In a recent interview on the Hollywood Gold podcast, producer Debra Martin Chase revealed some fascinating details about the casting process for the beloved film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. While it's nearly impossible to imagine anyone other than America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Blake Lively, and Amber Tamblyn in the lead roles, it turns out that some other stars were in the running.
Chase shared that Ferrera, who portrayed Carmen, was the first actor they cast for the film. However, at that time, Ferrera was still a relatively new face in the industry. The producer also disclosed that their original plan was to cast Mischa Barton as Bridget and Kristin Kreuk as Lena. Unfortunately, due to production delays, both actresses were unavailable as they were committed to other projects, The O.C. and Smallville, respectively. With these challenges, the casting process had to start from scratch.
Chase mentioned that they saw numerous actresses for the roles, including Kaley Cuoco, Alexa PenaVega, and Olivia Wilde, who made it to the shortlist. However, they felt a strong connection with America Ferrera and decided to keep her onboard. Meanwhile, Amber Tamblyn, who played Tibby, was already gaining recognition for her role in Joan of Arcadia, and her involvement added further credibility to the cast. Chase emphasized their commitment to finding real actors who could convincingly embody the roles.
The producer admitted that the role of Bridget proved to be the most challenging to cast. They needed someone who exuded innocence yet possessed the acting skills required for such a complex role. They were searching for a 'gorgeous but pure' actress who could portray Bridget's depth. After an arduous search, they stumbled upon Blake Lively, who auditioned for the part. Although Lively had never worked before, the team saw her potential. However, they initially hesitated due to her lack of experience. Lively's blank headshot revealed her clean slate in the industry, having never received a paycheck. Yet, they took a leap of faith and ultimately realized that Lively was the perfect fit for Bridget.
Interestingly, Lively's father, Ernie Lively, who sadly passed away in 2021, played her onscreen dad in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants as well as its 2008 sequel. It's a touching detail that adds an extra layer of connection between Lively and the film.
Towards the end of the podcast, Chase expressed her desire to make a third installment of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, reuniting the original cast. She acknowledged that audiences still have a strong desire for it, and given her success with sequels to other classic movies, she believes the time is right for a reunion.
The behind-the-scenes stories of casting choices in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants offer a fascinating peek into the challenging process of bringing a beloved story to life on the big screen. Thanks to the talented ensemble of Ferrera, Bledel, Lively, and Tamblyn, the film became a cherished coming-of-age classic. While the possibility of a third film remains uncertain, fans can still appreciate the original two movies that continue to resonate with viewers.
