Highlights
- Courteney Cox grew to become down the role of Rachel Green and took a possibility by choosing Monica Geller as an alternative, a choice that in the long run worked out for her.
- Other actresses, comparable to Leah Remini and Nancy McKeon, were considered for the role of Monica, but Courteney Cox in the end secured the part.
- Courteney Cox took inventive liberties with the character of Monica, bringing her personal colours to the role and shaping it in a way that wasn't to start with envisioned.
Courteney Cox would possibly have wound up changing into the absolute best Monica Geller on Friends, however it didn't get started out that method. Before her step forward role, Courteney took an opportunity by means of turning down the role of Rachel, and things can have ended right then and there.
Not only did Courteney say no to turning into Rachel Green, however she additionally had masses of notes on her persona and switched things up—with out permission. Fortunately for Cox, it labored out in the finish, and she earned international fame for her interpretation of Monica Geller.
Courteney Cox Opted Out Of Becoming Rachel Green On Friends
Marta Kauffman, the co-creator of Friends, has shared that casting was a "fascinating" experience, partially because some of the actors they sought after have been, to start with, no longer to be had.
Matthew Perry was tapped early on for Chandler, but he was once running on any other show at the time. Eventually, it all labored out, of course, and the workforce got their first select for Chandler.
The other solid members weren't as easy to forged, regardless that quite a lot of big-name actors from that generation have been thoroughly regarded as.
In reality, Jennifer Aniston wasn't at all times the highest pick out for Rachel Green, as Courteney Cox was offered the role first. Ultimately, Courteney grew to become down the alternative, not understanding that she would land the gig of Monica.
Courteney later explained her reasoning for short of to be Monica, stating that she "related more" to the character than to Rachel. Cox didn't exactly fall into the role of Monica despite the fact that; there was still stiff competition, and nothing used to be guaranteed at the time she turned down Rachel.
Other Actresses Were Considered To Play Monica On Friends
Even despite the fact that Courteney truly sought after the role, she wasn't the most effective actress who auditioned—or was once closely thought to be—for Monica. Leah Remini particularly entered the running early on and reportedly made it to the ultimate spherical of auditions.
Remini later said that when she passed Courteney Cox in the parking lot, she knew she would no longer get the role. When the information came, she "cried for days," but mirrored back that there is a show for everyone.
Not lengthy after, Leah would land King of Queens—or even guest-star on Friends.
The former head of casting at NBC as soon as printed that for Monica, the choice got here down to Courteney Cox versus Nancy McKeon, an actress who was once well-known at the time for showing on The Facts of Life.
In addition to having the "Monica" glance, with dark hair and eyes, Nancy also had in depth sitcom enjoy. She spent eight years on The Facts of Life and also appeared on other TV displays.
Ultimately, Nancy's resume didn't make her any more certified than Courteney to turn into Monica. The choice was once left as much as Marta Kauffman and David Crane, who "went off for a walk" prior to deciding on hiring Courteney Cox for the part.
Nothing used to be guaranteed for Courteney up until that moment, and the decision was once taken very severely. Though any actress can have played the role, Courteney made it her personal, proving she was the right selection—but additionally throwing a wrench in the works as the show were given off the floor.
Courteney Wanted To Be Monica, But Not As The Character Was Written
Marta Kauffman defined that originally, Monica Geller was once intended to be "darker and edgier and snarkier," however Monica changed issues up. Not most effective did she take a possibility by turning down Rachel and preserving out for Monica, but Courteney Cox additionally wasn't afraid to modify it up once she were given the coveted section.
Marta noted that Courteney "brought a whole bunch of other colors" to the role, however looked as if it would hint that not everyone used to be immediately bought on the "new" Monica.
She explained that they "decided that, week after week, that would be a lovelier place to go to." This was lengthy earlier than the determination was made to have Monica and Chandler end up in combination (which the live audience absolutely loved), so there were a couple of other ways things will have gone sideways for the personality.
Not each scripted second was once beloved, both; the show was criticized for making Monica seem shallow at some points, one thing audience felt wasn't true to the personality that Cox had created.
While it's still unclear how much energy the solid had over their respective roles (or scripts), as the seasons went on, it will seem that their influence grew, especially when it got here to negotiating salaries.
Given that Courteney had guest-starred on Seinfeld prior to Friends launched, she additionally had some perception into how identical presentations were run, and how the cast interacted.
That affect may have modified issues in a big method for the solid; Lisa Kudrow credited Courteney Cox with serving to everyone find their place as the show started.
Courteney's apparent knack for molding her character wound up being a major win for everyone, even if she took a large probability in getting there.
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