Andrew Kole

Starring WHO? Andrew Kole

Starring WHO?covers nine decades ofcasting decisions, highlighting the arbitrary casting of a majority of iconic roles in over 300 films. In addition, the book provides an overview of Hollywood for each decade, an opportunity to test your trivia knowledge, and a list of Academy Award winners in all the acting categories beginning in 1930.

One example is Tom Hanks who first came to our attention inSplash, but he only got the leading role after six actors, including Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Michael Keaton turned it down. After Splash, Hanks was cast in Big, but not before the part was offered to Robert De Niro, who turned it down when the studio would not meet his quote. Then, there's Forrest Gump - John Travolta was the first choice, but he turned it down, which lead to Hank's second consecutive Best Actor Oscar.