During a press interview with The Cut for her new book Managing Expectations: A Memoir in Essays actress Minnie Driver discussed how executive producer Harvey Weinstein felt she was “not hot” enough for the role of Skylar in Good Will Hunting. Driver previously talked about the incident with Andy Cohen during a 2016 episode of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live. Driver was cast in the film, and earned an Academy Award Nomination.
Driver, who is now 52, stated that Weinstein sent a note to the Good Will Hunting casting director expressing concern over the 26-year-old actress’ appearance. She also mentioned that a separate producer echoed the sentiment and didn’t think she was suitable for the part based on her looks. Driver was thankful to co-stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, and Director Gus Van Sant for advocating for her participation in the film.
“I was not super pretty. The idea that that was the currency I was then meant to pursue, and I was meant to try and find ways of making myself prettier. I thank God that I didn’t do a ton of stuff that I could have then gone and done. It could have been way more damaging than it was. I had such a lovely family going, ‘F*** that. You’re gorgeous on all these levels. And if one person doesn’t think that you’re pretty enough, f*** it,” said Driver.
The 1997 film starring Damon, Affleck, Driver, Robin Williams and Stellan Skarsgård tells the story of 20-year-old Will Hunting, a genius janitor who starts to rethink his life while going through therapy. Driver played Damon’s love interest Skylar, a Harvard graduate. The film was nominated for many awards, including Driver’s Oscar nod for best-supporting actress, and won multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Driver and Damon dated from 1997 to 1998.
Minnie Driver’s Upcoming Projects
Earlier this year, Driver released her book Managing Expectations: A Memoir in Essays, where she shares details of her childhood, acting career and personal life. She appeared in three episodes of HBO’s Starstruck. Driver has filmed for two upcoming movies: biopic Chevalier, alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Samara Weaving and Rosaline, a comedic reinvention of Romeo and Juliet. News broke today that she has been cast, along with Simon Pegg, for Adam Sigal’s upcoming dark comedy Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose.
Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence for his first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape convictions.
Movies Reviews & News by PeraMovies.Club