As one of the most popular films of the 90s, Clueless is a timeless flick that remains as loved as it was when it first hit theaters. Starring Alicia Sliverstone as Cher, Clueless was at the right place at the right time, and while casting the film was difficult, things worked out just fine as time went on.
The role of Josh proved to be a tough one to fill, and there were some interesting choices to play the character. At one point, Paul Rudd and Ben Affleck were up for the role, but only one could pull it down.
Let’s look at the casting of Josh in Clueless.
They Were Up For The Role Of Josh In ‘Clueless’
Looking back on successful movies, it’s always interesting to see how casting decisions helped shape a film into a huge hit. The wrong person in the wrong role changes everything, and thankfully, successful films make the right call more often than not. During the 90s, the folks making Clueless had a tough decision to make for the role of Josh.
Prior to being up for the role of Josh in Clueless, Paul Rudd had been working in television, with his most notable role coming in the series, Sisters. He appeared on the show for 20 episodes, and from there, he landed roles in other television projects like Moment of Truth: Stalking Back, The Fire Next Time, and Wild Oats. He had no big screen experience, but the filmmakers clearly saw something they liked.
Ben Affleck, another young performer who was up for the role, had also been putting in work prior to being called in. Affleck had far more experience than Rudd, having been landing roles since the 80s on both the big and small screen. Affleck had appeared in projects like The Torkelsons, School Ties, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dazed and Confused.
Despite both men bringing something unique to the table, the filmmakers could only choose one for the role. Given how successful the film was, we’d say they made the right decision.
Rudd Gets The Gig
Despite having no experience on the big screen and less experience than Affleck overall, Paul Rudd was the man chosen to play Josh in Clueless. The filmmakers saw what he could do in the role, and he wound up being an unbelievable fit in what turned into a classic of the decade.
Writer and director, Amy Heckerling, would talk about how difficult it was to cast the role that ultimately went to Rudd, saying, “[Casting Josh] was the hardest. I had a vision in my head and it wasn't jelling with people out there. When I'm writing, I usually have little pictures of what I imagine the guy looking like. And I had the Beastie Boy: Adam Horovitz. There was something smart and funny about him.”
Released in 1995, Clueless was a massive hit that took pop culture by storm. Not only did it receive solid reviews, but it also made a pretty penny at the box office. This film became a staple of the decade and is still loved and adored by fans after over 25 years. It just goes to show how great of a job the filmmakers did with every little detail that went into bringing this film to life.
Clueless was a success, and it was a huge launching point for Paul Rudd, who is now one of the most famous men in Hollywood. Despite not getting the role, Affleck did just fine for himself.
Affleck Became A Star Later On
Affleck may have missed out on playing Josh in Clueless, but as the 90s moved along, he would begin to cement his place on the A-list. Films like Chasing Amy, Dogma, Good Will Hunting, Shakespeare in Love, and Armageddon changed everything for Affleck, who turned into a force at the box office.
As time has gone on, both men have remained on top and have even dabbled in superhero films. Rudd has been playing Ant-Man in the MCU for years now, and Affleck starred as Batman over in the DCEU. Both of these heroes have helped save the day, and the men behind the masks were staples of 90s movies.
This casting decision was the right one to make, but it’s so fascinating that both men went on to achieve so much success. Affleck could have been an incredible fit in the role, and casting director, Carrie Frazier, even told Elle that she “brought in Ben Affleck, for the role of Josh. I thought he would be fabulous for it. I was really trying to get Ben Affleck the part.”
Clueless was a huge hit that benefitted from a perfect cast. However, one has to wonder what it would have looked like with a few tweaks.