Trivia / Wolf (Mike Nichols)

• Awesome, Dear Boy:
  • As noted below, Jack Nicholson had been trying to get the film made for years, because he really wanted to play a werewolf.
  • Before courting Michelle Pfeiffer for Laura, Jim Harrison and Mike Nichols felt they had to beef up the role to be more than just a Damsel in Distress. Ultimately she accepted without much change in the character because she really wanted to act alongside Jack Nicholson. She also clarified that after so many period pieces, she wanted to do something modern day.
  • Om Puri largely was excited by the idea of wearing aging prosthetics, and playing a character twenty years older.
• Creator Backlash: Jim Harrison backed out of the production early on due to Creative Differences and grew to hate the film, lamenting that "they took my wolf and turned it into a chihuahua" and swearing off further Hollywood projects thereafter.
• Enforced Method Acting: In Christopher Plummer's memoir, he revealed that while filming a scene, he got so into character that he actually slapped Michelle Pfeiffer across the face instead of faking it.
• Real-Life Relative: Jack Nicholson's daughter plays an office worker.
• Saved from Development Hell: Jack Nicholson had been trying to get this film made with his friend, writer Jim Harrison, for twelve years.
• Wag the Director: Mike Nichols had originally wanted Michelle Pfeiffer to wear a red-hooded sweatshirt for the film's final act. She refused, as she thought it would harm the film's credibility.
• Word of God: A long standing rumor was that the entire third act had to be re-shot, but Mike Nichols clarified they just added in the one shot of Will jumping over the stable bars to make it a little more action packed. That one shot cost nearly $1 million.
• What Could Have Been:
  • One version of the script ended with a transformed Will being kept on a secluded property with Laura making periodic visits via helicopter.
  • In the original script, Will was a lawyer. The character's occupation was changed to publishing because it was felt to be a more fresh approach.
  • At one point, the producers couldn't decide whether Raymond should be Laura's brother or father. When they were leaning towards brother, Mick Jagger was very interested. Ultimately they went with father.
  • As noted above, they considered making Laura a more active and dynamic character for Michelle Pfeiffer. Among the ideas were to make her an animal rights activist or a doctor.
  • Stanley Kubrick was considered to direct, but he wasn't interested.
  • Sharon Stone turned down the role of Laura. Juliette Binoche was also considered.
  • Mia Farrow was slated to play Charlotte Randall. Mike Nichols had to fight to let Farrow have the part, due to the film company's hesitancy over her being too controversial at the time (she had gone through a highly-publicized divorce from Woody Allen). She had to take a salary cut but in the long run she had to bow out anyway, due to schedule conflicts.
  • Before Christopher Plummer was cast, Marlon Brando personally called to express interest in the role of Raymond Alden.
  • John Williams was originally attached to compose the music for this film. He soon left the project after the film was delayed, and needed some time off after winning the Oscar for Schindler's List, as he'd been working on that film, Jurassic Park, and overseeing the Boston Pops Orchestra.

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