The Notebook is an icon for romantic films, and when it was released it became a phenomenon and set standards for films that deal with love. Starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as the lead in The Notebook.
The actors too were rewarded with worldwide fame as the film traveled across lands and oceans making an impact everywhere. Despite being widely successful and making $100 million, The Notebook did not receive critical acclaim. Many critics said it was cheesy and unrealistic, and it has rotten tomato ratings of 53%.
Tom Cruise
Like many films, this one too was going to cast someone else entirely, which might have impacted the film’s success and the audience’s reception of the film. Gosling’s charm and innocent acting won numerous hearts and Rachel McAdams became the heartthrob, everyone had a crush on her. Their undying love for each other caught the audience’s fancy at that time; even now The Notebook rings every time the romantic genre is mentioned.
Tom Cruise nearly replaced Ryan Gosling in The Notebook
E! Online reveals that Gosling was not the first choice to play Noah in the love story, in fact initially, Steven Spielberg was the director hired for the film but due to scheduling conflicts the film was shelved for a while.
Later the project was snagged by New Line, and the new director for the project Nick Cassavetes chose Gosling to play Noah. Cassavetes revealed to VH1 “When I told [New Line Cinema] I wanted to hire Ryan for the lead, they kind of looked at me like I was out of my mind.”
The Notebook starring Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears.
The director’s vision was on point, Gosling’s boy next door looks and acting won hearts and made everyone believe they too will have a love like his. This factor of relatability contributed multi-folds to the film’s subsequent success.
Rachel McAdams was almost not cast as Allie
Britney Spears
Britney Spears was considered to star opposite Ryan Gosling, the two had starred together in Mickey Mouse Club. Gosling remembers their chemistry test at that time, he recalled,
“I hadn’t seen her really since she was about 12—we were both 12—so she’s grown up, but she was really good. She did a nice job. We were 12, I don’t remember much from when I was 12, but yeah, no, she did an excellent job. That was cool.”
Ultimately it did not work out and the director chose Rachel McAdams, who was relatively new at that time. Cassavetes said about finding McAdams,
“We found Rachel through an audition process and she was wonderful. A lot of studios wouldn’t have had the courage to put two relatively unknown people in a movie like this. But they did and, gosh, weren’t they terrific,”
The Notebook
It was indeed a gamble at that time to put all bets on two unknown, not famous actors as leads especially when the film revolves around emotions and acting performances. Fortunately, it all turned out for the better as the film made $100 Million Worldwide at the Box Office.
