The lead role of Lucy Moderatz in the romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping was famously turned down by several prominent actresses, including Meg Ryan, Demi Moore, and Julia Roberts.
Actresses Who Declined the Lead Role
The development of While You Were Sleeping faced initial challenges, particularly in securing a lead actress for the role of Lucy Moderatz. Before Sandra Bullock was cast, the script underwent revisions and several A-list stars were approached.
| Actress | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meg Ryan | Among the first actresses to turn down the role. Notably, the initial concept for the film had Lucy, not Peter, as the character who falls into a coma, which might have influenced early rejections. |
| Demi Moore | Was offered the role of Lucy Moderatz but ultimately declined. |
| Julia Roberts | Also received an offer for the part of Lucy Moderatz, which she subsequently turned down. |
Behind the Casting Challenges
After Disney's Hollywood Pictures acquired the script in 1994, the studio faced considerable difficulty in finding interested actors for the lead part. The struggle to cast Lucy Moderatz highlighted the challenges of getting a project off the ground, even with a promising script. The evolution of the script, particularly the initial idea of Lucy being the comatose character, might have contributed to some actresses' decisions to pass on the role.
Ultimately, Sandra Bullock took on the role of Lucy Moderatz, which proved to be a pivotal point in her career, establishing her as a beloved romantic comedy lead.
