Kathy Bates, star of the film 'Misery', discusses her disagreement with the original 1990 script.
Title: Kathy Bates' Remorse at Watering Down the Torture in Misery
Wanna hear a juicy tidbit? Kathy friggin' Bates wasn't exactly thrilled with how Misery turned out in the end. You know, the brilliant 1990 horror flick where she plays the terrifying Annie Wilkes opposite the hapless James Caan? Well, she wished it coulda been even more heinous. That's right, more pain, more suffering, more toes lopped off!
Speaking at the 6th annual TCM Classic Film Festival, the 76-year-old Bates shared her regret with director Rob Reiner and TCM host Dave Karger that Reiner toned down the gore from the Stephen King novel. She was especially disappointed about the alteration where Caan's character lost his foot or, as she put it, "They took that out. I didn't agree with that at all."
During their chat, Reiner also highlighted the contrasting acting styles of the two leads. Bates, a seasoned stage actress, yearned for more rehearsals, whereas Caan preferred to rely on his instincts. Evidently, they found a middle ground to work with.
Mind you, this discussion took place amidst the buzz for a new slasher flick, In a Violent Nature, set for release in 2025. This one's pushing the envelope with its gore and innovation in the horror genre - quite a change from Misery. So, it seems Bates' seminal role in the '90s might've lost something that sets current horror fans' hearts aflutter. Ouch!
- Rob Reiner, during his conversation with Kathy Bates at the 6th annual TCM Classic Film Festival, mentioned the contrast between their acting styles on the set of Misery, with Bates advocating for more rehearsals and Caan relying on his instincts.
- Although Kathy Bates received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery, she expressed her disappointment through a discussion with Reiner and TCM host Dave Karger, as the film had watered down some of the gore from Stephen King's novel.
- In her 2025 upcoming slasher flick, In a Violent Nature, Kathy Bates will work with a different style of horror, focusing on pushing the boundaries of gore and innovation.
- Kathy Bates' performance in Misery as the terrifying Annie Wilkes was a key factor in the film's success, but her remorse lies in the changed portrayal of Annie's over-the-top heinousness, such as the alteration where James Caan's characters lost his foot.
- While promoting In a Violent Nature, the IndieWire section of movies-and-tv entertainment highlighted Kathy Bates' interest in edgier horror content, moving away from her seminal role in Misery that sparked a more subdued take on terror in the '90s.
