The "Almost" Actors of Just Short of Perfect
Ever watch a movie and think, "Wow, that person was BORN to play that role!" Well, sometimes the road to perfect casting is paved with almost-perfect choices and hilarious "what ifs." Just Short of Perfect, that feel-good flick about a clumsy baker finding love, is a prime example.
The Nearly-Nigel: Our Leading Man
Imagine Nigel Havers, the quintessential British charmer, as our bumbling baker, Peter. Producers loved his initial read, envisioning him bringing a suave awkwardness to the role. The image of Nigel covered in flour and icing sugar is definitely a chuckle.
But, Havers himself reportedly felt the role leaned too far into slapstick for his usual repertoire. Ultimately, scheduling conflicts (apparently, a polo match was involved!) sealed his fate.
Instead, we got Tom Baker, who brought a genuinely sweet and goofy energy that audiences adored. A real "sliding doors" moment!
The Almost-Agnes: Our Sweet Shop Owner
The role of Agnes, the kindly owner of the local sweet shop and Peter's confidante, nearly went to Miriam Margolyes. Picture her, dispensing both sugary treats and sage advice with that signature twinkle in her eye! What a delight!
Margolyes passed due to commitments to another project, something about voicing a particularly grumpy garden gnome. Can't argue with a grumpy gnome, can we?
Thankfully, Brenda Blethyn landed the part, bringing a quiet strength and subtle humor that made Agnes completely unforgettable.
The Would-Be Wendy: The Uptight Girlfriend
Before Gwyneth Paltrow perfected her performance as Wendy, Peter’s ridiculously high-maintenance girlfriend, the producers considered Jennifer Aniston. Could you imagine Aniston as the health-obsessed, gluten-avoiding Wendy?
It's easy to see why they thought of her; Aniston has perfected that blend of charming and slightly-annoyed. However, Aniston decided to focus on her popular sitcom at the time.
Ultimately, Paltrow's portrayal of Wendy, with her yoga poses and pronouncements on kale smoothies, became a delightfully cringe-worthy contrast to Peter's down-to-earth charm.
The Case of the Disappearing Dalmatian: A Four-Legged Almost-Star
Even the dog nearly went to someone else! Originally, the script called for Peter to have a goofy Dalmatian named "Sprinkles." A perfectly spotted pup was even cast!
During filming, the Dalmatian proved… a little *too* energetic. Let's just say "Sprinkles" had a penchant for chasing squirrels and "re-decorating" the set with mud.
Sprinkles was then replaced by a mellow Golden Retriever called "Custard", and audiences fell in love with his sleepy, golden charm. Sprinkles now lives on a farm with lots of squirrels!
The Moral of the Story?
The casting process is a wild ride. Sometimes the biggest stars aren't the right fit, and sometimes the best choices are the ones you least expect.
Just Short of Perfect proves that "almost" can be just as fascinating as "perfect". The "almost" cast created a film with lasting popularity and fan base.
So, next time you watch a movie, remember the "almost" actors, the near misses, and the happy accidents that all contribute to the magic of filmmaking. And maybe keep an eye out for grumpy garden gnomes – you never know where they'll turn up next!
