’10 Things I Hate About You’ is perhaps the classic romantic comedy film dedicated to the late actor Heath Ledger on the map After the release of this film, the star became known for his ‘boy next door’ look and character, and it also helped him rise to fame. Years later, even after his death, the film is labeled ahead of its time, and the actor is still recognized as one of the greatest talents of recent decades. Here’s how Ledger got the role in the first place, and how a simple favor to a director changed his life.
How Heath Ledger Won Over 200 People With ’10 Things I Hate About You’
In an old interview with Entertainment Weekly, the film’s director Gil Junger explained how Ledger was able to land the role. He commented on the casting at the time, saying that Heath was “magic” and that he beat out 253 other people who had already given him the best chance for the role.At the time he said that he and five casting agents were auditioning for the film, and that they had already interviewed 253 men for the lead role. He recounted that he was a last-minute addition to the roster, and one of the people who auditioned with him, “Marcia Ross, head of casting at Disney, said, ‘Look, this next kid, I don’t know him. “It’s a favor for an agent I respect. So if it’s no good, stop it and send it on its way.”‘”As a director he was very fragile, and he didn’t have high hopes for Ledger, although everything changed when he entered the room. “And this is the God’s honest truth, in my parents’ life: He took three steps into the room, and my thought was, ‘If he can read these in English, I’m going to throw him out,'” he shared.Junger also recalled that Heath had a “magnetism” and was instantly drawn to him. In the interview at the time, she also added: “He was so confident and loving and wanted to be the best he could be. He was just an amazing young man.”
Heath Ledger was the last choice for the film
The director talked about the same thing last year with Barry Katz for his channel, where he opened up about how great Heath was. “They hired him before he got to his car,” he commented at the time. He also revealed that after the interview, the moment the then 17-year-old left the room, Junger told everyone in the room that he wanted her in the movie.Heath Ledger died in January 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose.
