It has been three years since The Big Bang Theory has been off the air, but it remains one of the fan favorites. With the coming of its oral history, writer Jessica Radloff revealed some fun facts about the series, including the A-list actors who should have been part of the iconic show.
It was earlier revealed that Marisa Tomei was considered for the role of Penny. Now, the book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, via TVLine, revealed that from Macaulay Culkin to Selena Gomez to Harrison Ford, these famed stars were supposed to be part of the show.
Macaulay Culkin as Leonard
The show’s producers originally eyed Culkin as Sheldon’s (Jimmy Parsons) roommate, Leonard (Johnny Galecki).
“There’s a special ethereal quality to that actor that I thought might be great,” co-creator Chuck Lorre said in the book.
“We had a terrific meeting with Macaulay,” fellow co-creator Bill Prady added. “And then we heard that he had decided he wasn’t interested.”
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Selena Gomez as Amy
Fans should have seen Selena Gomez in The Big Bang Theory if not for the pop star’s busy schedule. The Only Murders in the Building star revealed in a post on Instagram that she loved Sheldon and the show itself.
That said, the producers approached her team several times but to no avail.
“I had kicked around an idea that Amy [Mayim Bialik] had been complaining about her awful stepsister,” executive producer Steve Molaro stated. “Who would turn out to be “beautiful and great, and everyone loves her.”
However, that plan didn’t work out. “It never worked out due to scheduling,” he continued.
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Ringo Starr as Howard’s Dad
If there was one star who could perfectly be Howard’s (Simon Helberg) father, the producers believed it was Ringo Starr.
“It was a fun conversation based on Simon’s haircut and physical appearance,” Lorre revealed. “You could buy the genetic link to Richard Starkey…. We pursued it to the point where we got a solid no [from Starr’s team].”
However, they decided not to introduce Mr. Wolowitz at all.
Harrison Ford and Sandra Bullock’s Supposed Appearance
The Big Bang Theory has been known for featuring pop culture icons and A-list stars; two of them should have been Harrison Ford and Sandra Bullock. Sadly, it didn’t happen.
In the Season 7 episode The Convention Conundrum, James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher, who played Darth Vader and Princess Leia in Star Wars, made their appearances. Ford was supposed to be part of it, but he seemed to refuse.
“We would have loved Harrison Ford, but that never got any traction,” casting director Nikki Valko explained. “He just was not open to it.”
Alternatively, Bullock was supposed to be Raj’s (Kunal Nayyar) date at Sheldon and Amy’s Nobel Prize ceremony, knowing he was badly in love with her.
However, the actress politely declined due to ongoing movie production, making her unavailable. Instead, Sarah Michelle Geller guested on the show.
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