If you’re a film fan that reads all the news surrounding the industry, you probably are aware that Melissa McCarthy was not the first woman attached to star in the Oscar-nominated film “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” In fact, the film originally had Julianne Moore attached, with writer-director Nicole Holofcener on board. However, all we knew up until now was that both Moore and Holofcener dropped out, with Marielle Heller and McCarthy picking up the pieces and creating the film. However, Julianne Moore has revealed what happened, at least with her involvement, and according to the actress, it was a “painful” departure.
Speaking to Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens Live,” Moore was asked why she left the film. She quickly chimed in to confirm that she actually didn’t leave the project on her own accord, and was instead fired by Holofcener.
“I didn’t leave that movie, I was fired,” Moore said. “Yeah, yeah, Nicole fired me.”
She clarified by explaining, “I think she didn’t like what I was doing.”
Holofcener and Moore never got to the production phase of “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Instead, the drama began during rehearsals.
“We had been rehearsing and doing pre-production and stuff,” Moore explained. “I think that her idea of where the character was was different than my idea of where the character was. So, she fired me.”
The obvious question was then asked, whether or not Moore has seen the film, which earned McCarthy a Best Actress Oscar nomination. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the actress reveals why she still can’t bring herself to watch the film.
READ MORE: ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ Is An Unexpected Little Gem Of A Movie [Telluride Review]
“I haven’t yet because it’s still kind of painful,” she admits. “I love Melissa McCarthy. I worship her. I think she’s fantastic. So, I’m sure she’s great.”
She continued, “It was pretty bad. The only other time I was fired was when I was working at a yogurt stand when I was 15. So, yeah, it felt bad.”
In our interview with Holofcener from last year, she commented on the decision to leave “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” And though she never mentioned Moore by name, she does allude to the fact that it wasn’t the easiest situation to be part of, saying, “Let’s just say creative differences and very last minute creative differences at that. And really literally that’s the truth. It’s never pleasant for anybody, but that’s the truth. And that was hard [pause], a really hard period. And I think [‘Forgive Me’ director] Marielle Heller did a good job. I’ve seen it. It’s good!”