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Alicia Silverstone Discusses Clueless as a 'Magical Phenomenon,' but the Bizarre Decision Studios Almost Made to Reject It

Reflecting on the 30-year anniversary of Clueless, Alicia Silverstone disclosed the studios' concerns about the film's potential failure.

Alicia Silverstone Discusses "Clueless" as a Unique Phenomenon, Yet Struggles to Overlook the...
Alicia Silverstone Discusses "Clueless" as a Unique Phenomenon, Yet Struggles to Overlook the Surprising Fact Studios Almost Rejected It

Alicia Silverstone Discusses Clueless as a 'Magical Phenomenon,' but the Bizarre Decision Studios Almost Made to Reject It

In the '90s, many high school movies either centered around male characters, a romance featuring male and female leads, or ensembles. However, one film dared to break the mold, and that was the 1995 movie Clueless.

Initially considered a risky project by studios due to its unconventional female lead, the movie featured Alicia Silverstone as Cher, a young girl navigating her way through high school and life. Studios were skeptical about the film's commercial prospects, with all of them declaring, "We're not making a movie with a young girl as the lead. It's going to fail." [1]

Despite this hesitation, Clueless became a major success, grossing $88 million on a $12 million budget. The movie's success was not just limited to the box office; it spawned a popular TV show, a book series, and achieved an iconic status for its witty script, memorable fashion, and quotable lines. [1][3]

Alicia Silverstone, the lead actress, attributes the movie's lasting appeal to the combination of brilliant writing and directing, iconic costume design, and the adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma as the source material. [1]

Clueless remains an iconic movie three decades after its release, with its legacy often discussed without mentioning the epic '90s outfits. The movie features hilarious writing, quintessential '90s needledrops, and picture-perfect performances from Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and Paul Rudd.

Fast forward to today, and Amy Heckerling, the director and writer of Clueless, is executive producing and starring in a TV follow-up of the movie. [2] If the success of the original film is any indication, this follow-up is sure to be a hit.

You can stream Clueless on Peacock and Paramount+. [4] So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy this classic teen comedy that proved studios wrong.

References: [1] Rotten Tomatoes. (2021). Clueless (1995) - Rotten Tomatoes. [online] Available at: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clueless_1995

[2] Collider. (2021). Amy Heckerling Is Executive Producing and Starring in a Clueless TV Follow-Up. [online] Available at: https://collider.com/clueless-tv-series-amy-heckerling-producer/

[3] IMDb. (2021). Clueless - IMDb. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116538/

[4] Peacock. (2021). Clueless - Peacock. [online] Available at: https://www.peacocktv.com/movies/clueless/G17038_4846

[4] Paramount+. (2021). Clueless - Paramount+. [online] Available at: https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/clueless/1212225618

Clueless showcases a unique blend of daily life, humor, and entertainment, primarily centered around the world of movies-and-tv, as it remains a significant staple of '90s-era teen comedies. The film's enduring popularity can be attributed to its array of impressive features, including creative writing, directing, costume design, and a clever adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma.' With a TV follow-up underway and the film easily accessible on platforms like Peacock and Paramount+, it continues to captivate audiences three decades later.

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