You know, you thought you were being turned down by all the actors, but it’s really the agents just saying, “No, he can’t do it, he’s unavailable.” It’s rare that they actually give it to them. So hard to tell how many actually passed, but we were told 100.”
Even though there is no official list of the actors who rejected the movie. Reports name a few which included Steven Martin, Martin Short, Gray Oldman, Nicolas Cage, and others.
The Farrelly Brothers Almost Lost Jim Carrey During the Casting
Even though Jim Carrey was the only actor who read the script of Dum and Dumber and agreed to work on it, it took a hard time for the producer to sign him. While recalling the process of casting Carrey in the movie the Farrelly Brothers stated that the studio was very hesitant to pay the amount Carrey demanded for the first time which only resulted in them paying more than double of it later.
As per what Farrelly has to say, the studio offered Carrey $350,000 to sign the movie but he asked for $400,00 after which the studio held the negotiation. However, within weeks Carrey’s movie Ace Venture was released making him a pretty well-known star. While the success of the movie was good news for Carrey, the producers of Dum and Dumber were not happy as Carry was quick to raise his acting fees.
Recalling this Peter Farrelly told The Hollywood Reporter “So then, you know, they said, “Okay, we’ll give you the 400.” He said, “No, I want 500.” And then they said, “No, you’re not getting 500.” And another week passed, Ace was number one again. And they said, “We’ll give you five.” “No, I want 750.” Long story short, it got up to seven million and that’s what he got paid. The whole budget was 16 million and Jim got seven, which was the most ever for any comedic actor.”
Even though the producers had to pay Carrey $7 million the movie turned out to be one of the biggest hits making $246,400,000 worldwide.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
